As family game nights regain popularity, the board game collection in your home may be growing exponentially. A well-organized space can make game selection and gameplay smoother, more enjoyable and less time-consuming. In this article, we will discuss the best ways to keep, store and organize your games in the family room so that you can focus more on the fun and less on finding missing pieces or making room for new additions.
Storing Board Games in Boxes
Box storage is a classic and effective method for organizing your game collection. Board games naturally come in boxes that are designed to neatly hold all of the game’s components. However, these boxes vary in size, shape, and durability, making them difficult to stack and store effectively.
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To tackle this, consider using plastic storage boxes. These boxes are available in various sizes, making them suitable for storing different types of board games. Larger boxes can hold multiple smaller games, while smaller boxes can keep individual big games secure. Remember to label each box clearly with the name of the game or games it contains.
Moreover, consider using plastic sandwich bags or small storage bags to keep game pieces together. This will prevent loss and make setup times faster. By organizing game pieces within the game box, you’re less likely to lose important components.
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Utilizing Room Space Effectively
The key to effective game storage is to utilize your room space effectively. Shelving units, cabinets, and closets provide ample storage space for your game boxes. Cube storage units are ideal as they provide individual compartments that can prevent boxes from toppling over.
For families with young kids, lower shelves work best for storing kid-friendly games. This makes it easier for them to choose and set up games for themselves. For games with smaller pieces that could pose a choking hazard, upper shelves or a closet out of reach of young children are ideal.
In tight spaces, vertical storage solutions like tall shelving units or over-the-door storage organizers can be useful. Also, consider under-used spaces like under the coffee table or behind the couch. Small storage ottomans or benches can double as seating and storage.
Board Game Cabinets and Closets
A board game cabinet or closet is a dedicated space for storing and organizing your games. With a cabinet or closet, you can keep all your games in one place, making it easier to find what you’re looking for.
You can convert an existing cabinet or closet into game storage or purchase a new one. Choose one that’s tall enough to accommodate larger game boxes and deep enough to store games front-to-back. Adjustable shelves are a plus, as they allow you to customize the space according to the size of your games.
Customize your cabinet or closet by adding small buckets or bins for loose pieces, drawers for card games, and hooks for game bags. You can also add a small table or pull-out shelf for setting up games or displaying the current game of the week.
Creating a Board Game Organizing System
Creating an organizing system for your board games can make game nights more enjoyable. Start by sorting your games by categories that make sense to your family. This could be by age range, game type (card games, strategy games, trivia games, etc.), or frequency of play.
Once you’ve categorized your games, find a logical place to store each category within your space. Highly played games should be easily accessible, while less frequently played games can be stored higher up or in a back corner.
When putting games away, ensure all pieces are accounted for and placed back in their respective bags or boxes. To make this easier, consider creating a checklist for each game. This can be as simple as a piece of paper taped to the inside of the game box that lists all the pieces.
Adapting Your Board Game Storage to Family Needs
As your family grows and changes, so too will your board game collection. New games will be added, old favorites may be outgrown, and the number of missing game pieces will likely increase. Therefore, it’s essential to regularly reassess your storage and organization strategies to ensure they continue to meet your family’s needs.
Take time every few months to go through your games. Donate or sell games that are no longer played, replace missing pieces, and ensure your organization system still makes sense. This ongoing maintenance will keep your game collection in top shape and your family game nights running smoothly.
In conclusion, organizing your board game collection in the family room doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a little planning, some practical storage solutions, and regular maintenance, you can create a game storage system that works for your family and makes game nights more enjoyable. So roll the dice, draw a card, and let the games begin!
Rotating Your Game Collection
One of the elements often overlooked in game organization is the concept of rotation. Similar to a library that rotates displays to highlight different books, your family can benefit from a game rotation system. This idea keeps the game collection fresh and exciting without necessarily adding new games.
Start with a central location, perhaps the coffee table or main game cabinet, and designate it as the featured games area. Here, you would display a selection of games for a certain period, say a week or a month. These should be games that are currently popular in your family or ones you’re trying to encourage more play.
After the designated period, these games can be rotated back into the storage space, and a new set of games can take their place. This rotation keeps the family room less cluttered by limiting the number of games out at any given time. It also provides a great opportunity to reassess the condition of game boxes, check for missing game pieces, and gauge which games are still relevant to your family’s interests.
Making Your Family Room Game-Friendly
Once you’ve figured out where to store board games and puzzles, it’s time to ensure your family room is game-friendly. After all, the environment contributes significantly to the enjoyment of game night.
A game-friendly room should have adequate lighting. This includes overhead lighting and task lighting like a table lamp for reading game instructions or searching for game pieces. Also, consider having a comfortable seating arrangement that accommodates all players and allows easy access to the game board.
Providing a spacious and stable surface like a coffee table or a game table is essential for spreading out game boards, cards, and pieces. If you’re limited on space, consider investing in a foldable table that can be set up on game nights and stored away when not in use.
Ensure there is sufficient storage space or a side table for snacks and drinks. Game nights are often accompanied by favorite snacks, so having a dedicated area will prevent spills on precious game boards. Also, consider having a small bin or container nearby for discarding snack wrappers or temporarily storing game pieces.
Conclusion
Organizing a collection of board games in a family room can seem like a challenging task, but with a bit of creativity and strategic planning, it can be a fun and rewarding process. From using plastic storage boxes and zipper bags to categorize and store board games, to utilizing cabinets, shelves and even the coffee table space effectively, there are numerous storage ideas to explore.
A game rotation system not only tackles the issue of space but also keeps the game collection exciting. Moreover, setting up a game-friendly environment in your living room enhances the overall game night experience. Remember, the aim is not just about neatness; it’s also about creating a system that makes accessing, playing, and cleaning up after games easier.
Regular maintenance of the game organization system is crucial. Make it a routine to check for missing pieces, repair torn game boxes, and reassess the relevance of games. As your family’s tastes change, your game collection should adapt accordingly.
In the end, the best game storage solution is one that suits your family’s needs and lifestyle. So, whether you’re a fan of strategy games, card games, or classic board games, enjoy the process of creating your ideal game room. After all, it’s all in the name of fun and creating memorable family game nights.
