Board games have made a serious comeback. According to recent industry data, the global board game market is expected to reach $30.9 billion by 2026. But here’s the thing: with great games comes great storage responsibility.
If you’re wondering how to store board games in living room spaces without turning your relaxation zone into a chaotic mess, you’re not alone. After analyzing dozens of storage solutions and testing various methods, I’ve discovered some game-changing strategies (pun intended) that actually work.
As a professional custom board game manufacturer, let me walk you through the exact methods that will keep your games organized, accessible, and your living room looking like something out of a home design magazine.
Why Living Room Board Game Storage Matters
Before we dive into the specific techniques, let’s talk about why getting this right is so important.
Your living room is where families gather, friends visit, and memories are made. It’s also typically where most people prefer to play board games. Makes sense, right? The comfortable seating, the central location, the big coffee table.
But here’s what I’ve learned: poorly stored games lead to three major problems:
- Decision paralysis – When games are buried in closets or stacked impossibly high, nobody wants to dig through them
- Damage and lost pieces – Games stored haphazardly end up with bent boxes and missing components
- Visual clutter – Bright, mismatched game boxes can make even the nicest living room look chaotic
The good news? There are proven solutions for each of these issues.
The Foundation: Choosing Your Storage Approach
Most people make the mistake of buying storage solutions before deciding on their overall strategy. Don’t do this.
Instead, start by asking yourself these three questions:
- How often do you play board games?
- How many games do you own?
- What’s your living room’s style and layout?
Your answers will determine whether you should go with visible display storage or hidden storage solutions.
For frequent players with 10-20 games: Visible storage works great
For occasional players with 50+ games: Hidden storage is your friend
For design-conscious homeowners: A mix of both approaches usually works best
How to Store Board Games in Living Room
Method 1: The Entertainment Center Approach
This is my top recommendation for most living rooms, and here’s why it works so well.
Most living rooms already have an entertainment center or media console. These units typically have perfect proportions for board game storage, and they keep games easily accessible while maintaining a clean look.
What you’ll need:
- Adjustable shelves (crucial for different box sizes)
- Clear storage bins for smaller games
- Shelf dividers to prevent game avalanches
Pro tip: Measure your tallest game boxes before buying or adjusting shelves. Games like Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan need about 12 inches of vertical clearance.
Here’s the exact setup process:
Set your shelves 12-14 inches apart for standard board games. Store games vertically like books – this makes it super easy to grab one without disturbing the others. Use clear bins for card games and smaller box games. Label everything with a simple label maker.
Method 2: Coffee Table Storage Solutions
Storage coffee tables are absolutely brilliant for active gaming families. You’re literally storing games right where you’ll use them.
The key is finding a coffee table with the right internal dimensions. Most board games are about 11.5″ x 11.5″, so you’ll need at least 12″ x 12″ internal space.
Best coffee table storage features to look for:
- Lift-top design (easier access than drawer-style)
- Internal height of at least 6 inches
- Smooth interior (no rough edges that can damage boxes)
I’ve seen families store 15-20 games in a single storage coffee table. The only downside? You’ll need to remove the games temporarily when you want to play on the coffee table itself.
Method 3: Built-In Cabinet Systems
If you’re doing any renovations or have some DIY skills, built-in cabinets are the ultimate solution.
The beauty of built-ins is customization. You can create exactly the right shelf heights, depths, and widths for your specific collection.
Key measurements for built-in game storage:
- Shelf depth: 12 inches minimum (13-14 inches is better)
- Shelf height: 12-14 inches for most games
- Width: Plan for 8-10 standard games per 36-inch shelf
One family I know created a stunning built-in entertainment wall with dedicated game storage. They included adjustable shelves, integrated lighting, and even a pull-out drawer for game pieces. Total cost was around $2,500, but it transformed their entire living room.
Method 4: Stylish Shelving Units
Open shelving can work beautifully in living rooms, but you need to be strategic about it.
The secret is treating your games like decorative objects. This means:
Arranging games by color creates a rainbow effect that’s visually appealing
Mixing in books and decorative items breaks up the game boxes
Using matching storage bins for smaller games maintains consistency
IKEA’s KALLAX units are incredibly popular for this approach. They’re affordable, modular, and the 13″ x 13″ cubes are perfectly sized for board games.
But here’s something most people don’t consider: game box artwork. Some games have genuinely beautiful box designs that work as decor. Games like Azul, Wingspan, and Parks have gorgeous artwork that enhances rather than detracts from your living room’s aesthetic.
Method 5: Hidden Storage Solutions
Sometimes the best storage is invisible storage.
Storage ottomans are perfect for this. You get extra seating, a footrest, and game storage all in one piece of furniture. Look for ottomans with internal dimensions of at least 24″ x 16″ x 12″ to fit multiple games.
Storage benches work similarly but offer more capacity. A 48-inch storage bench can easily hold 20-30 games while providing additional seating for game nights.
Under-sofa storage is another hidden gem. Many sectional sofas have wasted space underneath that’s perfect for sliding in flat storage boxes filled with games.
Method 6: Vertical Storage Techniques
This is where things get really interesting. Most people store games wrong – they stack them horizontally, which creates the “Jenga effect.” You know what I mean: to get the game at the bottom, you have to move five other games.
Vertical storage eliminates this problem completely.
Here’s the exact process:
First, prepare each game for vertical storage. This means securing all loose pieces in small ziplock bags and wrapping a large rubber band around each box to keep the lid secure.
Second, arrange games like books on your shelf. You can organize by size, color, or frequency of use.
Third, use bookends or shelf dividers to prevent games from falling over.
This method alone can increase your storage efficiency by 40% while making games infinitely more accessible.
Method 7: Multi-Zone Storage Strategy
For larger collections, the smart move is distributing games across multiple storage zones.
Zone 1: Active games – Your most-played 5-10 games stay in prime real estate (coffee table or entertainment center)
Zone 2: Regular rotation – Games you play monthly go in easily accessible shelving
Zone 3: Seasonal/party games – Less frequent games can go in higher shelves or closed storage
This approach prevents any single storage area from becoming overwhelming while keeping your favorites ultra-accessible.
Organization Systems That Actually Work
Storage is only half the battle. Organization is what makes the system sustainable long-term.
The Color Coding Method: Arrange games by box color to create visual harmony. It sounds simple, but it works surprisingly well.
The Frequency Method: Most-played games get the best spots. This is pure practicality.
The Category Method: Group by game type – strategy games together, party games together, family games together.
The Size Method: Sometimes the most logical approach is simply grouping by box size.
I personally use a hybrid approach: frequency for my main entertainment center, then color coding for my display shelving.
Protecting Your Investment
Board games aren’t cheap. A quality strategy game can easily cost $50-80, and collector editions can run $100+.
Proper storage protects your investment in several ways:
Temperature control matters more than most people realize. Avoid storage near heating vents, windows with direct sunlight, or damp basements. Extreme temperature changes can warp game boards and damage cards.
Vertical storage prevents box damage from weight crushing. I’ve seen too many game boxes completely flattened by being at the bottom of a tall stack.
Dust protection is crucial for games you don’t play frequently. Clear storage bins or cabinet doors solve this problem.
Making Storage Look Intentional
The difference between “organized” and “designed” storage often comes down to small details.
Use consistent labeling – whether it’s a label maker, handwritten tags, or printed labels, consistency matters.
Control your color palette – too many bright, clashing game boxes can overwhelm a space. Consider using uniform storage bins to create visual calm.
Add decorative elements – mix in some books, plants, or decorative objects to make shelving feel intentional rather than purely functional.
Consider lighting – under-cabinet LED strips or small accent lights can make storage areas feel more like displays.
Budget-Friendly Solutions
You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get great board game storage.
IKEA hacks are incredibly popular for a reason. A KALLAX shelf unit costs under $60 and can store 30+ games.
Plastic storage bins from discount stores work perfectly for organizing smaller games and card games.
Repurposed furniture often works better than purpose-built storage. That old bookshelf in your garage might be perfect for games.
DIY shelf inserts can transform any existing shelving into perfect game storage for just the cost of some wood and hardware.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After researching dozens of storage setups, I’ve noticed the same mistakes over and over:
Mistake #1: Buying storage before measuring games. Always measure first.
Mistake #2: Stacking games too high. Anything over 8-10 games in a stack becomes unwieldy.
Mistake #3: Storing games in hard-to-reach places. If games are annoying to access, they won’t get played.
Mistake #4: Ignoring the living room’s style. Storage should enhance, not fight, your decor.
Mistake #5: Not securing game boxes for vertical storage. This leads to component disasters.
Maintenance and Long-Term Success
The best storage system is one you’ll actually maintain. Here’s how to keep your setup working long-term:
Do a quarterly organization session. Spend 30 minutes reorganizing, checking for damaged boxes, and rotating game positions based on play frequency.
Keep a donation box handy. When games are no longer played, pass them on rather than letting them take up space.
Update your system as your collection grows. What works for 20 games might not work for 50 games.
Take photos of your organized setup. This makes it easier to maintain the system and helps others in your household know where things belong.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to store board games in living room spaces effectively isn’t just about organization – it’s about creating an environment that encourages play, protects your investment, and maintains your home’s aesthetic appeal.
The key is choosing storage solutions that match your specific situation: your space, your collection size, your play frequency, and your design preferences.
Start with one method from this guide and expand from there. Remember, the best storage system is one that makes your games more accessible and enjoyable, not less.
Your living room can absolutely accommodate board game storage without sacrificing style or function. With the right approach, you’ll create a space that’s both beautiful and game-ready at all times.
