Not only is vinyl making a comeback, but it actually outsold CD sales in 2019. When it comes to collecting vinyl record albums, with them being expensive, you may have some questions or concerns about storing them safely – especially if you have a lot. Fortunately, there are tons of ways to store vinyl records to keep them in excellent condition for your future listening pleasure or to preserve them as a future investment.
The best ways to store vinyl record albums are installing record album shelves, frames, ledges, and floating shelves. You can also use record bins, magazine racks, and props to keep them safe from harm. Always ensure your vinyl record albums are stored vertically and in a cool, dry location.
Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following information about the best ways to store vinyl record albums:
- What you should look for when locating a storage solution
- Seven top-notch ways to safely store your vinyl record albums
- Storage tips to prevent cracking and deterioration
What To Look For When Storing Your Vinyl Record Albums
Unfortunately, many record owners store their vinyl albums incorrectly, leading to warps, cracks, debris, and so on. These problems are often irreparable, reducing the album’s value and preventing it from playing on a record player. The good news is we’ve got you covered with seven high-quality solutions.
When you’re choosing a way to store your vinyl records, keep these three checkpoints in mind:
- Ensure they’re kept in a temperature-controlled, humidity-controlled environment. Your vinyl record albums should have enough airflow to prevent them from warping. Consider leaving them in a room with a hygrometer (a device used to check and adjust the room’s ambient humidity) and thermostat. If you live in a humid climate, look into using a dehumidifier.
- Use storage options that let you keep the vinyl record upright. Horizontal records warp, especially when they’re stacked. All of the solutions found throughout this page will allow you to keep your record albums vertical for safety and stylistic purposes.
- Consider how much space you’ll need to store all of your vinyl record albums. It’d be best to get something slightly bigger than you need in case you want to expand your record collection. You can use bookends to prop the albums if they don’t use all of the available space.
Without further ado, here’s a list of the seven best ways to store vinyl record albums:
Install Record Album Shelves
Record album shelves are some of the most common options for people looking for a cheap, reliable solution. You can use bookshelves and similar shelving choices, but there are plenty of record album shelves specifically intended for vinyl. They’re made to promote optimal airflow, temperature control, and humidity reduction.
Your Sound Matters explains record album shelves are an excellent solution because they’re sturdy and have minimal chances of falling over. Protecting your precious vinyl records is critical, but why spend more than you have to? Album shelves are budget-friendly and stylish, which is why they’re at the top of our list.
When choosing a new shelf for your vinyl record albums, make sure it’s slotted rather than using an open-concept design and measure the slots to ensure your records can sit upright. They shouldn’t have to lean or rest horizontally since this positioning can lead to the records’ previously mentioned structural issues.
Most record album shelves have enough space for five to ten records per slot. You can get a 5 x 5 square shelf with enough space for over 100 vinyl records. Whether you have a small collection or you’ve collected them for many years, you’ll enjoy this option. If you don’t have enough records to fill all of the slots, you can add books, plants, and other decorations.
If you’re looking for an affordable, durable cube storage shelf, try the TomCare Storage Cube Bookshelf. It comes in multiple colors, includes six cubes, and weighs a fraction of traditional bookshelves. The hardened plastic construction makes it easy to remove water and debris, keeping your records mold-free.
While shelves are always a great way to protect and store your vinyl record albums, they can be a bit bulky. If you’re trying to save space, consider the solution in the next section.
Consider Using Album Frames
Album frames aren’t as common for people who collect hundreds of vinyl records, but they’re more than worth it if you want to show off your favorite records. These frames are designed to fit your records, mounting them to the wall and preventing them from wobbling or falling off the edges. Furthermore, they’re transparent, which lets you display the record from edge to edge.
Before you get an album frame, consider these tips:
- Always measure your vinyl records before getting new frames. Most vinyl albums come in three sizes: Seven, ten, and twelve inches across. Measure the records you want to display, then get the corresponding size.
- Album frames aren’t the best choice for storing tons of vinyl records. They’re typically spaced across a wall, which means you can only use about 10 to 15 of them if you want to maintain the aesthetic.
- Never skimp when you’re looking for wall-mounted vinyl record frames. Low-quality frames can fall off the wall, dropping the record and likely breaking it. Unlike the album shelves from the previous section, you shouldn’t aim for cheap solutions.
- Although it might be tempting, don’t store more than one record per frame. Some of them have enough space to store one behind the displayed record, but you’ll risk warping or overloading the frame.
After you’ve displayed your favorite vinyl record albums on the wall with frames, you can keep the rest of them out of your eyesight with storage bins. In the following subheading, we’ll break down the importance of choosing a good storage bin and how to keep your vinyl records looking and feeling as they should.
Make Use of Record Bins
Record bins are one of the cheapest and easiest ways to store your vinyl record albums without damaging them. If you don’t mind keeping them out of eyesight and want to leave them under a bed, in the garage, or in a storage container, record bins can be the best option on the list. Much like the two previous choices, ensure they’re the proper dimensions for your records.
Make Space details a unique way to display or store vinyl records in bins. Follow this step-by-step process to save space and add a unique appearance to the bins:
- Fill three bins with vinyl records, ensuring they’re all vertical and won’t shake when you move the bins. If you can’t fill at least three bins, you’re better off leaving two bins next to each other on the ground or raised shelving, counters, and so on.
- Set two of the bins side-by-side, leaving about six to twelve inches between them. It’s important to leave a gap, so air can flow over all three bins, keeping your vinyl records at a reliable temperature and humidity. This placement also prevents mold, mildew, and discoloration.
- Set the third bin on top of the two bins on the floor. It should fit partially on both bins, with the center suspended above the gap as mentioned above. If you have four record bins, place three bins in a triangle with a gap between each of them. The fourth bin can sit above the center of all three bins.
Record bins might not be the most visually appealing choice, but it’s more than worth it if you have too many albums for frames or don’t want to take up too much space. You can slide them under cabinets, beds, benches, and other furniture as long as there is enough airflow and temperature control in the area.
Try Vinyl Record Ledges
Vinyl record ledges are some of the top choices for those wanting to display their record with style. These ledges are often made of wood, plastic, or metal. Regardless of the material, it needs to be the correct size for your vinyl records so they don’t get jammed or fall off the edges when you mount them.
The Karavella Vinyl Record Display Ledges are a perfect example of top-of-the-line wooden ledges. Choose between brown or black and enjoy the durable construction that prevents slips and similar problems. You’ll receive six ledges to store your favorite records of any size. These ledges are designed for any record at or below 12 inches (30.48 cm), including the vast majority of records on the market.
To install vinyl record ledges without risking them falling off the wall, try these suggestions:
- Use a stud finder to locate or wooden boards in the walls. Drilling your ledges into drywall without any support will slowly remove them from the wall over a couple of years. This error damages your ledges, records, and drywall, so ensure there’s a stud before you start drilling.
- Use a leveler tool to keep the ledges flat and even, then use a drill bit to create a pilot hole. Making a pilot hole will prevent the screws from stripping or ripping the drywall and studs. This process ensures a sturdy hold for the record ledges once you install them.
- Align the ledges with the wall, then screw one side into the wall, leaving it a little loose. Screw in the other screw, then tighten both of them after using a leveler to inspect their flatness. If everything is good to go, you can place the record on the ledge.
Use Record Props
Record props aren’t the most common tool, but they look much better than frames or ledges to many collectors. If you don’t want the support showing below or behind the record, you could use an X-shaped record prop. They’re easy to use since all you have to do is drill them into the wall and hang the record.
Record Props displays their tool as a necessary gadget for high-end collectors. Whether you live in a small apartment or a massive house, you can enjoy the stylish appearance of these unique tools. They hold the album cover in the background with the vinyl record sitting right below it. Many record props overlap the record and cover for a unique display.
One of the main reasons people love using record props is they elevate the records off the wall. Rather than leaning them against a surface that could shake or fall over if there’s an earthquake or the house shakes, record props suspend the record. Your records will sit vertically, which is exactly what you’re trying to achieve.
Another reason vinyl record props are useful is they promote airflow and control the ambient humidity. They don’t trap moisture and debris, which means you don’t have to worry about them getting covered in mildew and foul odors. These problems typically cause warping or deterioration, so it’s nice that you won’t have to deal with them.
Whether you’re using them for appearance, out-of-the-way storage convenience, or mildew-free design, record propers should be near the top of your list. They’re becoming increasingly popular, especially for people looking to upgrade from traditional record frames or ledges.
Attach Floating Vinyl Record Shelves
Much like the album shelves mentioned at the top of the list, floating shelves provide enough space to store plenty of records. However, they’re a bit more condensed and out of the way. They’re better for people who have between 10 to 50 records since they’re not too big or small. They also look a bit more pleasing.
If you choose to install floating vinyl record shelves, there are a few problems you should keep in your mind. For example, you need to ensure there’s a stud, just as you did when installing the ledges above. There needs to be enough support in the wall to prevent them from falling. Let’s review more thoughts below.
- Check the floating shelves’ weight capacity before you install them. It’d be best if you weighed all of your albums simultaneously, so you know what size shelf you’ll need to get. Putting too many records on a shelf can make it fall off the wall, sending your vinyl albums plummeting to the ground.
- Use bookends, plants, and other props to keep the albums upright if there aren’t enough to press together. According to Life Storage, horizontal record albums (or even those that fall on their sides without others stacked on them) can have years shaved off their life expectancies.
- Remove the record albums and clean the floating shelf at least once per month. There’s no doubt dust, moisture, and debris will collect on the shelves, so it’s important to get rid of it to preserve your vinyl records. Make sure the surface is dried before you place them back on the shelf.
Floating vinyl record shelves are fantastic because they don’t take up any space on the floor, nor do they need to be placed in cabinets or out of the way like bins. As long as you don’t go over the weight limit, you can store as many vinyl record albums on these shelves as you’d like to.
Magazine Racks for Your Record Albums
Last but not least, magazine racks might not be the first thing that comes to mind when figuring out a storage solution for your records, but they shouldn’t be overlooked. Magazines and vinyl records are relatively close in size, so it’s natural to assume you could place them in the same rack. Choose metal, wooden, or plastic racks for the best results.
As always, you should check the dimensions to ensure the records won’t stick out of the shelves, fall off, or get jammed. There are countless magazine racks to choose from, most of which will do the trick. Magazine racks add a unique appearance to your vinyl collection, so it’s bound to draw your visitors’ attention.
If you want to try a compact magazine rack for your albums, try the XJYBJF Floor Standing Magazine Holder. It comes with three tiers, each of which has enough room for three to five 12-inch records. You could also store seven-inch or ten-inch records since this magazine rack supports small magazines.
Note: Don’t use horizontal or tilted magazine racks. They’re not supportive enough to keep your vinyl record albums in good condition, so it’s not worth the risk. Never sacrifice your record’s durability in favor of cosmetic upgrades. There are more than enough magazine racks that look excellent in any setting, so choose one that keeps them vertical and ventilated.
Plastic Storage Bins
My daughter taught me this one. If you have a smaller collection you can buy plastic storage bins at your local Dollar General and use them to store your vinyl records. You can select sizes appropriate for both albums and singles. Pretty nifty and although not as elegant of a solution as a specifically designed storage system, it’s definitely on the cheaper side for those who value function over form.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to store your vinyl record albums, you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged or warping. Vinyl records aren’t as durable as modern CDs, but you can preserve their quality and value by implementing some of the techniques found throughout this page.
Shelves, frames, and racks let you store your vinyl records easily, but record props are a more stylish storage solution. Ensure floating shelves are secured so they don’t fall off the wall, and always stack record bins to keep them ventilated and safe.