Board games and card games can really bring families together, but let’s be honest—storing them gets messy fast. Scattered pieces, boxes toppling off shelves, and missing cards can turn game night into a headache.
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If you want to make game night less stressful, you need a system that keeps everything contained and easy to grab. When you actually sort and store your games, you get to spend more quality time with people you care about, instead of scrambling to find that one missing pawn.
A tidy game collection can turn any space from chaos to something that actually looks good and works for your family. With a few smart storage ideas and some simple habits, you can keep your games neat, welcoming, and ready for anyone to play.
Assess and Declutter Your Game Collection
First, gather every single game you own so you can actually see what you have. Check each one for missing bits or damage before you decide what stays in your organized collection.
Gather All Board Games and Card Games
Pull out every board game and card game from wherever they’re hiding—closets, cabinets, shelves, even storage bins. You need your whole collection in one spot before you can make sense of it.
Don’t forget to check under beds, in the basement, or in the kids’ rooms. Games have a sneaky way of migrating all over the house.
Set up a staging area on a big table or a clear patch of floor. It’s way easier to sort through everything if you’re not cramped.
Common hiding spots:
- Hall closets
- Entertainment centers
- Bedroom closets
- Garage shelves
- Attic boxes
Write down each game as you find it. This running list helps you avoid buying duplicates later.
Evaluate for Condition and Completeness
Open up every game box and check for missing pieces, damaged boards, or cards that have seen better days. If a game’s missing crucial parts and you can’t easily replace them, it’s probably not worth keeping.
Here’s what you might find:
Issue | Keep or Toss |
---|---|
Missing 1-2 game pieces | Keep, you can replace pieces |
Damaged box but complete game | Keep, just re-home it |
Missing instruction manual | Keep, rules are online |
Water damage or mold | Toss, not worth the risk |
Missing half the cards | Toss, too hard to fix |
Check card decks for bent or torn cards. A couple of rough cards in a big deck are fine, but too many makes the game unplayable.
Test if the boards fold up right and aren’t cracked. If you spot small tears, slap some clear tape on the back.
Decide What to Keep, Donate, or Sell
Hang onto games your family actually plays or that really mean something to you. Be honest—if nobody’s touched a game in over a year, maybe it’s time to let it go.
Keep these:
- Family favorites you play all the time
- Games for special occasions
- High-quality games in good shape
- Games that fit your home and routines
Let go of these:
- Duplicates or near-identical games
- Games nobody likes anymore
- Games missing too many parts
- Games that just don’t fit your family
Ask everyone which games they want before you donate or toss anything. Sometimes you’ll be surprised by what people want to keep.
If you’ve got expensive games in great shape, check their resale value. Popular titles can sell online or at local game shops.
Donate decent games to schools, libraries, or community centers. They’re usually happy to get complete games for their programs.
Categorizing Board Games and Card Games
When you sort your games by type, who plays them, and how often, you’ll find what you want way faster. Grouping by size and play frequency also helps you make the most of your shelves.
Sort by Game Type and Audience
Start by splitting your collection into board games and card games. It’s a simple way to get organized from the start.
Next, sort by who usually plays. Make a stack for kids’ games, another for adults, and one for everyone. This way, you can grab the right game for any group without digging.
Think about how complicated each game is. Put easy, quick games together, and keep the big strategy games in their own spot. Simple games work great for casual nights, while tougher games need more time and brainpower.
Label each category. Use bins or shelf sections for each group so everyone knows where to find (and put back) games.
Group by Size and Frequency of Play
Organize by box size. Stack small card games together, medium games in another spot, and keep the big boxes on sturdy shelves.
Think about how often you play each game. Keep your most-played games within easy reach. Stash the rarely played ones up high or in less-used spots.
Create a “favorites” section for games you play all the time. Keep those at eye level or wherever’s most convenient. It’ll save you time on game night.
Separate Party Games and Family Games
Party games deserve their own section. They’re perfect for big groups and lively nights, so keep them together for easy access when friends show up.
Family games should go in a separate area too. These are the ones you play with just your household, so make sure kids can reach them safely.
Party games can be oddly shaped or full of tiny pieces. Group them by size within their section to use space better.
Label these sections clearly. That way, you’re not digging through everything just to find the right game for the occasion.
Choosing the Right Storage Solutions
Your best storage option really depends on how many games you have, your space, and how often you play. Shelves are great for display and easy access, while containers protect pieces and save space.
Game Shelves and Shelving Units
Custom shelving units give you the most flexibility if you’ve got a big collection. You can design shelves to fit your game boxes perfectly.
Standard bookshelves work well for smaller collections. Look for adjustable shelves so you can fit boxes of different heights. Most games are about 12 inches deep, so keep that in mind.
Wall-mounted shelves save floor space and look pretty sleek. Install them at eye level so you can browse easily. Floating shelves look nice, but don’t put anything too heavy on them.
Cube storage systems with individual compartments are super versatile. Each cube fits a couple of standard games, and you can add more cubes as your collection grows.
Measure your games before you buy shelves. Big boxes like Gloomhaven need more height, while card games can fit in shorter spaces.
Game Closets and Dedicated Spaces
A dedicated game closet is the dream if you’ve got the space and a lot of games. Put in shelves all the way up to the ceiling to use every inch.
Use the closet door too—hang narrow shelves or pocket organizers for card games and accessories. Clear shoe organizers are perfect for small games or expansions.
Under-stair storage can become a secret game library. Pull-out drawers or rolling carts make it easy to grab games from deep spaces.
If you have an empty corner in a spare room, turn it into a game nook. Add comfy seats and good lighting so it’s both storage and play area.
Label everything in these spaces. Color-coded labels or a numbering system help you find games fast, especially if your closet goes deep.
Containers, Photo Boxes, and Zipper Pouches
Clear plastic containers keep games safe from dust and moisture, and you can see what’s inside at a glance. Pick containers a bit bigger than your boxes so nothing gets squished.
Photo boxes are awesome for card games and smaller board games. They stack well and are cheaper than fancy game storage. Acid-free boxes protect your games long-term.
Zipper pouches are lifesavers for loose pieces. Use different sizes for cards, dice, or tokens. Clear ones let you see what’s inside without opening them.
Tackle boxes are perfect for games with a ton of small parts. The little compartments keep everything sorted and safe.
Drawer systems with clear fronts let you organize by game or by type. Stack a few under tables or in closets for a complete, out-of-the-way storage solution.
How to Store Board Games for Easy Access
Smart storage placement and clear organization make grabbing a game quick and painless. The way you store games—vertical or horizontal—plus good labeling and a central spot, really streamlines things.
Storing Games Vertically vs. Horizontally
Vertical storage is usually best for most games. Stand them up like books so you can see all the titles.
This keeps boxes from getting crushed and lets you slide out any game without moving the rest.
Horizontal storage works for heavier games or ones with fragile pieces. Don’t stack more than three or four, or the boxes might get damaged.
Use horizontal storage for games with loose bits that could shift. Always put lighter games on top.
Custom shelves like Kallax or Billy bookcases are great for vertical storage. Adjust the shelves to fit your boxes.
For mixed collections, store the games you use most vertically, and stash the seasonal or rarely played ones horizontally in harder-to-reach spots.
Labeling Boxes and Containers
Clear labels make it so much easier to find and set up games. Write game names big and bold on the box spines.
Use waterproof labels so they don’t peel or fade. Keep label heights consistent for a tidy look.
For games in containers, put labels on the front and the top. You could even add player count or play time for quick decisions.
Color-coding helps too—use colored dots or tape to sort by type or difficulty.
Keep a master inventory list with shelf locations. Update it when you move or add games.
On clear bins, stick the label on the front corner so you can see it even when they’re stacked.
Maintaining a Central Game Storage Area
Pick one main area for all your games. This stops them from spreading everywhere.
Choose a spot that’s easy to get to—living room built-ins or family room shelves work great. Avoid high shelves or the basement for games you use a lot.
Keep the most popular games at eye level, around 30-60 inches high. Put kids’ games low so they can grab them safely.
Group similar games together by type, player count, or play time. This makes picking a game for the night way easier.
Make sure your storage area is well-lit. LED strip lights under shelves can help if it’s dark.
Leave some empty space for new games. Try to keep 20-30% of your shelf space open for future finds.
Specialized Storage Tips for Card Games and Small Pieces
Card games need a different approach—they’re easy to bend or lose. Small game pieces like dice or tokens need secure containers so nothing gets lost but everything’s still easy to grab.
Best Containers and Photo Boxes for Card Games
Photo boxes are perfect for card games. The 5×7 size fits most decks, and you can use the compartments for different sets.
Clear plastic containers are better than cardboard. You can see what’s inside without opening anything, which saves time.
Try these for card storage:
- Food containers from the dollar store
- Clean, empty soap boxes
- Clear cassette tape cases
- Small zipper pouches for travel
Keep cards in their tuck cases before putting them in bigger containers for extra protection.
Label everything with a white paint marker so you know what’s inside.
Organizing Dice, Tokens, and Game Components
Small pieces disappear fast, so use containers with tight lids. Tackle boxes are great because they have lots of little spaces.
Sort pieces by game, then by type. Keep all dice together, all tokens together, and all cards together for each game.
Best storage options for small pieces:
- Labeled mason jars
- Ice cube trays covered with plastic wrap
- Pill organizers for tiny tokens
- Small zipper pouches inside game boxes
Use clear bags inside boxes to keep pieces separated. This stops them from mixing if the box gets jostled.
Store everything at room temperature and away from heat or humidity. Basements and attics can wreck cards and warp plastic pieces.
Maintaining and Updating Your Organized Collection
Once you set up a good system for organizing board games, regular check-ins keep your collection tidy and your games in great shape. If you stick with a simple tracking and cleaning routine, you’ll avoid the headache of missing pieces or broken game parts.
Tracking Missing Pieces and Game Usage
Create a simple inventory system to keep tabs on your board game collection’s condition. Jot everything down in a notebook or make a digital spreadsheet that lists each game and its component status.
After each game night, check your games for missing pieces. Count the cards, tokens, and dice before you put them away. This habit can save you from that sinking feeling when you find something missing later.
Mark frequently played games in your tracker. You’ll probably need to replace parts in popular games sooner than in the ones that just gather dust. Some publishers actually sell replacement parts, so make a note of serial numbers and edition info.
Toss loose pieces into small plastic bags or containers inside each game box. Label these containers so you can keep things organized, even if the original insert falls apart.
You might want to snap a few photos of the contents in your more complicated games. Those photos make it easier to set up or double-check if you’re missing anything.
Rotate games regularly based on what you track. Move the games you rarely play up to higher shelves, and bring some forgotten favorites down to where you’ll actually see them.
Routine Cleaning and Refreshing of Storage
Set up monthly cleaning sessions for your board game storage area. Dust piles up fast on game boxes and shelves, especially if you’re using open storage.
Wipe down the game boxes with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Skip the harsh chemicals—they’ll just mess up the box art or cause annoying warping.
Let the boxes dry all the way before you put them back on the shelves. Don’t rush it, or you’ll regret it.
Reorganize your system seasonally so you can make room for new games. If you’ve got games nobody plays anymore, maybe donate them to a local library or a community center.
Take a look at your storage containers and shelves for any wear and tear. If you spot busted bins or need to shift shelf heights, go ahead and fix that as your collection changes.
Keep an eye out for moisture damage or pests while you clean. If you see any signs of humidity or bugs, just move the games somewhere safer.
Update your labeling system whenever you add new categories or switch things around. Fresh labels make it way easier for everyone in the house to find what they want.