LEGO bricks are loved by kids and adults alike, but if left scattered, they can quickly create a messy and painful situation-anyone who has stepped on one knows what we mean. Storing LEGO bricks, sets, and small parts in a sensible way makes them safer, keeps your home tidier, and helps you avoid losing your favorite pieces. But what’s the best way to organize and store LEGO? Whether you have a huge collection or just a few sets, there are solutions for every space and budget. This guide covers all the reasons and methods for organizing LEGO, helping you turn clutter into an organized builder’s dream.
Good LEGO storage is about more than just being neat-it keeps your sets in good shape, makes building easier, and helps your home feel more peaceful. With hundreds of billions of LEGO bricks around the world, and new ones made every minute, things can get messy fast unless you have a plan. Here’s why it’s worth taking some time to get your bricks under control.
Why Storing LEGO Properly Matters
Storing LEGO the right way does much more than help you avoid stepping on bricks. It keeps your collection together, makes building more fun, and protects what you’ve bought and built.
If LEGO pieces are left lying around, they’re easy to lose-especially the small, unique parts that complete a set. Using a storage system gives every brick a place, so it’s easier to keep everything together and avoid losing vital parts.
Prevents Loss of Pieces
LEGO sets often depend on tiny or rare pieces. Losing even a single one can keep you from finishing a build. A good storage system, whether you sort by set, type, or color, helps you keep track of all your parts, so your sets stay complete.
Having a spot for every piece also teaches kids to clean up and be responsible for their toys. Losing a piece can be frustrating and halt progress on a project, so storage helps avoid disappointment.
Protects Sets from Damage and Dust
Although LEGO is strong, it can still get damaged. Sunlight may fade the colors, and high heat can make bricks brittle. Dust easily settles on models and loose bricks, making them dirty or hard to fit together.
Keeping LEGO in containers or display cases keeps out dust and shields them from light and breakage. This helps sets and bricks look better and last longer. Closed bins work well for loose bricks, protecting from damage and dirt, while display cases are great for showing off your favorite builds and keeping out dust.
Makes Creative Play Easier
When bricks are organized, it’s quicker to find the parts you need, which means more building and less searching. This encourages kids (and adults) to make more creative and complex projects.
Sorting LEGO can also be a learning activity, helping with skills like color sorting, grouping, and organizing. As your collection grows, you may need to tweak your storage methods, which helps you plan and adapt. Staying organized makes handling lots of bricks much less stressful.
Things to Think About Before Choosing LEGO Storage
Before you start buying bins and shelves, look at your needs first. Who will use the LEGO? How much do you have? How much do you want to spend?
Knowing this ahead of time helps you pick a storage method that won’t need a major change as your collection gets bigger (and it probably will!).
Safety and Ease for Kids
If kids use the LEGO, choose containers they can manage. Avoid heavy or sharp bins, and put shelves and drawers where they can easily reach them. Rounded edges and non-toxic materials make storage safer. For younger kids, bigger, simple bins may work best instead of lots of small boxes, so cleanup is quick and easy.
Expandable Storage for Growing Collections
LEGO collections often grow. It’s smart to pick containers and systems you can add to later-like stackable bins or modular shelves. That way, when you get more LEGO, you can simply add another bin or box, not start from scratch.
Planning for growth now saves you time and money later, and keeps your system from getting overloaded.
Cost Choices: Cheap vs. Fancy
LEGO storage can be very cheap or quite expensive. Your budget will help guide your choice. Plastic bins, zip bags, and using things like old containers are great for organizing with little money-especially if your collection is small.
If you want storage that looks nice in your home, or you have a huge collection, you might spend more on labeled LEGO storage bricks, special drawers, or shelves. Pick the option that suits your needs and your wallet-you don’t have to spend a lot to make a big difference.
Main Types of LEGO Storage
After you figure out what you need, look at the different kinds of storage out there. From plastic bins to drawer cabinets, there’s plenty to choose from. Knowing what’s available will help you decide what fits your home and LEGO habits best.
| Type | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open storage (e.g., bins/shelves) | Easy access, displaying models | Easy to see and grab pieces | Can collect dust, may look messy |
| Closed storage (e.g., boxes, drawers) | Protecting from dust/damage | Keeps things clean and neat-looking | Need labels to find what you want |
Selecting Bins, Drawers, and Boxes
The most common LEGO containers are bins, drawers, and boxes. Clear bins are great for seeing what’s inside, while opaque bins look tidier. Drawers let you divide bricks by type or color, and are easy to slide out and use, like the IKEA TROFAST system. Simple boxes, like old shoe boxes, LEGO storage heads, or sorting suitcases, are portable and good for travel or separating sets.
How to Store Loose LEGO Bricks
Most LEGO collections are lots of loose bricks just waiting for a project. Finding a good way to store these is probably your biggest storage challenge.
A usable sorting system makes your bricks easier to use, and building much more fun.
Sorting by Color, Shape, or Set
The way you sort will affect how easy it is to find pieces later. Common ways are:
- By Color: Looks neat in clear bins, but can make small pieces hard to find.
- By Set: Keep all parts of a set together-good if you rebuild full sets often.
- By Type or Shape: Group bricks, plates, tiles, minifigs, etc., separately; this is best for building new things and quick searching.
Many people end up using a mix of these methods. Use the way that matches how you play and build with LEGO.
Best Containers for Loose Bricks
After sorting, pick containers that fit your system. Good choices are:
- Clear bins-easy to see inside
- Compartment craft or hardware boxes-for small parts
- Plastic drawer systems-for lots of categories
- Food storage tubs or resealable bags-for smaller amounts
- IKEA Trofast shelves-for lots of bricks
Make sure you can reach everything easily, and containers fit your shelves or storage area.
Useful Labeling Methods
Labeling is key for staying organized, especially with closed containers. Try these steps:
- Write clear labels (e.g., “Red Plates,” “Small Tiles”)
- Use set numbers or pictures for bins sorted by set
- For young kids, color labels or pictograms work well
- Cut out box art and tape to containers for easy ID
Make sure everybody who uses the LEGO knows what the labels mean.
Storing LEGO Sets: Built and Unbuilt
Many people like to keep built models on display, or save sets in their boxes. Different storage is needed compared to loose bricks.
Storing Built LEGO Sets
To show off finished builds, display cases work best-they keep out dust and stop accidents. You can get small ones for single models or big glass cabinets for entire scenes. Mini display cases are good for little builds or minifigs.
Shelves also work-try bookcases or wall shelves, like IKEA Kallax. With open shelves, dusting is needed often. To keep valuable or fragile sets safe, put them high up or behind glass, or hang them on the wall with hooks for vehicles and art.
Keeping Sets Together When Taken Apart
If you take apart a set, keep its pieces and instructions together. Use mesh zipper pouches or resealable bags with a label or box cutout showing the set. If you save the original box, store all parts inside it. The main goal is to not mix set parts with regular loose bricks, so you can rebuild easily later.
Protecting Valuable, Retired, or Rare Sets
For sets that are no longer sold or are valuable to collectors, keep them in the original boxes if possible. Store them in lidded plastic bins in a cool, dry location away from sunlight, dirt, and changes in temperature. Avoid putting them directly on the ground to steer clear of moisture and dirt. Check on these sets occasionally to make sure they stay in good shape.
How to Store LEGO Minifigures and Accessories
Minifigures and tiny accessories often go missing unless they have their own spot. Special storage keeps them together and easy to find for play or display.
Minifigure Display Cases
Display cases for minifigures are great-they have spots inside to stand the figures up, and a cover to keep out dust. Some are made to mount on the wall, others stack up. You can also make your own with shelves and adding LEGO plates to hold each minifigure.
Organizing Small Accessories
Tiny items like hats or tools need small compartments. Hardware or craft boxes with lots of little sections work well, as do mini drawer towers. For a simpler option, group similar items in small bags before putting in a larger box. The aim is to keep little parts from mixing or getting lost.
Storing Instructions and Boxes
Instructions and original boxes are important for building, checking pieces, or keeping a set valuable to collectors. Keep these neat so they don’t get damaged or lost.
Flat vs. Upright Filing
Store manuals flat in shallow boxes to keep them looking new, but they’re harder to flip through. Or store them upright in folders, binders, or magazine boxes so they’re easier to browse. Folders or plastic sleeves help protect them from rips and creases.
Going Digital
Many instructions are now online-LEGO’s website and app let you find almost any manual. Download PDF versions and keep them in organized folders on your computer or in cloud storage. This saves space and means you always have a backup, even if you lose a paper manual.
Saving Original Boxes
Boxes can take up a lot of space, but if you want to keep them, flatten them and put them in a large storage bin or box somewhere dry and clean. If you don’t need the whole box, cut out the front for a visual label and recycle the rest. Collectors, though, often keep boxes in good shape for value.
LEGO Storage for Small Spaces
If you don’t have a dedicated playroom, you’ll need to make the most of the space you do have. Using space under the bed and building up with shelves can help a lot.
Under-Bed and Tall Storage Ideas
Shallow rolling bins under the bed are a smart way to store LEGO out of sight, but keep it handy. Tall shelving units or stacked drawers allow you to store more without taking up a bigger footprint. The IKEA Trofast system is a favorite for stacking bins vertically.
Wall Storage and Hanging Organizers
Your walls can give you extra storage. Floating shelves or LEGO Brick Shelves are perfect for displaying models or holding bins. Hanging fabric organizers work too, hanging from doors or on the wall to hold bricks and free up the floor. For something fun, attach baseplates to the wall to create a LEGO wall for tiny builds and storage.
Creative and DIY LEGO Storage Ideas
You don’t always have to buy pricey storage-some of the best ideas come from things you already have at home. Try using:
- Old toolboxes with sections for parts
- Food storage tubs for project boxes
- Shoe boxes or takeout containers for temporary or small collections
- Jars, tins, or cups for small pieces
Think creatively and reuse containers to make your storage unique and perfectly suited to your collection.
DIY LEGO Furniture
If you’re handy, you can build LEGO tables with space for bins, or a shelf system sized to fit your containers. DIY wood racks with plastic bins are a flexible and budget-friendly way to keep things neat. Custom storage lets you fit everything to your needs and your space.
Portable Storage for Travel
If you take LEGO on road trips or vacations, portable options help keep things together. The LEGO Sorting Box (shaped like a suitcase) is made for travel, but tackle boxes with lots of sections work well too. A tote with dividers, or simple zip bags packed into a backpack, are good for bringing small sets or projects with you.
Tips for Keeping Your LEGO Collection Organized
Getting organized is one thing; staying organized is another. With new sets and regular building sessions, things can quickly get messy again. Try these ideas for keeping things tidy:
Sort and Declutter Regularly
Plan quick clean-ups after each building session and a full sort every few months. Put pieces back in the right place, tidy up areas where bricks have piled up, and reorganize if your system isn’t working. Regular upkeep stops mess from piling up.
Get Kids Involved
If you have kids, make them part of the process. Teach them where pieces go and make cleanup part of playtime. Sorting can even be a game, and offering small rewards can help. Involving children builds good habits and makes them more likely to help keep things neat.
Update Your System as Needed
As your collection grows or your needs change, don’t be afraid to update how you store your LEGO. Add new bins, change labels, or buy new shelves if needed. If you often can’t find pieces or boxes are overflowing, it’s time to change things up for better results.
Summary
Getting your LEGO collection neat and organized doesn’t have to be hard. The main thing is to find what works for you-something easy to keep up and easy to use. Simple bins, drawers, DIY ideas, or fancy storage all work as long as you can keep using them for the long haul.
Use a bit of planning and some regular effort and you can keep your LEGO hobby fun, your home tidy, and avoid that dreaded pain of stepping on a brick. Remember, the best storage system is one that you’ll actually use-don’t aim for perfect, aim for practical and easy. Happy building!