Do you have board games scattered all over your house? You’re not alone. Many families struggle with keeping their growing game collection neat and tidy.
Games end up shoved in closets, stacked in wobbly towers, or spread across multiple rooms where pieces get lost.
The good news is that organizing board games doesn’t have to be hard. With a few simple tricks and some basic supplies, you can turn your messy pile into a well-organized system.
These storage ideas will help you find games quickly, keep all the pieces together, and make cleanup a breeze. Plus, when games are easy to access, your family will actually play them more often.
This Guide will show you simple storage strategies, step-by-step organization tips, and creative solutions for small spaces.
Why Board Game Storage Matters
Good storage does more than just make your space look tidy. When games are organized properly, you’ll actually play them more often because they’re easy to find and set up.
Proper storage also protects your investment. Board games can be expensive, and losing pieces or damaging boxes means you might have to replace entire games. A good storage system keeps everything safe and in working order.
Plus, organized games make cleanup faster after game night. When everyone knows where things go, putting games away becomes quick and painless instead of a big chore.
How to Store Board Games
Before diving into the details, let’s cover the three main principles that make any board game storage system work well. These simple strategies form the foundation of a good organization.
- Stand games upright like books – This lets you see all titles at once and grab what you want without moving other boxes around.
- Use adjustable shelving – Board game boxes come in different heights, so flexible shelves help you maximize your storage space.
- Secure boxes with rubber bands – Wrap each box to keep lids tight and prevent pieces from spilling when stored vertically.
- Keep original packaging – The colorful artwork helps kids identify games, and built-in trays organize pieces for free.
- Group games by type – Put card games together, board games together, and puzzles together so everyone knows where to look.
Get Your Storage Supplies Ready
You don’t need fancy or expensive supplies to organize your games. Here are the basic items that will make a big difference:
| Supply | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Resealable plastic bags | Store loose pieces like dice, cards, and tokens |
| Large rubber bands | Secure box lids when storing upright |
| Clear plastic bins | Hold oversized or oddly shaped games |
| Plastic card cases | Keep card games uniform and stackable |
| Clear packing tape | Repair damaged or worn box corners |
Most of these items are likely already at home. If not, you can find them at any dollar store or grocery store.
Step-by-Step Organization Process
Ready to tackle your game collection? Follow these simple steps to transform your storage area from chaos to order. Take your time with each step for the best results.
Step 1: Empty Everything Out
Take all your games out of their current storage spot and put them in a central location like your dining table or living room floor.
This complete emptying gives you a clear view of your entire collection and lets you clean the storage area properly.
Pro Tip: Take a photo of your game pile before you start sorting. It’s fun to compare the before and after shots!
Step 2: Sort and Purge Your Collection
Go through each game one by one and check that all the pieces are there. Open boxes, count cards, and make sure dice and tokens haven’t gone missing.
Set aside any games that are incomplete, damaged beyond repair, or that your family never plays anymore.
Create three piles: keep, donate, and trash. Be honest about which games you actually play – there’s no point keeping something that just takes up space.
Pro Tip: If you find games with just one or two missing pieces, contact the manufacturer before getting rid of them. Many companies will send replacement parts for free.
Step 3: Prepare Games for Storage
Put all small pieces like dice, cards, and tokens into separate plastic bags within each game box. Label the bags if needed so you know what goes where during setup.
This extra step prevents pieces from getting mixed up or lost when boxes are moved around.
After bagging the pieces, wrap each game box with a large rubber band around the middle. This keeps the lid tight and secure when the box is stored upright.
Pro Tip: Use different colored bags for different types of pieces (red for dice, blue for cards) to make setup even faster.
Step 4: Arrange Games on Shelves
Stand your games up vertically on the shelves, just like books in a library. Organize them in whatever way makes most sense for your family – by age group, game type, size, or even alphabetically.
Put the games you play most often at eye level where they’re easiest to see and reach.
Leave a little extra space on each shelf so you can easily slide games in and out. Don’t pack them too tightly, or you’ll have trouble getting them out when you want to play.
Pro Tip: Create a simple family “game menu” by writing down your favorites on a small card and keeping it with your collection.
Creative Board Game Storage Ideas for Small Spaces
Don’t have a lot of room for a big game collection? These clever storage solutions help you make the most of every inch in your home. Try one or combine several ideas to create the perfect setup for your space.
1. Floating Shelves on Walls
Install floating shelves in your playroom or family room to display your favorite games right on the wall.
This turns your game collection into colorful wall decor while keeping games visible and accessible. Choose shelves that are deep enough to hold game boxes securely without them falling off.
2. Over-the-Door Shoe Organizers
Hang a clear shoe organizer on the back of a closet door to store thin games and card decks. Each pocket can hold multiple card games or small box games perfectly.
This solution uses space you probably weren’t using anyway and keeps games dust-free.
3. Magazine Holders as Game Storage
Repurpose wooden or plastic magazine holders to corral smaller games on your existing bookshelves. These holders keep games from falling over and create neat sections on your shelves.
You can find magazine holders at dollar stores and office supply shops for very little money.
4. Under-Bed Rolling Storage
Use shallow plastic bins with wheels to store games under beds or couches. This works especially well for games you don’t play as often but want to keep accessible.
Choose clear bins so you can see what’s inside without having to pull them all the way out.
5. IKEA Kallax Cube Storage
Invest in cube storage units like IKEA’s Kallax series to create dedicated game storage that looks built-in.
These cubes are perfectly sized for most board games, and you can add fabric bins for smaller items. Stack multiple units or arrange them side by side to fit your space.
6. Closet Rod Game Hanging
Install a tension rod in a closet and use clip-on hangers to hang lightweight games in clear bags. This works great for card games and small box games that would otherwise get lost on shelves.
You can flip through them like files to find what you want.
7. Coffee Table with Storage
Choose a coffee table that has built-in storage drawers or shelves underneath. This keeps your most-played games right in your main living area where you’ll actually use them.
It’s perfect for families who do most of their gaming in the living room.
Community Recommendations and Insights
Real families who’ve tried these storage methods have shared their experiences and best practices. Their tried-and-true advice can help you avoid common mistakes and get better results from your organization’s efforts.
Common Reader Advice
Over the years, families have shared their best tips for keeping board games organized. Here are the most helpful pieces of advice that come up again and again:
Store games vertically for easier access and less risk of stacks collapsing. This simple change makes a huge difference in how quickly you can find and grab games.
Adjust shelf heights to maximize storage and reduce wasted space. Don’t settle for shelves that leave big gaps above your games.
Measure and audit your game collection before purchasing new storage supplies. Know what you’re working with before you spend money on organizers.
Product Recommendations
These tried-and-true products will help keep your board games organized, protected, and accessible:
- Ziploc Slider Storage Bags (Gallon, 32 ct) – Great for sorting cards, dice, and tokens inside game boxes. Easy to open and reseal.
Amazon – $5-6 - Alliance Rubber Bands (Assorted Sizes, 1 lb) – Durable rubber bands that fit around game boxes and keep lids secure.
Amazon – $12-13 - IKEA Kallax 8-Cube Storage Unit – A favorite among board gamers for its perfect fit for most box sizes.
IKEA – $79.99-90 - DYMO Label Maker with Extra Tape – Helps label bins, bags, and categories clearly for fast access.
Amazon – ~$25
Additional Resources
Looking for even more inspiration or help from fellow board game lovers? These online communities are packed with ideas and real-life solutions:
- r/Boardgames on Reddit – Search for “storage ideas” to find popular discussions, photo setups, and real-world tips.
- r/Organization – A helpful space for all things tidying and organizing, many ideas can be adapted for games.
Keep Your System Working
Once you have everything organized, it’s important to maintain your system. Do a quick cleanup after each game night, making sure pieces go back in the right bags and boxes return to their spots.
Every few months, go through your collection again. Remove games that kids have outgrown or that the family doesn’t enjoy anymore. This keeps your collection fresh and prevents overcrowding.
If you lose game pieces, don’t panic. Many game companies will send replacement parts if you contact them. You can also find missing pieces online through various gaming communities.
Final Thoughts
A well-organized game collection makes family game night so much more fun. No more digging through piles of boxes or dealing with missing pieces.
With these simple storage solutions, you’ll spend less time looking for games and more time playing them. Your family will love how easy it is to find their favorites.
The key is to find a system that works for your family and your space. When you have a dedicated game closet or just a single shelf, these ideas can help you maximize your space.
Start small, be consistent, and enjoy your newly organized game collection. Game night just got a whole lot easier!
What storage tricks have worked best for your family? Share your own board game organization tips in the comments below!
