Everybody loves a good family game night — up until it turns into a frustrating treasure hunt. With a growing collection oftabletop games, finding a good spot for everything can be tough. Where do you put all those boxes? How do you find the game you want to play without digging through a teetering tower? Well, this guide tells you how to store your board games more efficiently (and neatly).
Decluttering Your Collection
We all get attached to our games, but let’s be honest, some titles might not see the light of day as often as others. Maybe a game was a huge hit initially, but the novelty wore off. Perhaps you received a gift that just doesn’t quite fit your taste.
The first thing you want to do when organizing is to declutter unloved or underplayed games. Here’s how you can start:
Once you’ve identified some potential discards, don’t fret. You won’t have to throw away all these beauties, nope. Donation is a great option – giving pre-loved games a new life in a local library, community center, or children’s hospital. You could also try selling them online or at a board game swap meet.
Choosing The Right Storage Solution
Now, onto the fun part: creating your ideal board game haven! The first step is figuring out where these beauties will reside. Consider your available space – do you have a dedicated game closet, some sturdy shelves, or perhaps a free corner begging for a stylish storage cabinet? Next, assess your collection’s weight and size. Lighter games might be fine on open shelves, while heavier ones might need the sturdiness of a closed cabinet.
Here are some storage options to spark your imagination:
Shelving
Open shelves offer easy browsing, while closed shelves keep dust at bay. Think about storing frequently played games on open shelves and keeping the occasional games tucked away in closed cabinets. Vertical storage saves floor space, but horizontal lets you see all the game titles at a glance.
Cubby Units
Kallax shelves from Ikea are a popular choice for board game storage. Their cubbies are perfectly sized for most game boxes, and you can add drawers or doors for further organization.
Creative Storage
Ottomans and benches with built-in storage are a great way to add hidden functionality to your living space. Upcycling vintage suitcases or old furniture can also add a unique touch to your game storage.
Organization Hacks For Maximum Efficiency
Now that you have your storage solution, let’s get those games in order. Here are some organization hacks to make finding and playing your favorites a breeze:
Dividers
Shelf dividers come in various materials, from wood and plastic to wire mesh. Choose a material that complements your storage unit and provides the sturdiness you need.
For heavier games, opt for thicker, more supportive dividers.
Dividers can be adjustable or fixed.Adjustable dividers allow you to customize the space to fit different game box sizes. Fixed dividers might be more affordable, but they offer less flexibility.
Risers
Risers are essentially small shelves that elevate games to create extra vertical storage space. They come in different heights, so you can find ones that match the height of your shorter games. This way, you can stack games on top of each other without hiding the titles or making it difficult to access the bottom game.
Drawer Organizers
Drawer organizers are compartmentalized trays that fit perfectly inside drawers. They are available in various sizes and materials. Look for organizers with compartments that fit the specific components you need to store, such as dice, tokens, or poker chips. Some drawer organizers have built-in dividers that you can adjust to create custom compartments.
Labels
Label your game boxes, bins, and drawers. This makes it a breeze to find the game you want in seconds, no more rummaging required. Here are some ideas for labeling your games:
Are you in aparty gamemood? Or maybe you have a strategic itch that needs scratching? Organize your games by genre (resource building games,strategy games, etc.), playing time (short games,long games), or player count. This way, you can quickly find the perfect game for any occasion.
Taming Game Components
Those tiny tokens and cards can be a nightmare to keep track of. Luckily, there are ways you may avoid losing game components:
Additional Tips For Game Preservation
Your precious games deserve to be well-cared for! Here are some tips for keeping them in tip-top shape:
Final Thoughts
A well-organized board game collection isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about respect for the hobby and the joy these games bring. Imagine game nights where finding the perfect game takes seconds, not minutes. Picture components neatly organized, ready for immediate deployment. And let’s not forget the aesthetic satisfaction of a beautifully curated game haven!
So, take a deep breath, grab your sorting bins, and get ready to transform your board game collection from chaotic clutter to an organized haven of fun!
