Ditch The Overstuffed Shelves: An Easier, More Stylish Way To Store Vinyl Records
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Your favorite tracks may not take up much space on Spotify, but experts and audiophiles alike agree that when it comes to pure listening pleasure, nothing beats vinyl. But whether you're new to collecting records or you've already got a massive assortment, they can be tricky to store. Vinyl records come in 12-inch, 7-inch, and 10-inch sized discs housed in cardboard covers. No matter which size (or genre) you prefer, keeping them in a humidity-controlled space away from dust and grime is the key to making sure they last. There are several ways to up your vinyl record storage game, but several TikTokers think using a wooden crate is one of the easiest and most stylish ways to ditch the overstuffed shelves.
It's easy to find wooden crates that work well for storing vinyl records if you know where to look. If you can't find one at your local orchard, a trip to a nearby craft or home improvement store will do the trick. Home Depot sells crates in two different sizes, an 18 inch version that works well for growing collections and a 27 inch size that can accommodate way more of your favorites.
While you may feel tempted to snag a few of the plastic milk crates stacked in the back alley of your go-to grocery store, check with a manager before taking them. Typically, they're put out back to be reused during the dairy delivery process, and, according to Milk Crates Direct, the fines for taking one can run between $200 and $1,000! Since that money could buy you a lot of records, we recommend sticking to wood crates instead.
Customize your wooden crate with paint or pot lid holders
Wooden crates are ideal because they're affordable and way easier to use than installing shelves. They're also highly customizable. There's nothing inherently wrong with turning your thrift store records into gorgeous vintage-inspired accent walls or investing a fortune in a custom shelving unit, but TikTok has plenty of ideas for making sure your crates add plenty of visual appeal while keeping your favorite records at your fingertips.
Many people use paint to customize their crates. Since most crates are constructed from unfinished wood, you'll need to do a little prep work to get the best results. Sand any rough spots before applying primer. You can then use acrylic, latex, chalk, or spray paint to create a look that's all your own. If you decide to paint the inside of your crate, remember to let it fully dry and cure before adding your records, since even slightly tacky paint can disastrously stick to your album covers.
@minnesodapop Vinyl storage hack! #vinyl #vinylrecords #records #audiotechnica #taylorswift #AirPodsJUMP #music #diy
Although it's totally optional, @minnesodapop went one step further and put a metal dish drying rack in the bottom of their crates. You can also keep your vinyl record collection organized with an affordable Ikea kitchen find, using inexpensive pot lid holders that can be adjusted to fit the depth your wooden crate perfectly. Both options add a little additional support to your records, which can alleviate pressure from stacking that causes warping over time.