Melody Memoirs: 9 Creative Vinyl Record Storage Ideas You'll Love

Call them vinyl, phonograph, or gramophone records, or Long Play (LP) records, only an ardent collector knows the anguish of not having adequate storage space for them. There's absolutely no way the records can be stacked in a heap on the floor. You require a proper (read: fashionable) organizing and storing method so that you can find them as quickly as possible.

However, that doesn't mean you need to make an extravagant purchase. There are plenty of inexpensive and creative ways you can get the job done. And, you can start by giving the following 9 ideas a chance.

As you go through the following storage suggestions, pay close attention to whether any of these ideas will complement your home's décor. Apart from implementing an idea, what you should also focus on is a smooth transition (storing option) so that you don't end up spending too much.

Search for a storage unit or space depending on the diameter (12", 10", 7") of the records.

Kill two birds with one stone by storing the records in a chest and using it as a coffee table or side unit in the living room. This way, you can flip through the records easily and can keep them concealed when the need is over.

An oldie, but definitely a goodie. Somehow, storing records in crates is one of the most easiest and affordable ideas. Check on sites like eBay and Amazon for inexpensive wooden or plastic crates that have handles on the sides and can accommodate standard LP albums. You can purchase them in bulk and stack them on top of one another or on their sides so they don't take up a lot of space.

Purchase appropriate-sized wicker baskets online or from a local departmental store, and use them as a storage unit. Select baskets that are deep enough to accommodate the albums properly, and place them in any available shelf space around your home.

If you have an unused showcase or cubby unit, stack the records side by side in it. And if you're worrying about concealing the open showcase, cover it with a clean, flat sheet or choose to install short curtains. On the other hand, if there is enough space, you can even store the albums in wicker baskets with lids and then place them inside the unit.

Frankly speaking, putting the records up on display is perhaps the only way we love to 'store' them. Of course, it'll be difficult to keep them all on a wall-mounted showcase. In such cases, keep only a handful of records on the showcase and store the others in labeled boxes.

Make some space in your cupboard and stack the records in them. You don't necessarily have to keep the cupboard in the living room, if you don't want to. Choose a room you like to listen to the music in, and find a space to shift the cupboard there.

Similar to a making room in a cupboard, you can utilize the space available in a floor shelving unit. Also, you can keep the player on one of the shelves for convenience.

Depending on the space available on the bookshelf, there are one of two things you can do. The first option is to stack the records together, whereas the second option is to place them in a container or box vertically and then keep it on the bookshelf.

If you don't have a large collection, a coffee table with a shelf can be converted into a record storage unit. Just remember to stack the albums side by side (vertically), and not on top of one another (horizontally).

Did any of these ideas strike a cord? If you cannot use any of the existing furniture (shelves, cabinets, etc.) or boxes to store the records, do make it a point to visit Ikea or your favorite furniture store. You are sure to find many more storage options that can be used to store your pride and joy.