7 ingenious ways to store board games, according to the organizers

Board games are a fun and easy activity for all ages, whether you’re playing together as a family or with a group of friends.

Cleaning up after the game should also be easy so no one is struggling to put the box back in the drawer or wondering where to put the game pieces. With a little planning and organization, your board game stash can be neat and tidy to make your next game night even better.

Get inspired by the best board game storage ideas rounded up by these organizing pros.

Place the boxes upright

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To keep the games neat and tidy, try placing the boxes upright, similar to books on a bookshelf.

“This method not only saves space, but it also makes it easier to pull out the game you want without disturbing the whole group,” says Michelle Rosen, certified professional organizer and founder of Hop to It Organizers, LLC.

Place games upright in a bookcase or cabinet with adjustable shelves so larger boxes can fit.

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Try Cube Storage Units

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Both experts agree that cube organizers are one of the best ways to organize board games.

“Bookcases, especially cube organizers, are great for storing board games,” says Christian Pfeiffer, owner of Valley Organizing.

“Each cube can fit several games or keep everything in sight when placed upright.”

Cube storage units are also useful for grouping games by use, making it even easier to find the one you have in mind. You can install cube shelves into an existing cabinet or buy stand-alone units, depending on whether you want the games to be kept in the cabinet or out in the open.

Invest in stackable bins

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Rosen also recommends stackable bins to organize your game collection.

“Invest in stackable bins specifically designed for game storage,” she says.

Stackable bins make it easy to see the outside of game boxes so you can avoid rummaging through cupboards or drawers and take advantage of vertical space in your cupboard or wardrobe.

Use cupboards or bookshelves

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Built-in cabinets or shelves for your living room are a sublime way to organize games and books, but a single bookshelf in the corner will also work and keep games hidden and tidy.

Cabinets with doors are another great place to keep board games, especially if you prefer a more streamlined look. Don’t forget to place games upright like books in a cabinet to save space and quickly identify where each game is.

Use a coffee table or ottoman for storage

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Use your existing furniture or hidden storage to hold board games.

“A coffee table with built-in storage, such as a pull-top or a table with drawers, can also work well, especially if you often play games in the family room,” says Pfeiffer.

This method keeps the games close to your entertainment areas and does not require the purchase of new items.

Save games to baskets

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Baskets are always a good option for organizing items – including board games. Pfeiffer says the baskets’ easy transport makes them a great option for running many games at once without creating visual clutter.

“Large bins with lids can be a good option – they’re easy to move around and provide a neat look,” he says.

Baskets are also versatile as your game collection grows or shrinks as they don’t take up much space. They can also be easily used for other things if you no longer need to store games in them.

Use the space under the furniture

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If you’re short on space, you may need to get creative with your storage solutions. Keep board games under large furniture and simply pull out the boxes to use as needed.

“Slim bins that slide under the bed or sofa can also work well if you need to make the most of every inch of space,” says Rosen.

This method also keeps colorful game boxes out of sight, which can be helpful if your space is sticking to a more neutral aesthetic.

FAQ

  • According to experts, bookshelves, cabinets and cube-shaped shelves are the best things to store board games. Cabinets and shelves work great for keeping games organized and can even hide boxes from view if they have cabinet doors.

  • Board games can be awkward to store, but placing them upright on a shelf like books helps them take up less space, according to organization experts. Adjust your shelves, if possible, to accommodate longer boxes. If you’re particularly short on space for board games, Rosen has another solution. “For compact storage, nest small play boxes inside larger boxes,” she says.

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