Too Many Games, Not Enough Room? Smart Storage Ideas

It starts with one shelf of board games. Then a second console arrives, the retro collection grows, the card binders multiply, and suddenly the lounge room has a teetering tower of boxes that collapses every time someone reaches Monopoly. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Game collections grow steadily, but homes don't, and the answer isn't always to sell what you love. Smart storage at home, combined with personal storage at a StorHub facility near you, lets you keep the whole collection without it taking over the house. 

This guide covers practical ways to store every kind of game: board games, video games and consoles, retro collections, tabletop miniatures, trading cards, and jigsaw puzzles. It also explains why Australian summers make some common storage spots a poor choice, and how to decide which games stay at home, and which can go into storage for a while. 

Whether you're a casual family gamer, a dedicated collector or somewhere in between, the same principles apply to keep things upright and protected, control heat and dust, and make the games you play easy to reach. 

Most of the ideas below cost little or nothing: a few zip-lock bags, some straps, a shelf adjustment and a labelling system go a long way. Where an item needs more protection, we explain why, so you can decide what's worth the effort for your collection.

Why Game Collections Outgrow the House 

Games are easy to collect and hard to part with. Each new release, expansion, limited edition or second-hand find feels like a small addition, but together they add shelves, drawers and cupboards full of boxes, cables, controllers and accessories. Unlike most household items, games also have sentimental and sometimes financial value, which makes decluttering harder. 

Gaming households also collect accessories that are easy to forget: steering wheels, VR headsets, arcade sticks, guitar controllers, and mats. These awkward shapes take up a surprising amount of room, so include them when you plan your storage. 

Board games, consoles and collectibles all store differently 

A common mistake is treating every game the same way. Board games are bulky and full of loose pieces; consoles are electronics that dislike heat and dust; retro boxes and manuals are essentially paper and cardboard; miniatures are fragile; and trading cards bend and fade. Each needs a slightly different approach, as the table below shows. 

Thinking about your collection by type makes it much easier to decide where each part should live, and what it needs to stay in good condition. 

Heat, dust and Australian summers 

Australia's climate adds a challenge many overseas storage guides ignore. Garages, sheds and roof cavities can become extremely hot in summer, then cool down overnight, and those swings are hard on plastic, glue, cardboard and electronics. Australian government guidance on preserving personal archives from AIATSIS recommends keeping paper-based items in cool, dry, dark conditions, ideally around 20°C with about 50% relative humidity, and avoiding the attic, the shed and under the house. Game boxes, manuals, rulebooks, and cards are all paper based, so the same advice applies to them. 

Dust is the other quiet problem. It settles into console vents, clings to discs and dulls the shine on display boxes. A collection stored in an open garage or on an exposed shelf near a window collects far more of it than one kept in closed containers in a cool room.

Smart Storage Ideas for Board Games 

Board game storage ideas are about two things: protecting the box and keeping the pieces together. Get those right and even a large collection becomes easy to manage. 

Store boxes upright on deep shelves 

Stacking games flat looks tidy until you need the one at the bottom. Storing boxes upright, like books, means you can pull out any game without moving the others, and it stops the weight of a tall pile from crushing the lower boxes. Choose deep, sturdy shelving that fits the largest boxes in your collection, with the heaviest games on the lowest shelves for stability. If your shelving is adjustable, set the shelf heights to match your most common box sizes so you don't waste height on every level. 

Group games in a way that suits how you play: by players, by length, by family-friendly versus strategy, or simply alphabetically. A clear system means less time searching and fewer games left on the floor after a games night. 

Bag components and secure lids 

The main risk with upright storage is that pieces shift and mix when the box tips onto its side. The fix is simple: bag the components. Small zip-lock bags, compact containers or purpose-made inserts keep cards, tokens, dice and meeples organised, and they make setting up the next game much faster. Then secure each lid with a strap or a wide rubber band so nothing spills if the box is knocked. 

If an expansion no longer fits in its original box, consider combining it with the base game in one sturdy container, and keep the empty expansion box flat or recycle it. Fewer boxes means a lot more room on your shelves. 

Keep a few spare bags and bands in the games cupboard so you can repack quickly after a game, rather than leaving pieces loose in the box. 

Rotate the games you rarely play 

Most households have a core of games that get played regularly and a long tail that comes out once or twice a year. Keep the favourites on the shelf, then rotate the rest. Store the less-played games in labelled tubs or boxes, and swap a few back in every couple of months. Rotation keeps your games night fresh, frees up shelves, and means the whole collection doesn't need to live in the lounge room. For larger collections, hobby storage outside the home is a practical way to keep the long tail safe until it's needed. 

When you rotate, keep a short list of what's in each tub. Swapping a few games back in then becomes a five-minute job rather than an afternoon of searching.

Smart Storage Ideas for Video Games and Consoles 

Video game storage ideas need to balance two goals: keeping the setup you play every day tidy and accessible, and protecting the consoles and games you're not using right now. 

Shelving, drawers and cable management 

For the consoles you use, leave room around each one for airflow and avoid stacking them on top of each other, which can trap heat. Keep games in their cases on a shelf or in a drawer, standing upright like books. Wall-mounted holders or a small stand keeps controllers and headsets off the floor and out of the way, and a drawer with dividers works well for chargers and spare controllers. 

Cables are where most gaming setups become messy. Label each cable with a tag or a strip of masking tape, so you know which console it belongs to, and bundle spares in clear bags, one bag per system. It takes ten minutes and saves a lot of frustration. 

If you game in a shared living area, consider a TV unit with closed doors. It hides consoles and cables when they're not in use, cuts down on dust, and keeps controllers away from younger children. Just check the cabinet still allows enough airflow while consoles are running. 

Packing consoles for long-term storage 

If you're learning how to store video game consoles long term, start by powering the console down completely and wiping off surface dust. Disconnect and label every cable, controller and power supply, then bag them separately so nothing scratches the console. Wrap the console in a soft, breathable cover, pad it well, and pack it in a sturdy lidded tub with a moisture absorber. Original packaging is ideal if you still have it; otherwise, a well-padded tub is the next best thing. The StorHub Box Shop has boxes, bubble wrap and tape if you need packing supplies. 

Keep packed consoles off the floor, away from external walls and out of direct sunlight. If your console has a removable battery or a clock battery, follow the manufacturer's guidance on whether to remove it before long-term storage, since a leaking battery can damage the circuitry. 

Before you pack a console away, note its account details, any saved data you want to keep, and which accessories belong to it. A short note taped inside the tub saves guesswork when you set it up again. 

Discs, cartridges and manuals 

Discs and cartridges are small but sensitive. Store discs in their cases, upright, and handle them by the edges. Keep cartridges in cases or sleeves, standing upright rather than loose in a tub where they can rub against each other. Both should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, which can warp discs and fade labels. Manuals and inserts are paper, so keep them flat and dry, ideally in sleeves, rather than folded into a crowded case. 

If you have a large disc collection, consider a dedicated media drawer or shelf unit with the spines facing out. Being able to read every title briefly makes it far more likely that games get played and returned to the right place. 

If much of your library is digital, the physical side is simpler, but keep spare controllers, headsets and charging docks together in one labelled tub, so they don't drift around the house. 

Retro and Collectible Games: Protecting Value 

For collectors, condition is everything. A boxed retro game with its manual and inserts can be worth far more than the cartridge alone, and creased, faded or water-damaged packaging is hard to restore. Retro game storage is mostly about protecting the paper and cardboard parts as carefully as the games themselves. 

Boxes, manuals and inserts 

Clear box protectors are one of the best investments a collector can make. They stop dust, scuffs, and crushed corners, and they let you display boxes without handling them. Keep manuals and paper inserts in acid-free sleeves, and store boxes upright on a shelf rather than stacked. For high-value items, photograph each one and keep a simple inventory of what you own and its condition. That record is useful if you ever sell, insure or need to claim a damaged item. 

If you buy and sell retro games, keep receipts and list screenshots with your inventory. They help show what you paid and the condition at the time, which is useful for insurance and resale. 

Light is easy to overlook. Direct sunlight fades printed boxes and labels surprisingly quickly, so keep display shelves away from windows or use curtains during the brightest part of the day. 

Why stable conditions matter 

Heat and moisture damage collections, but so do rapid changes. The National Archives of Australia's storage standard notes that fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity speed up deterioration, and that air-conditioned storage should be considered in tropical climates. It's written for official records, but the principle applies just as well to cardboard boxes, paper manuals, and printed labels. Repeated expansion and contraction weaken glue, warps cardboard and can encourage mould in damp conditions. 

In practice, that means choosing an inner room or cupboard over an external wall, a garage or a shed, and adding moisture absorbers to tubs that hold paper items. If your collection is large or valuable enough that home storage isn't practical, a storage unit with suitable conditions is worth considering. 

Tabletop Miniatures, Trading Cards and Puzzles 

Tabletop miniatures are the most fragile part of many collections. Painted figures can chip, snap or rub against each other, so store them in foam-lined cases or magnetic carry cases designed for miniatures, with each figure in its own slot. Keep cases flat and avoid stacking heavy items on top. For large armies or scenery, label each case clearly so you can find the right models before a game without opening everything. 

Paints, brushes and hobby tools need a home too. Keep paint pots upright in a closed container with lids sealed tightly, away from heat. Store spray cans and solvents as the label directs and check the storage agreement before taking aerosols or solvents into a storage unit. 

Trading cards need protection from bending, light, and moisture. Valuable cards belong in sleeves and top loaders, while bulk cards can live in sturdy card boxes stored upright. Keep card boxes off the floor and away from windows and add a moisture absorber to larger storage boxes. Binders work well for display, but avoid overfilling them, which can warp pages and bend cards. 

Jigsaw puzzles are simpler but bulky. Store boxes flat rather than upright, so the lids don't split, and bag the pieces inside each box, so nothing escapes if a box is dropped. If you have a large puzzle collection, keep a few on rotation at home and store the rest, just as you would with board games.

Where Not to Store Your Games 

Some of the most common storage spots in Australian homes are also the worst for games. The garage is the obvious one: it can get very hot in summer, it's often dusty, and it may be exposed to moisture after heavy rain. If you're tempted to use it, our guide to storage for hot garages explains the risks, and reclaiming your garage covers how to free it up for the car again. 

Sheds, roof cavities, and the area under the house have the same problems, usually with less protection from pests. Car boots are another trap: a game left in the car on a summer afternoon can warp in a single day. Even inside the home, avoid shelves next to windows that get afternoon sun, spots beside heaters or air-conditioning vents, and anywhere near laundries or bathrooms where humidity builds up. 

Pets and pests are worth considering as well. Chewed cables, nibbled cardboard and pet hair in console vents are common problems, so closed tubs and cupboards are safer than open floor storage in busy households. 

A good rule of thumb is to store games where you'd be comfortable sitting for an hour on a hot day. If the room is too hot or stuffy for you, it's too hot for your collection. 

When Off-Site Storage Makes Sense 

Keeping a collection of homework until it doesn't. These are the moments when moving part of it into storage tends to make sense: 

• The collection has outgrown its shelves: you have more games than you can play in a year, and the rest are piling up on the floor or in the hallway. 
• Your moving or renovating games are easy to damage during a move, and packing them away safely for a few weeks or months removes one worry. 
• A room is changing use: the games room becomes a nursery, a home office or a guest room, and the collection needs a new home. 
• You're downsizing: a smaller home has less room for displaying shelves and games tables. 
• Part of the collection is valuable: you want retro or collectible items kept away from the risks of home storage, such as heat and accidental damage. 

If you're storing younger children's toys as well, our toy storage ideas for younger kids have plenty of options for the home. Students between semesters can also look at storage for students. 

Off-site storage also helps when you're building a collection over time. Rather than finding a new spot in the house for every purchase, you can keep a well-organised archive of boxed items in one place, ready to bring home whenever you want to play or display them. 

Choosing the Right Unit Size for a Game Collection 

Most game collections need less room than people expect, especially once boxes are stacked upright on shelving inside the unit. 

Indicative only, based on StorHub's published size guide. Actual capacity depends on box sizes and how you pack; confirm current unit sizes on the facility page. 

Inside the unit, use freestanding shelving so boxes can stand upright, keep the heaviest tubs on the bottom, and leave a narrow walkway so you can reach games at the back. Label tubs on at least two sides and keep a list or photo of what's on your phone. When you want to swap games in or out, you'll know exactly where everything is. 

If you plan to visit often to swap games, choose a facility on your regular route and check its access hours, so a quick rotation fits easily into your week. 

How StorHub Can Help 

StorHub offers storage units from about 1 m² up to 50 m², so there's a size to suit a single shelf of games or a whole games room. Storage is month-to-month, and StorHub notes you can upsize, downsize or move out at no additional cost, which suits collections that grow and shrink over time. You can see how StorHub works before you book and check current promotions. 

For security, StorHub lists 24-hour CCTV, individual unit alarms and PIN-coded access, and you can use a padlock of your choice. Some features vary by site: 

• StorHub Braeside features climate-controlled units, a good fit for retro collections and paper-based items. 
• StorHub Seaford, Fyshwick and Miranda list 24/7 storage access and use app based keyless entry. 
• Access hours differ between facilities, so check out the facility page for the site you're considering. 

For valuable collections, StoreProtect offers protection for stored goods; check the details on the StoreProtect page. StorHub also offers a free move-in van for bigger loads, and staff are on site six days a week to help you choose a unit. Call 1300 713 358 or browse the StorHub FAQs for more. 

If you're still deciding, you can visit a StorHub facility for a tour and see unit sizes in person before you sign up. Bringing a rough list of what you want to store makes it easier for staff to suggest the right size. 

Game Storage Checklist 

Run through this checklist before you pack your collection away: 

Frequently Asked Questions 

More answers on the StorHub FAQ page → 

Q: What's the best way to store board games? 

A: Store board games upright like books on deep, sturdy shelves, with the heaviest boxes at the bottom. Bags lose components, so pieces don't mix when boxes stand on their side, and secure lids with straps or wide rubber bands. Keep favourites within reach and rotate games you rarely play into a cupboard or storage unit. 

Q: How do you store video game consoles for a long time? 

A: Power the console down, clean off dust, and disconnect and label every cable. Wrap the console in a soft, breathable cover, pad it inside a sturdy lidded tub, and keep it off the floor in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Follow the manufacturer's guidance on removing batteries before long-term storage. 

Q: Is it safe to store video games in a garage in Australia? 

A: For anything valuable, it's best avoided. Garages, sheds and roof cavities can get very hot in summer and swing between hot days and cooler nights, which can warp plastic and damage cardboard and paper. Australian government preservation guidance recommends keeping paper-based items out of sheds and attics, in a cool, dry, dark place. 

Q: How do you protect retro games and collectibles? 

A: Keep boxes in clear protectors, store manuals and inserts in acid-free sleeves, and stand cartridges upright in cases. Add moisture absorbers to storage tubs, keep everything out of direct sunlight, and avoid places with big temperature swings. Photograph valuable items and keep a simple inventory in case you ever need to make an insurance claim. 

Q: Can I store a game collection in a self-storage unit? 

A: Yes, if it's packed well. Use lidded tubs, padding and moisture absorbers, keep items off the floor, and store boxes upright. StorHub lists 24-hour CCTV, individual unit alarms and PIN-coded access, and StorHub Braeside features climate-controlled units. Check what each facility offers before you book and consider StoreProtect for valuable collections. 

Q: What size storage unit do I need for a game collection? 

A:  Many game collections fit in a locker of around 1–2 m², which suits a large board game library or several boxed consoles. If you're also storing a display cabinet, gaming chair or desk, a small unit of around 4–5 m² is a sensible starting point. Use StorHub's Visual Size Estimator to check before you book. 

Q: How can I make room for games in a small home? 

A: Use vertical shelving, storage ottomans, under-bed drawers and wall-mounted controller holders, and cull duplicates and games nobody plays. Keep a rotating selection at home and move the rest into storage, swapping games every few months. That keeps living areas tidy without giving up any part of your collection.