How to Organize Video Game Consoles and Accessories: The Ultimate System

Let’s face it, gaming setups can spiral into chaos if you don’t stay on top of organization. Controllers end up everywhere, cables twist into knots behind your TV, and somehow, your favorite game is always in the last place you look.

All this clutter isn’t just annoying—it makes your space look messy and can turn finding your games into a real headache.

The trick to organizing video game consoles and accessories? Give everything its own home, but make sure you can still grab your go-to stuff easily. Smart storage solutions can totally revamp your gaming area, turning it from a disaster zone into a functional entertainment space that actually makes you want to sit down and play.

Whether you’re a one-console kind of person or your collection spans decades, setting up the right system protects your gear and gives you a space you’re happy to show off. Picking the right furniture, taming those wild cables, and showing off your game library—these strategies will help you create a gaming setup that looks good and works even better.

Assess and Prepare Your Gaming Area

Getting an organized gaming space starts with taking a look at what you have and what you actually use. Inventorying your consoles, accessories, and space helps you build a system that fits your stuff—not someone else’s.

Evaluate Your Current Gaming Setup

Walk around your gaming area and check out where you stash your consoles and gear. Take a look at your entertainment center, shelves, or desk, and ask yourself what’s working and what just isn’t.

Make sure your consoles have enough room to breathe. They need about six inches of space around their vents to avoid overheating.

Notice where your controllers, cables, and games pile up. These messy spots usually mean you need better storage there.

Measure your available space including:

• Width and height of shelves
• Depth of cabinets or entertainment centers
• Floor space for storage bins
• Wall space for anything you want to mount

Take a few photos of your setup from different angles. You’ll want these for reference when you’re planning changes.

Jot down what bugs you most about finding your games or accessories. Maybe it’s tangled cables, missing controllers, or just games scattered everywhere.

Declutter Unused Consoles and Accessories

Go through your whole game collection and all your accessories. Make three piles: keep, sell or donate, and not sure.

Get rid of broken controllers you can’t fix. Test old console cables to see if they still work.

Think about letting go of stuff you haven’t touched in over a year:

• Games you finished and won’t replay
• Extra controllers that won’t hold a charge
• Old accessories for systems you don’t even own anymore
• Duplicate cables or adapters

Be honest with yourself about which consoles you actually use. If one’s been unplugged for ages, maybe it’s time to store or sell it.

Hang on to instruction manuals only for tricky accessories or new stuff under warranty. Most game manuals are online anyway.

Box up seasonal things like party games you only pull out for holidays.

Create an Inventory of All Items

Write down every console, controller, and major accessory you plan to keep in your gaming area. This helps you avoid buying duplicates and lets you figure out what storage you’ll need.

A simple spreadsheet or even a notebook works great for tracking:

Count your games by system to see how much storage you really need. Most game cases are about 0.6 inches thick, if you’re curious.

Note anything missing like:

• Power cables for certain consoles
• Charging stations for wireless controllers
• Original cases for loose cartridges

Snap photos of rare or valuable stuff for insurance. It’s also handy if you need to check model numbers later.

Update your inventory when you buy new games or gear. That way, your system stays up to date and you don’t run out of space.

Selecting Storage Solutions for Consoles and Accessories

The right storage can turn a cluttered gaming area into an organized, easy-to-use space that keeps your gear safe. Choose furniture that fits your collection now, but gives you room to grow, and pick smaller organizers for cables and controllers.

Choosing the Right Storage Furniture

Entertainment centers are usually the heart of a gaming setup. Pick ones with adjustable shelves so you can fit consoles of different heights. Ventilation really matters—go for open backs or built-in vents to keep things cool.

The IKEA KALLAX system is super flexible for game storage. Add glass shelves to double your storage in each cube. You can fit up to 16 consoles in an 8-cube unit if you set it up right.

Modular shelving systems grow with your collection. They’re great for big consoles and smaller accessories. Adjustable shelf heights help you use vertical space better.

If you don’t have much to store, repurpose shoe display shelves. Stack them between bookcases for more stability. They’re surprisingly good for showing off vintage controllers and handhelds.

Storage ottomans give you two-in-one solutions. You can sit on them and stash controllers, cables, or games inside.

Utilizing Baskets, Bins, and Drawers

Labeled plastic bins help you keep cables sorted and easy to find. Store each console’s cords in a separate container to avoid tangles. You don’t need to spend much—dollar store bins work fine.

Drawer organizers turn messy drawers into neat storage. Use dividers to keep accessories apart so you don’t lose little things like memory cards or batteries.

Storage bins with snap lids protect gear if you’re putting it away for a while. Put consoles in cardboard boxes first, then into bins for extra protection. This keeps dust and damage away.

Clear containers are best for stuff you use a lot. You can see what’s inside without opening everything. Stackable bins help you use vertical space.

Store game cases in their own bins. Sort them by console or alphabetically so you can grab what you want fast.

Implementing Wall-Mounted Racks

Aluminum pegboards are awesome for hanging controllers and light guns. They stop things from getting squished and look cool, too. Hang them at a comfortable height for easy grabbing.

Wall-mounted shelves free up floor space. Put floating shelves above your entertainment center to show off collectibles or stash less-used consoles.

Vertical racks make use of narrow wall spaces. Mount them between furniture to use every inch. They fit all sorts of controller shapes and sizes.

Hook systems are a simple fix for headset storage. Put hooks inside cabinets or on walls to keep headsets neat and untangled.

Try cabinet-mounted racks inside your storage furniture. These hidden racks keep accessories organized and your living room looking tidy.

Organizing Video Game Consoles

Where you put your consoles and how you store them really sets the tone for your gaming setup. Smart placement makes things easy to reach and keeps your gear safe from damage or overheating.

Placement and Accessibility

Keep your consoles at eye level or just below, so you can reach power buttons and disc slots without stretching. Don’t stack consoles on top of each other—it blocks airflow and can cause overheating.

Leave at least 4-6 inches of space around every console. Good airflow keeps them running cool.

Best spots for your consoles:

• Open shelves in your entertainment center
• Dedicated stands with vents
• Wall-mounted shelves that are deep enough
• Media cabinets with open backs for cords

Keep the consoles you use most close to where you sit. Put older or seasonal systems higher up or in less convenient spots.

Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources like radiators. Too much heat can wreck your console’s insides.

Safe Storage for Multiple Consoles

Use shelf risers or tiered stands to stack consoles vertically. This saves space and keeps air flowing between them.

Install sturdy shelves that can handle the weight. Most shelves hold 30-50 pounds, but reinforced ones can take up to 75.

Good storage options for collections:

• Kallax units with adjustable cubes
• Wire mesh shelves for max airflow
• Custom built-ins sized for your consoles
• Rolling carts if you like to move your setup

Label each section by console type to stay organized. Use cable management tools to stop cords from tangling.

Store backup or vintage consoles in protective cases when you’re not using them. If you still have the original box, use it for rarely played systems—it’s the best protection.

Efficient Controller and Accessory Organization

Controllers and gaming accessories need their own storage to keep clutter down and prevent damage. The right holders and charging stations keep everything in order, while special storage keeps headsets and other gear handy.

Controller Holders and Charging Stations

Wall-mounted displays are perfect for showing off special edition controllers. Stick them up with heavy-duty adhesive strips near your gaming area.

Charging stations solve two problems at once—your controllers stay organized and always charged.

On a budget? Try these:

• Drawer organizers in your entertainment center
• Small baskets for shelves
• Cup hooks inside cabinet doors

Desktop charging docks are great for everyday controllers. Some charge more than one at a time and have LED lights to show charging status.

Cabinet storage keeps dust off your controllers. Add shelves or dividers in drawers to make custom spaces for each one.

Think about the shape of your controllers when picking storage. Different systems mean different sizes and charging ports.

Organizing Headsets and Other Accessories

Headset hangers protect ear cushions and headbands. Mount them on the wall near your chair or clip them to your desk.

You can make a simple hanger with a wooden dowel and two brackets. It looks nice and keeps your headset easy to grab.

Other accessories like battery packs and USB cables need their own spots:

• Use small bins for loose stuff
• Hang cup hooks with binder clips for cables
• Mount office organizers to the wall

Drawer organizers are perfect for batteries, charging cables, and adapters.

Over-the-door shoe organizers work for all kinds of accessories. The clear pockets make it easy to find what you need.

Keep what you use most where you can reach it. Store backup gear in less handy spots.

Cable Management for a Tidy Setup

Good cable management keeps your gaming area neat and stops wires from getting out of control. Bundling and using the right tools makes everything look cleaner and makes it way easier to plug and unplug devices.

Bundling and Labeling Cables

First, sort your cables by what they do. Keep power cords away from audio and video cables to avoid interference.

Cable ties are great for setups that don’t change much. Bundle cables that run along desks or behind furniture.

Velcro straps are more flexible than zip ties. You can open and close them easily if you add or move devices.

Label your cable bundles with:

• Colored tape
• Small tags with device names
• Colored cable ties that match your consoles

Label both ends of long cables. It saves time when you’re fixing connections or moving stuff around.

Bundle each console’s cables separately from the others.

Using Cable Management Tools

Cable clips stick to desk edges or furniture to guide wires and keep them from falling.

Cable sleeves hide several wires in one tube for a tidy look. They’re best for cables going in the same direction, like from your TV to the wall.

Here are some cable management tools and where they work best:

Run cables behind furniture when you can. Leave a few inches of slack so connectors don’t get yanked if you move stuff.

Use shorter cables if possible. Extra length just makes more mess.

Storing and Displaying Video Games

Organizing your games isn’t just about storage—it’s about protecting your collection and making it easy to find what you want. The right methods keep discs and cases safe while letting you show off your library.

Game Disc and Case Storage

Alphabetical organization usually works best for most game collections. Start by sorting games by console, then alphabetize them within each system category.

Try to keep game discs in their original cases whenever you can. The original packaging protects against scratches and dust better than anything else, honestly.

Storage solutions include:

• IKEA BILLY bookcases, which let you adjust the shelves
• Clear plastic containers for cartridges
• DVD storage binders if you want to save space
• Wall-mounted shelves for easy access

Store your games vertically, like books. This helps prevent warping and makes it easier to read the titles.

Climate control matters. Keep your games away from direct sunlight, heat, or humid spots. Temperature swings can really mess up both discs and cases over time.

If you use bins or drawers, make sure you label the storage containers clearly. It saves a ton of time when you’re hunting for a specific title.

Cataloging and Showcasing Game Collections

Digital catalogs make it a lot easier to keep track of big collections. With online databases, you can log what you actually own and steer clear of buying duplicates.

Try creating eye-catching displays with dedicated gaming furniture. Put your consoles and games together on the same shelf, then set up themed sections for each system. It just feels more organized that way.

Display techniques:

• Switch up console placement (left or right) on different shelves
• Stack games with glass shelves to add extra storage in cube organizers
• Put special editions or rare games right at eye level
• Keep your go-to games somewhere you can grab them fast

Maybe think about rotating which games you display every season. That way, your collection always feels new, and the less-played titles stay safe in storage.

Protect valuable games by using dust covers or display cases. Rare or collectible titles really deserve some extra care to guard against handling and whatever the environment throws at them.