TL;DR
Key strategies: vertical storage (Kallax cubes remain the gold standard), box consolidation (multiple games in one box), strategic culling (sell/donate what you don't play), and creative spaces (ottomans, under-bed, behind doors). Measure twice, buy once. A 2x4 Kallax (77cm × 147cm) holds approximately 40-60 games depending on box sizes.
When I moved from a three-bedroom house to a one-bedroom flat, my 200-game collection faced an existential crisis. The games that once filled a dedicated room now competed with everything else for precious square footage.
Eighteen months later, I've kept 80% of my collection in half the space. Here's everything I learned about small-space board game storage.
The Space Audit
Before buying shelving, understand what you're working with.
Measure Everything
Grab a tape measure. Note:
- Wall lengths and ceiling heights
- Alcoves, awkward corners, dead spaces
- Under-bed clearance
- Current wasted vertical space
- Doorway clearances (for moving furniture in)
Categorise Your Collection
Count your games by box size:
Standard Board Game Box Dimensions
| Size Category | Typical Dimensions | Examples | |---------------|-------------------|----------| | Small box | 20 × 15 × 5 cm | Hanabi, Love Letter, The Crew | | Standard | 30 × 30 × 7 cm | Ticket to Ride, Catan, Azul | | Large | 30 × 40 × 10 cm | Pandemic, Wingspan, Everdell | | Coffin box | 30 × 60+ × 10 cm | Twilight Imperium, Gloomhaven |
Knowing your box mix determines storage solutions.
Vertical Is Everything
In small spaces, floor area is precious. Walls are free.
The Kallax Standard
IKEA's Kallax shelving remains the board gaming community's go-to storage. Here's why:
- Cube dimensions (33 × 33 cm) fit most game boxes
- Modular design allows various configurations
- Relatively affordable (2×4 unit: £55)
- Sturdy construction handles heavy games
- Expandable with additional units
💡 Kallax Sizing
Standard game boxes (30 × 30 cm) fit perfectly. Large boxes require horizontal stacking. Small boxes waste space unless consolidated. For maximum efficiency, group similar-sized games.
Configurations for small spaces:
- 1×4 vertical (42 × 147 cm): Narrow walls, behind doors
- 2×4 (77 × 147 cm): Standard living room corner
- 1×5 (42 × 185 cm): Full height, minimal width
- Stacked 2×2s: Modular, easier to move
Beyond Kallax
Other options worth considering:
Billy bookcases (IKEA): Adjustable shelves accommodate varying box heights. 80cm width fits two standard games side-by-side.
Floating shelves: Display favourites as wall art. Works for 3-5 feature games.
Custom built-ins: Expensive but maximises every centimetre in awkward spaces.
Height Utilisation
Don't stop at eye level. Shelving to ceiling height doubles capacity.
Upper shelves (above 180cm):
- Rarely-played games
- Party games (accessed occasionally)
- Expansion storage
- Games waiting for trade/sale
Lower shelves (below 60cm):
- Heavy games (easier to lift from low)
- Frequently played favourites
- Children's games (their height access)
⚠️ Warning
Anchor tall shelving to walls. A 2×5 Kallax loaded with games weighs 100+ kg and becomes a serious tipping hazard, especially in homes with children or earthquakes.
Box Consolidation
The biggest space-saving revelation: you don't need original boxes.
Why Original Boxes Waste Space
Publishers design boxes for shelf appeal, not storage efficiency. That Wingspan box is 50% air. The Gloomhaven coffin is absurdly oversized for the components inside.
Consolidation Methods
Method 1: Plano boxes Transfer components to plastic organisers (fishing tackle boxes work brilliantly). Store multiple games per container. Keep rulebooks in a separate binder.
Method 2: Bag-and-binder Bag components, binder rulebooks. Flat storage in drawers or file systems.
Method 3: Custom inserts 3D-printed or foam inserts compact components within original boxes, reclaiming air space.
Method 4: Consolidation boxes Put 3-4 small games into one standard box. Label externally.
Consolidation Space Savings
| Game | Original Box Volume | Consolidated Volume | Savings | |------|---------------------|---------------------|---------| | Wingspan | 13,200 cm³ | 4,500 cm³ | 66% | | Gloomhaven | 52,500 cm³ | 28,000 cm³ | 47% | | 5 small games | 7,500 cm³ total | 3,000 cm³ | 60% | | Typical collection | 100% baseline | 40-60% | 40-60% |
The Trade-Off
Consolidation sacrifices:
- Resale value (collectors want original boxes)
- Visual appeal on shelves
- Quick identification
Consider keeping original boxes for games you might sell. Consolidate "keepers" aggressively.
Hidden and Multi-Use Storage
Every piece of furniture can contribute.
Ottoman Storage
Gaming ottomans with internal storage hold 10-15 games while serving as seating and footrests. Practical and invisible.
Under-Bed Solutions
Low-clearance beds: Flat plastic bins hold small and standard boxes laid horizontally.
High-clearance beds: Full-height game stacks. Consider bed risers for extra clearance.
Under-bed capacity: 20-40 games depending on bed size and clearance.
Behind-Door Racks
Shallow over-door organisers (shoe organisers) hold small games and card games. Ten slots = ten small games, zero floor space.
Coffee Table With Storage
IKEA Lack tables modified with storage underneath. Or purpose-built gaming tables with internal compartments.
Window Seats
Built-in seating with lift-up lids provides substantial hidden storage while adding seating capacity for game nights.
The Marie Kondo Approach
Sometimes the solution isn't better storage—it's fewer games.
The Cull Criteria
Ask of each game:
- When did I last play this?
- If I didn't own it, would I buy it today?
- Does another game in my collection do this better?
- Does this spark joy when I see it?
The One-Year Rule
Games unplayed for a year are candidates for rehoming. Exceptions: campaign games awaiting completion, annual traditions, true favourites temporarily neglected.
Where Culled Games Go
- BoardGameGeek marketplace: Reach collectors, get fair prices
- Local Facebook groups: Quick sales, no shipping
- Charity shops: Tax-deductible, community benefit
- Library donations: Games see regular play
- Gift to friends: Games find loving homes
The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.
The One-In-One-Out Rule
Once your collection fits your space, maintain equilibrium. Each new game requires a departure. This forces intentional purchasing.
Creative Spaces You're Missing
Look beyond obvious locations.
Closet Conversion
One closet shelf dedicated to games stores 20-30 boxes without claiming living space. Works especially well in rental properties where wall-mounting isn't possible.
Garage and Outbuildings
Climate concerns apply (humidity, temperature extremes), but garages often have vertical space to spare. Seal games in plastic containers against moisture.
Hallway Dead Ends
That awkward 60cm at hallway ends? Perfect for a narrow 1×5 shelf.
Above Doorframes
The 30cm between doorframe top and ceiling? Floating shelf territory. Accessible with a step, invisible otherwise.
Stairway Underneath
If you have stairs, that triangular void underneath is prime storage. Custom shelving maximises the irregular shape.
Rental-Friendly Solutions
When you can't mount shelving or make permanent changes.
Freestanding Options
- Heavy-duty bookcases that don't require wall anchoring (wider base, lower centre of gravity)
- Tension-mount shelving between floor and ceiling
- Storage cubes that stack without mounting
Damage-Free Mounting
- Command strips (for lightweight items)
- Tension rods in alcoves
- Furniture straps rather than wall anchors (anchor to heavy furniture base)
Modular Systems
When you move frequently, modular storage (stackable cubes, collapsible shelving) travels easier than built-ins.
Organisation Systems
Once stored, games need finding.
Alphabetical
Simple, intuitive, but splits series across shelves.
By Player Count
Practical for quick selection: "We have four—where's the 4-player section?"
By Game Weight/Complexity
Light games together, heavy together. Matches mood-based selection.
By Theme
All space games together, all economic games together. Aesthetic but impractical for diverse collections.
Frequency-Based
Most-played at eye level, rarely-played high/low. Practical but requires maintenance.
💡 Hybrid System
I use zones: vertical by player count, horizontal by weight within zones. Quick to navigate, easy to maintain.
The Investment Question
Quality storage costs money. Here's how to budget.
Budget Tier (Under £100)
- 2×4 Kallax: £55
- Plastic under-bed boxes: £20
- Bag-and-binder consolidation: £25
- Total storage: 60-80 games
Mid Tier (£100-250)
- Kallax with doors/inserts: £100
- Custom foam inserts: £50
- Ottoman storage: £80
- Total storage: 100-150 games
Premium Tier (£250+)
- Built-in shelving: £300+
- Gaming table with storage: £400+
- Custom cabinetry: £500+
- Total storage: 200+ games, displayed beautifully
Cost-Per-Game Calculation
Divide storage investment by game capacity. At £100 for 80 games, you're spending £1.25 per game on housing. Compare this to game purchase prices—storage is a minor cost for preserving your investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I store games vertically or horizontally?
Vertical storage (spines facing out) saves space and matches book-shelf aesthetics. Horizontal stacking (traditional) is kinder to components but wastes space. Compromise: store vertically, but bag components internally to prevent settling.
How do I handle oversized games like Gloomhaven?
Options: consolidate into smaller containers, store horizontally on top of other games, dedicate bottom shelves (easier lifting), or accept they're space hogs and plan around them.
Is climate control important for game storage?
Yes. Avoid: direct sunlight (fading), humidity over 65% (warping, mould), temperature extremes. If storing in garages or attics, use airtight plastic containers with silica gel packets.
How do I display games attractively in a small space?
Limit display to 3-5 favourites on floating shelves or a dedicated "feature" area. Rotate seasonally. Store the rest efficiently; display selectively.
My partner thinks I have too many games. Solutions?
Involve them in culling decisions. Consolidate to reduce visual bulk. Keep games in closed storage to minimise perceived collection size. Compromise on collection caps.
Final Thoughts
Small-space living forces intentionality. You can't own everything, so you own what matters. The same principle applies to board game collections.
My 80-game collection brings more joy than my previous 200. Every game on my shelf earns its space. I know what I own, play what I have, and don't stress about storage overflow.
Constraints, it turns out, aren't limitations. They're clarifications.
The Smoothie Wars Content Team creates educational gaming content. The team lives in a one-bedroom flat with too many games—organised extremely efficiently.
