Have you ever lost a piece to a board game? Do you struggle with all the boxes being different sizes and trying to stack them on top of one another without having an avalanche of games every time you pull one out to play? Spend more time for family game nights, less searching with these board game storage organization ideas.
Board games are a great family activity, and we typically don’t pay much attention to the way we store and organize the games, but we always wish we did when we go to pull out a game. We’ve found some of the best board game storage ideas to help you streamline family game nights and make managing all those games just a little easier. No matter what type of storage space you have, there is a solution to your organization’s problem.
Stay Organized With These 17 Ways to Store Board Games
These organizational tips will give you back the space that has been wasted all these years! Streamlining the process of game night, while organizing even the most basic parts of your life. No matter what type of space you are working with, we have ideas that will work for you and allow you more time to focus on family game nights! In addition to great storage tips, some of these are multi-functional ideas that might just give your ‘space’ a new meaning.
1. DIY Rolling Game Table / Storage
Create a rolling game table to store and play games on. For this, I recommend finding a coffee table with a flat top and storage underneath. Add some wheels and you have yourself a rolling game table to store your family’s favorite board games. It’s great for storage, but it also doubles as a table to play your favorite board games. For example, who wouldn’t love to pull a rolling table up to the couch next time the kids want to play cards?
Related: More board game storage ideas
2. Plastic Storage Bins for Game Closet Organizers
Do you have an entire closet dedicated to just game boards? I bet your closet would really appreciate some plastic storage bins with plastic drawers instead of those old beat-up cardboard boxes. Plastic storage contains is much more durable than cardboard boxes, and let’s be honest. Most of the time, you cannot get everything back in the box the same way it came, so why do we expect our kids to be able to? Check out what Tiffany from Raising Lemons has to say about it. Contrary to the belief that Storage Bins take up a lot of space, the amount of space you are saving from no longer having lengthy awkward boxes will surprise you.
3. Cubby Storage Ideas that Organize While Still Functional
Cubby storage has become a household staple over the years. Cubby storage can be used to hold anything around your house. Having cubby storage specifically for board games, puzzles and other fun family activities is a great way to teach kids at a young age about organization. As a matter of fact, cubby storage comes in many different sizes and shapes. Not to mention, you can build it to fit the space you have. Get some fabric storage bins, stackable cubby cubes, plastic containers, and some storage baskets to hold all the different board games, puzzles, and other activities.
4. Headbands for Standing Storage are a Unique Organization Hack
If you prefer to store your board game boxes upright, you can use simple, cheap headbands. They are the perfect solution because they fit around most board game boxes. If you have girls, you probably have tons of these things lying around. The elastic headbands are the perfect size for this, and they are very inexpensive.
5. Organize Your Storage With Custom Labels
Create custom labels for each game. Another great thing to do is list how many pieces go inside the container, this is a great way to work on your child’s counting skills and make sure pieces are not getting lost. Why not try your hand at some custom labels? Just use an empty container and a pretty label to mark the game and the number of pieces to make sure you always have all the pieces in order to play your game.
6. A Simple But Functional Storage Method – Ziploc Bags and Baskets
Cut those cardboard boxes up and store board games inside Ziploc bags instead. This is going to shave a ton of space and leave you with a clean and clutter-free space. Grab a basket and some Ziploc bags. Cut out the game’s instructions and cover, pop them in the Ziploc baggie, and you’re all set to go.
Here’s what you need:
- A Basket
- Scissors
- Gallon Size Ziploc Bags
- Your Favorite Board Games
7. Use Wire Pan Rack to Create a DIY Verticle Stand for Board Games
Wire pan racks make storing items vertical instead of flat a breeze. Now your board games can be stored on their side without having to worry about pieces falling out or moving all the boxes while you try to get a specific one. Keep boxes upright and in their places with a wire pan rack.
8. Create Your Very Own DIY Ladder Shelf for Decorative Storage
If you lack storage space and want your board games to be easily accessible, we recommend trying this unique DIY storage hack. Do you have an old ladder lying around? Repurposed ladders work well for projects like this. It can easily accommodate many different size boxes, and it looks terrific as a fun display in the family room or playroom. Try out this repurposed ladder shelf.
9. Game Board Storage Art – Turn Your Walls Into Functional Artwork
Speaking of fun displays, this is by far one of my favorites. Turn your game into a fun game board storage art project. Display your board games as art instead of storing them on shelves. Just put the pieces in a bag on the backside, and put the board game in a frame. What a fun idea!
10. Hanging Closet Organizer – Make Great Use of that Otherwise Wasted Vertical Space
A hanging closet organizer allows you to make use of vertical space and hide those board games in a closet to get them out of the way. Not everyone is proud of their board game selection and wants it on display. We get that!
11. Cheese Container for Storing Card Games
If your family is anything like mine, opening and closing those tiny cardboard boxes is frustrating, and normally the tabs that hold the box closed get ripped off or the edges are torn when pulling the cards out. The box doesn’t close properly, and then my kid pulls it off the shelf, and next thing I know, it’s 52 card pick-up time! You can find these cheese containers for cheap at your local dollar store. Junk the cardboard box and keep your cards nice and straight. When you cannot find a cheese container, a traveling soap container works well too.
12. Scrapbook Cases – See Through and Functional
If you can get scrapbook cases while they are on sale, you can get them for as low as $3/piece. I really enjoy the size 12 x 12 because it seems to work well for the majority of the board games we have. I love that they are clear. In addition, you can even label them if you choose to do so.
13. Scrapbook Pouches Save a Ton of Space So You Can Fit More Board Games In a Smaller Area
Scrapbook pouches also work extremely well, especially if you want to fit your board games into an even smaller space. Since some of us don’t have a whole shelf or closet to devote to board games, we wanted to make sure we offered a super space-saving option.
14. Take Your Pencil Box Crafting to the Next Level
For another card game alternative, try different-sized pencil boxes. They come in all kinds of fun colors, so it’s easy to find the one you need in a pinch. Pencil boxes are easy to stack, open, and store. They are the perfect solution for smaller puzzles, card games, and more.
15. Index Card Boxes for Smaller Storage Needs
Index card boxes are a very inexpensive way to save space and because these sell for less than $1 at Walmart and local dollar stores, they are affordable. What a great, super affordable organizational tool. This storage hack will not fit larger board games. However, it is a great solution for decks of cards, so you are not wasting space.
16. Using Plastic Containers to Store/Roll Dice
Kids are always losing dice. You have those kids who shake the dice so hard that they roll off the table every time. Or you have kids who try to roll the dice so lightly that they are not REALLY rolling the dice. (Is it just me? Am I the only one bothered by board games with dice and kids?) Because of this, I think this one is my favorite. Put the dice in a small plastic container. with a flat top and flat bottom. Not only are these great for storing the dice, but you can also leave the dice in the container, shake it, and then set it down on the table for each turn. Most importantly, no more losing dice or chasing them after each roll! Genius!
17. Creative DIY Gaming Tower Swivel Organizer
Remember those old CD displays that swiveled, and you could look at all your CDs or movies by just turning the display case? It’s the same idea, but way cooler! Isn’t this gaming tower swivel organizer brilliant? Not only does it house the board games, but the game console controllers and accessories are attached to the pegboard on one of the other sides. It is so versatile.
Best Way to Keep Board Games Organized?
- Throw out games with missing pieces
- Make sure all pieces of the game fit properly inside their designated containers
- Donate the games you don’t play
- Teach your family how the organization functions
