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Family Game Night: How To Store Your Board Game Collection


December 10, 2024 | Home Organization

Whether you’re solving a murder mystery in Clue or spelling out silly words in Scrabble, playing board games with your family is an opportunity for fun and to make lasting memories. The last thing you want on family game night, however, is a collapsed and disorganized collection of board games in the closet.

From pieces scattered on the floor to cards mixed together and boxes damaged, a growing board game collection can become overwhelming without a designated space.

Fortunately, your friends at Metro Self Storage are here to help with practical tips for organizing your board games and show you how self storage can support the management process. We’ll also discuss the best family night games and most popular board games of all time!

What Are the Best Family Night Games and Most Popular Board Games of All Time?

Board games have a unique charm that continues to captivate us, with timeless classics like chess and checkers remaining favorites for many. Others find excitement in engaging with games like The Game of Life and Risk, which offer deeper strategies and experiences.

Among these games, some of the best choices for family game nights and the most popular board games of all time include:

  1. Monopoly. A classic real estate trading strategy game.
  2. Scrabble. Test your vocabulary and creativity with this word-spelling game.
  3. Clue.A timeless whodunit murder mystery, solving the crime of who did it, with what, and where in the house.
  4. Catan. Build, trade, and settle your way to victory in this world-building game.
  5. Ticket to Ride. A railway-themed game that embarks on a cross-country adventure.
  6. Codenames. A clever word-based game, perfect for parties!
  7. Sorry!.This game of strategy and chance is excellent for all ages.
  8. Carcassonne. Build your medieval landscape one tile at a time.
  9. Connect Four. A quick, competitive game attempted to connect four chips in a row.
  10. Betrayal at House on the Hill. Explore a haunted house in this thrilling game and figure out who the traitor is!

The Importance of Organizing Your Collection of Board Games

An organized board game collection can significantly elevate your family game nights. Imagine a designated space where each game has its own spot, neatly arranged and easily accessible.

Instead of the usual chaos of rummaging through stacked boxes and searching for elusive game pieces, you can simply glance around and find exactly what you need. This seamless organization saves precious time, allowing you to dive into your favorite games without delay.

Categorization for Your Family Board Game Night Collection

A variety of board game pieces strewn across a wooden table

Organizing your family board games is the simplest way to find the games you need quickly. One effective strategy is categorizing them by type, such as strategy games, card games, and party games.

You might also consider sorting the games by age appropriateness, which is helpful for families with children of different ages. Creating a dedicated section for kids’ games can further simplify the process of retrieving games when you’re in a hurry.

Labeling shelves and bins filled with games can streamline finding the games you want. Simple, color-coded labels can help with easy identification and allow you to start playing quickly!

Ideas for Board Game Storage

Once you’ve categorized your board games using a system that works best for you and your family, think about creative storage solutions. Shelving units are a popular choice, as they use vertical space and allow for easy stacking if you utilize stackable bins.

Floating shelves are also an excellent option for displaying smaller games, while long, thin under-bed bins can be a great way to maximize your available space.

Consider using protective card sleeves to safeguard your cherished and vintage board game cards from wear and tear. Soft, cinched velvet bags can help protect pieces from dust accumulation and prevent them from being misplaced.

While sometimes expensive, a dedicated board game bag offers safe transportation and keeps your games organized in a concealed padded space.

Use Self Storage To Avoid Cluttered Closets

A self storage unit is an excellent way to reduce clutter in your closets if you have an extensive collection of board games, Legos, and puzzles. Instead of pulling out stacks of games and rearranging the boxes in your own personal game of Tetris, you can create essential space by investing inhousehold self storage.

Many of our self storage facilities offer climate-controlled storage units, which are perfect for tucking away vintage and modern board games that could be damaged while stored in a hot attic or garage. These specialized storage units maintain a steady internal temperature to shield your games from heat waves that can curl playing cards or cold snaps that make plastic game pieces brittle.

Choosing the right storage unit size is another important factor, depending on the size of your board game collection. Storage units usually start at a standard closet size, 5×5, and can expand up to expansive sizes like 10×30.

Explore Metro Self Storage’s storage unit size guide to calculate how much storage space you need.

Rotating Board Games Seasonally

A group of family and friends surround a table, playing Sorry! and celebrating a win.

Rotating your board games seasonally can bring a refreshing change to family game nights, making them more exciting and less repetitive and ensuring all games are played. In the summertime, fast-paced, travel-themed games evoke a sense of fun and warmth. Games like Carcassonne, Sushi Go!, Bananagrams, and Codenames are perfect options.

Mystery games with exciting twists and turns are ideal for the autumn season. Clue, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Gloom, and Horrified are excellent options to bring a spooky atmosphere to game night. Winter is a wonderful time for a cozy gathering with strategy and adventure games. Ticket to Ride, Catan, Dominion, and Snow Tails provide an immersive experience.

As spring arrives and the plants begin to grow again, games that focus on nature, strategy, and creativity are a fantastic way to bring the spirit of spring indoors. Games like Wingspan, Photosynthesis, Everdell, and Cottage Garden encompass these elements by incorporating animals and plants.

Get the Best Storage for Board Games From Metro Self Storage

Organizing and storing your board game collection in a storage unit can significantly enhance family game night! When you’re ready to turn chaotic searches into seamless setups with practical categorization, we’ve got you covered with affordable self storage.

Find a Metro Self Storage facility near you and explore our available storage units online. You can easily rent or reserve a storage unit online or call our team!

If you’d like to make room in other areas of your life, dive into our storage blog and FAQ page for more tips and tricks of the storage trade.