The 15 best ways to organize board games without cramping your style or space

If you don't know where and how to store your board games, this is the perfect time to delve into some smart ideas.

With cooler weather coming and a season of indoor hosting upon us, those board games are going to get more use than any other time of year. We spoke to experts including interior designers and professional organizers to learn the best ways to organize and store your board games around the house, with rolling games carts and games nooks among their smart suggestions.

Good storage ideas for your collection of games will retain their integrity and pieces without compromising your decor, or taking up more room than you're willing to give them.

Organizing your board games

Joseph Passalcqua, CEO of cleaning company Maid Sailors, says, 'Before investing in bins, labels, and other organizing essentials, be clear on your immediate purpose. Are you storing board games to avoid clutter now, but want to access them easily on weekends and regular game nights or do you want to preserve it for special occasions?'

Knowing this will help you pick a strategic storage solution that's best for you, whether it's living room storage, bedroom, or elsewhere. There's no point picking an air tight container in the attic if you have games nights every weekend.

Interior designer Nina Lichtenstein adds, 'Organizing your board games doesn’t have to be a chore. It’s an opportunity to enhance your home’s functionality and style. By incorporating some of these storage solutions, you can keep your games accessible, well-organized, and perfectly in sync with your home’s aesthetic. Whether you’re a casual player or a serious collector, there’s a storage solution that will work for you, ensuring that game night is always just a grab away.'

1. Rolling games cart

Nina says, 'A rolling library cart can be a fun and functional way to store your games, especially if you like to move them from room to room. Organize the games on the cart and roll it out when it's game time. This method is particularly useful for small spaces, where versatility is key.'

She recommends the Vasagle Rolling Cart from Amazon, which is a slimline bar cart idea and has sturdy handles for easy rolling. It comes in two widths and colors.

If you have too many games to store all of them in a cart, storage solution expert and CEO of Juujbox, Ali Mirdamadi suggests creating a rotating game library. 'Select a few games at a time and keeping them on display in a designated area.'

This could be a rolling cart, or if that isn’t quite your style, a storage cube. Ali recommends the stackable Closetmaid from Amazon, which comes in nine colors and eight configurations.

He adds, 'You can rotate the games every few weeks or months to keep things interesting and prevent clutter from building up. This also allows for easier decision-making when it comes to choosing a game for family game night.

Daniel Brown, cleaning expert and CEO of handycleaners.com recommends making the most of your rolling cart by adding snacks and drinks, bringing the fun to whichever room you and your friends, family or loved ones are. Daniel recommends the Honey Can Do Rolling Utility Cart in chrome from Amazon for added mobility and ease.

2. Designate a shelf, cabinet or closet

Nina Lichtenstein, says, 'As an interior designer, I believe board game storage should be as stylish as it is practical, seamlessly blending into your home's aesthetic while keeping your collection accessible. You can do it by designating a shelf, cabinet or closet to keep your board games organized and easily accessible.'

She recommends choosing a piece that complements your home’s decor. 'Open shelving units, like the IKEA KALLAX, allow you to display games while keeping them within reach. For a more concealed look, opt for a closed cabinet with doors, such as the Sauder HomePlus Storage Cabinet available on Amazon.'

If you have a spare closet, you can turn it into a board game haven. Nina adds, 'Install adjustable shelving to accommodate different box sizes, and use the closet door for additional storage by hanging over-the-door organizers for smaller games and accessories. This approach keeps your collection neatly out of sight but easy to access.'

Nina likes the SimpleHouseware Over Door Organizer from Amazon which has handy clear windows to let you glimpse contents without having to remove anything.

I have used a sideboard in our living room for our most used games so our daughter, who is eight, can access and tidy them away easily, pictured above. It was a good decluttering exercise to, and I used my favorite 'didn't know' decluttering trick to quickly make space for these games.

Whichever space you allocate for your board games, Ashley Hines professional organizer and founder of Thee Tailored Life says, 'If you are keeping the games in their original boxes, determine a system, be it color-coordinated, size, or type of game (family, adult, cards, for example). If you keep them in open shelving, I recommend putting them in a large open-top bin for easy access.'

Ashley also notes filing the games makes them more accessible and easier to maintain than stacking them.

3. Utilize vertical space

Jim Christy, managing director of Midwest Cards, a sports trading card retailer says, 'In our home, we’re big on family game nights, so keeping board games organized is important. One effective way to manage board games is by storing them vertically in clear, labeled bins. This not only saves space but also makes it easy to see and access the games without creating a mess.'

Jim and his family also use a dedicated shelf in their living room as a display area for the games they play most often. He adds, 'For smaller pieces like dice or cards, consider using small plastic containers within the game box to keep everything together.

Going for vertical storage is a great space-saving hack, but also a fabulous fix if you are short on space in the room or area you wish to keep your games.

Designer Nina explains, 'Wall-mounted shelves or floating shelves such as the SONGMICS Floating Wall Shelves on Amazon can be a great way to store board games without taking up valuable floor space. Arrange games by size or theme to make the display both functional and visually appealing. This method also turns your game collection into a form of art, adding personality to your walls.

The product above which Nina recommends comes in three widths and colors, and has a small front lip to stop items falling off.

4. Label, categorize and organize

Wherever you decide to store your games, having an organized approach to your collection will be helpful. Nina recommends categorizing by type, such as family games, strategy games, or party games. 'Label the shelves or storage boxes accordingly,' Nina says. 'This method not only makes it easier to find a game but also helps maintain order after a game night.

Nina likes the Mantah Chalkboard Labels from Amazon which are reusable, and waterproof.

Amanada Schmitt, owner of Life As Mama, says, 'When working with clients, I often suggest using cabinets with dividers to keep each game separate. For example, in a pantry or linen closet, install shallow cabinets and use drawer dividers to create sections for each game. This keeps all of the pieces together in one spot. Be sure to label each section clearly. Using photos of the game boxes can also help in places where a label may not stick well.'

5. Stackable storage bins

Nina says, 'Stackable bins or baskets are perfect for smaller games, or those that come in non-standard boxes. These bins can be tucked away in closets, under beds, or even on bookshelves. Choose bins with lids to keep dust out and consider clear options so you can easily see what’s inside, such as the IRIS 19 Qt Stacklable Storage Bins With Lids from Amazon.

6. Unbox games

Ashley Hines, professional organizer, recommends unboxing games to save on the amount of storage space you will need. She says, 'We often feel guilty about removing items from their original packaging, but remember that the boxes are designed to transport the items to you. You don't need to keep things in their original packaging if it makes them harder to access or less efficient to store.'

Ashley likes using zipper mesh bags when organizing games in her clients homes. She says, 'These EOOUT Mesh Zipper bags from Amazon come in various sizes and colors, with labels and without. Once unboxed, store the bags.'

If the instructions or rules to the game are printed on the box, simply cut it out along with any warnings, age ratings or guidance information you'd like to keep and store that flattened piece of card inside the zipper bag.

7. Repurpose furniture

Nina is a big fan of re-purposing furniture you already have to create a space to store your board games. She says, 'If space is tight, look for multi-functional furniture that can double as storage. For example, a storage ottoman can house your board games while also serving as extra seating or a coffee table. Similarly, a bench with storage underneath is perfect for keeping games hidden but accessible. I like the Simpli Home Avalon Storage Ottoman available on Amazon.'

Nina's pick comes in 17 different colors as well as three sizing and feature configurations.

Ali Mirdamadi, CEO of Juujbox adds, 'Look for cabinets with adjustable shelves so you can customize the storage to fit different-sized boxes. I helped a client convert a vintage armoire into a board game cabinet. We added custom shelving to fit their game collection perfectly, transforming a piece of furniture into a functional and stylish storage solution. You can also use labeled storage bins or baskets inside the cabinet to keep smaller pieces organized.

8. Custom built-ins

Nina says custom built-ins, whilst pricey, are a great investment. She explains, 'For those who are serious about their board game collection, custom built-ins can be the ultimate solution. Design built-in shelving around your game collection, integrating it into your living space in a way that feels intentional and cohesive. This option is particularly useful for large collections or for homes with a dedicated game room.'

I had custom-built floor to ceiling closets built in our primary bedroom and the price wasn't all too different from freestanding furniture and it helped us immensely in making the most of our vertical space, and using up every inch of the chosen wall we could. We configured each of the single closets to have shelves, drawers, or hanging space to suit each purpose and now we have space we can dedicate to household items like games if we wish.

9. Game-specific storage solutions

You can also use very game specific organizers available via specialist sites. Nina recommend The Broken Token.

She says, 'Certain games come with many pieces, making it difficult to keep everything in one place. Invest in game-specific storage solutions, like custom inserts or containers that hold all the components neatly. This is especially helpful for games with lots of small parts, like Catan or Risk.'

You can also get your own by measuring up the space you need and ordering a set of matching storage boxes with windows for quick view or labeling.

10. Stylish baskets

Incorporate stylish baskets for a more casual approach, Nina recommends. She says, 'Use decorative baskets to store games. These can be placed on the floor next to a bookshelf, under a console table, or even as part of a room's decor. Wicker baskets or fabric storage bins add a cozy, homey feel while keeping your games contained.'

11. In kids’ rooms

Amanada Schmitt, mom of two young children and owner of Life As Mama has a lot of experience organizing board games. She says, 'For my own home, I store our board games on a bookshelf in our playroom so the kids can easily grab them. I separate the games by age appropriateness to make it easy for the kids to choose.'

She advises regularly going through your game collection to slim it down. Amanada explains, 'Purge any missing, damaged or unused games. Donating old games is a great way to make space for new favorites. Keeping your collection pared down will make organizing what’s left so much easier.

12. Themed games nook

Nathan Thorne, interior designer, professional organizer and CEO of Handy Flowers says, 'A nook for gaming will make a difference in the experience. In one such case, an unused closet was used to create a retro-themed nook for our client who loves to play older generation games. Built-in shelving and mood lighting were used, adding not only organization for neat storage of games but also a special corner in the home that was truly devoted to fun and relaxation.'

Daniel Brown, of Handy Cleaners prefers a game library with glass doors. He says, 'Turn your bookshelf into a game library with glass doors. This was the elegant solution I used with clients who have an extensive game collection. The glass doors can keep dust from the games, yet still show them off as if in some curated fashion. I would highly recommend the Sauder Barrister Lane Bookcase for both its style and functionality.

13. Over door storage

A smart storage space but especially for board game lovers who might access their collection daily, weekly or regularly enough to have them on hand in this way. Over the door storage options are plentiful, ranging from metal, wood to mesh and even fabric. Pick one that suits your aesthetic but make sure the dimensions work for your purposes.

I have over the door organizers in my bathrooms and inside closet doors and the only downside to them is the top of your door frame can become scratched over time. It will depend on the guage (thickness) of the handles, but it's good to keep in mind.

• Walmart over door organizers
• Target over door organizers
• Wayfair over door organizers
• Amazon over door organizers

14. Attic, shed, garage or basement

These areas are usually perfect for storing away board games not constantly in use so make the most of the space and free the rest of your home from common clutter you don't need many months of the year.

Whilst some basements have climate control like the rest of the house, many basements, attics, sheds and garages do not, so make sure to adequately store your board games in air tight containers.

Failing to do so may end with pest problems, damp, mold or other environmental damage.

15. Under beds and couches

Mom blogger Amanda says, 'Many of my readers struggle with finding space for board games in small homes. For them, I recommend using under-bed storage boxes that slide right under the bed. You can label each box by game type such as kid games, family games or party games. This keeps them out of the way but easily accessible when you want to play.'

You can also make use of dead space under couches and benches, too. We have wide, shallow, storage with lids from Amazon under each of our velvet sofas in the living room packed with items we've stored away but might readily access weekly including puzzles, board games, crafts, magazines, books and Lego.

Once your board games are neatly filed away, consider how to store all those blankets and throws around your home, or what to do with toys cluttering up your space.