BoxThrone storage is expensive, but it offers a bespoke storage solution that will fit any game ... [+]
Board games have seen a major resurgence in recent years, becoming one of the world's most beloved gaming hobbies. The only real downside to that hobby, especially compared with digital games, is the sheer physical space an expansive board game collection can take up. Once you have more than a handful of games, you really need to consider what the best board game storage solution for your home might be.
There are companies that make products specifically designed to cradle your board games and keep them safe, but there are also more generic book case, shelving unit, and coffee table storage solutions which give you some more versatile ways to store your games. Whether you have a massive collection and are in desperate need of maximizing your board game storage, or just want somewhere to put your favorite games where they're within easy reach, here are the best boardgame storage solutions you can buy.
The Popular One
Ikea Kallax
Dimensions: 71.63 x 71.63 x 15.375-inches (L x H X D)
Ask any board gaming group what the best boardgame storage solution is, and at least one person will recommend the Ikea Kallax shelving unit, whether it's the narrower two column unit, or the more expansive five column one. These units are big, affordable, and offer segmented sections which are an excellent fit for all manner of board games, big and small. Ikea also offers a number of customizable solutions, from drawers, to cupboard doors, letting buyers tweak their Kallax board game storage in many ways.
It's not a perfect board game storage solution, with each cube being arguably too deep for most board games, making for some wasted space. They're also quite tall, encouraging board game stacking, which purists would blanch at.
Those minor issues aside though, the Kallax provides enough storage for up to 50 large size board games or many more smaller games and expansions, and at well under $200, it's one of the best board game storage solutions available. If you don't have an Ikea near you, or you prefer to buy something like the Kallax elsewhere, the Better Homes and Gardens Cube Organizer is available at a similar price with a very similar feature set.
The Premium Board Game Storage Solution
BoxThrone Shelving Columns
Dimensions: 48 x 61.8 x 15-inches (L x H x D)
BoxThrone makes board game storage shelves that are designed with that very specific purpose in mind, and its BoxKing shelving unit has some unique features which aren't found anywhere else. Each individual shelf is designed to hold just one game, providing adequate support for each box and no additional weight on top to damage them or the internal components. You can place the shelves exactly where you like and whatever height you want too, so you can fit games of any size and shape, and create a seamless wall of games with no wasted space.
Each BoxKing is entirely modular, so you can stack them on top of each other, put them side to side, or attach additional BoxThrone storage units, helping you expand your board game storage as your collection grows. That feature is also useful when changing your furniture layout or when it’s time to move, helping to customize your storage for your new living space. Each unit comes with hidden wall anchors to make them sturdy and prevent tips and falls, and optional accessories like play mode holders, glass display shelves and drawers give you all the space you need for everything in your board gaming collection.
A Slimline Cupboard Option
Sauder HomePlus Tall 2-Door Storage Cabinet
Dimensions: 23.3 x 70.9 x 17-inches (L x H x D)
If you want to keep your board games tidied away from the sticky fingers of your children, or from the dust and dirt of every day life, then a storage cabinet can be a great board game storage solution. The only problem with most cabinets is that they aren't deep enough—not so with the Sauder HomePlus.
At over 17 inches deep, this model has more than enough space for most board games, and with four adjustable shelves, you can decide how many games are stored on each of them, with as much headroom as you want to give them. If you'd like to install an internal light, the enclosed back panel has cord access, so it's easy to route one through. It's available in four different colors and can easily be stacked side by side with multiple cabinets, making it easy to expand your board game storage and maintain a consistent theme.
Best For Mini Expansions and Accessories
Sauder HomePlus Pantry Cabinet
Dimensions: 35.4 x 71.2 x 17-inches (L x H x D)
Some board games come with lots of accessories, miniature expansions, updates, additional models, game boards, mats, and more, making cohesive storage a difficult venture. That's especially true with board game storage that is designed for big box games only. A great way around that is with a Pantry Cabinet, like this Sauder HomePlus model.
Although designed with canned goods and other long-life perishables in mind, it's a great solution for smaller game boxes, kids’ board games, miniatures of various sizes, and game accessories like mats, card trays and dice towers. Along with six expansive internal shelves, you can fit one of the doors with its own built-in shelves. Filling them does restrict the amount of space you have for big box games on the main shelves, but four of them are adjustable, so you can move them to the position that is most useful for you.
Like the slimmer Sauder HomePlus 2-door cabinet, this pantry cabinet features adjustable base levelers for placement on even canted floors, as well as cord access in the back panel for adding your own lighting or other powered device.
The Deep-Enough Book Case
Sauder Select Collection 5-Shelf Bookcase
Dimensions: 35.3 x 69.8 x 13.2-inches (L x H x D)
Most bookcases, as their name suggests, aren't designed to fit board games and are too shallow as a result. Although most big box board games will still overhang the Sauder Select Collection Bookcase by a little, this one is deep enough to avoid any egregious extension beyond the shelves. At nearly 70 inches tall with five shelves to use, there's plenty of space for a growing collection too.
Three of the shelves are adjustable, making room for bigger boxes or the option of segregating a few boxes into individual shelves if they're more valuable than the ones around them, and the overall construction process is designed to be quick and easy. A smart and attractive bookcase that has plenty of space for use as board game storage too.
Under Seat Storage
Better Homes and Gardens Storage Bench
Dimensions: 42 x 17.9 x 17-inches (L x H x D)
A storage bench is another clever way to hide your board games to keep them safe from sticky fingers and prying eyes. This padded bench from Better Homes and Gardens is attractive and understated, and you'd never know that it has enough space inside to store so much fun.
Perfect for the end of the bed, acting as a living room foot stool, or even expanding the seating of your dining room table, this covered storage bench is comfortable to sit on and has the room for a handful of big box games or a greater number of smaller ones. Its stitching is attractive and fray free, and it can be easily opened by lifting the lightweight hinged lid. This affordable board game storage solution comes in a choice of four distinct colors: gray, blue, red and beige.
Coffee Table Hideaway
Sauder Carson Forge Coffee Table
Dimensions: 43.2 x 19 x 19.4-inches (L x H x D)
If you have a favorite game that you get out time and again to play with friends in your living room, having your board games stored somewhere on the edge of the room or in another room entirely is an unnecessary inconvenience. Grab one of these Sauder Carson Forge coffee tables and store your most-played games right inside.
Not only is it a sturdy, attractive coffee table with some sliding storage areas at its base, the entire top surface of this table lifts off, revealing an expansive storage area underneath. It's definitely suited to smaller games than some of the big box ones out there, but if you were only storing one, most of those would fit too. There's even enough space for all your board gaming accessories, like dice trays, dice coffins, and card holders.
There's also all the space you'd need for roleplaying components, including pads and pens. If you don't have the space for a big dining table to sit everyone around, a coffee table like this can be a great way to get everyone together and keep their figures and character sheets stored safely.
