Storage solutions: Alexs1979
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Alex, aka Alexs1979, shows us how he stores his loose parts:
It wasn’t until I was in my mid 30’s that my dark ages passed, and 7 years on, one set bought as a Christmas present (10220 Volkswagen T1 Camper Van) has turned into a new and all-consuming passion.
I’m very lucky to have almost an entire room to devote to Lego as my wife is also a fan and very understanding. We began with Lego in the lounge which quickly became unsustainable and after moving home, we were able to devote the attic room to Lego (and my wife’s craft). Our criteria was that the Lego room needed to store all the Lego parts and sets and have build space without becoming overbearing and taking away from the light filled atmosphere it had.
The way the room is decked out has evolved over time as funds have become available and as the collection has grown. The desks are Ikea Kallax units which allow for extra storage, with Linnmon table tops perched on top.
Like Deborah, the pieces I use most frequently are kept close by in an Ikea Alex drawer next to my chair with Wham 5.05 boxes on top holding lots of Minifigure accessories and other small parts.
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The other pieces are spilt between clear A4 boxes (Weston Boxes) which are great for storing instructions and medium sized pieces (1x bricks, animals, windows etc). Then, the pieces I use least often are stored in standard 32L underbed boxes, mounted on a dollies and lined with Ikea cutlery trays. There are currently nearly 40 of these underbed boxes with the majority holding complete Lego sets in zip lock bags. I’ve found this combination firstly, relatively inexpensive and secondly, scalable for the times when I get new stock in.
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The sets on display are the most cherished – each has a memory or special significance – my Technic Backhoe Grader from childhood, the VW Camper which ended my dark ages and MOCs such as the Arvo Brothers’ Kaneda’s bike. They sit on some custom made shelves to fit an awkward space beside the chimney breast. The modulars then sit on Ikea Galant tables and move around depending on what the space is needed for.
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The solution I found best for dust is to rotate the sets. My family and I will tend to build a large set and put it in the lounge for a couple of months (currently Hogwarts 71043), then dismantle it and put it in one of the storage boxes. The modulars, however, need a bit more TLC and get the vacuum cleaner with soft brush attachment once every year or so.
Much of what I have comes from used bundles I buy that start as piles of mess and end up nicely categorised by type. Like many others, my first attempt was to sort by colour, but having learnt the hard way, there was a mass reorganisation a few years ago to categorise by type which makes everything far easier to find. I owe a debt of gratitude to Jangbricks who’s Youtube video of his method of organisation shaped my own and I can highly recommend a watch for anyone thinking of re-organising their Lego.
There’s something wonderfully cathartic and satisfying about bringing order to chaos when sorting Lego – my guilty secret is that I find myself enjoying the sorting and organising as much as the builds!
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19 comments on this article
Good to see some love for Wham boxes, they are excellent small part storage. And no need to feel guilty about enjoying the sorting as much as the building - you are not alone!
Ikea Kallax units are really good. I've got the 5x5 one in my room and it displays LEGO really well.
“Hmmm, where did I leave my other Panasonic Lumix lens?”
I see some great storage solutions, thanks!
I love what you have done with the attic conversion with plenty of natural light. Clear plastic containers are a must as you can see what is inside. Similar to yourself I use lots of the assortment, jewellery, small craft boxes you can find online or at DIY/homeware stores, with a clear lid and a different colored box for say mini-fig accessories, tiles, Technic connectors etc.
I love how airy and fresh this room feels!
Do I spot a Akira bike on the shelf?! I‘d love to see that from up close. ^^
I am enjoying the aesthetics of your Lego room and even the peak inside the individual containers. Another room just to smile at as you enter:) I am definitely going to be reorganizing my plate drawer to create those lovely arches and sideways stacks. Thanks!
Top! Where do the white dividers come from?
I love these articles. I show them to my wife and say "Look - I don't own THAT much LEGO! It's not taking over our house anything like this guy's! HIS wife watches Dead To Me on her own!!!!"
Ikea, Ikea, Ikea. I hope higher-ups at Lego, and Ikea is reading these posts as it seems that these two companies would be a perfect match!
I envision a Lego Ikea store filled with fun furnishings, flat-packs and meatballs, while Ikea has a special Organize your Lego area in the kids department.
Scandinavian awesomeness!
Wow! Love this room layout! Nicely done.
Large windows and lots of natural light... Very refreshing working (playing) encironment. Nicely done my friend.
@Khamsin said:
"Ikea, Ikea, Ikea. I hope higher-ups at Lego, and Ikea is reading these posts as it seems that these two companies would be a perfect match!
I envision a Lego Ikea store filled with fun furnishings, flat-packs and meatballs, while Ikea has a special Organize your Lego area in the kids department.
Scandinavian awesomeness!
"
Thats already happening.
https://newsroom.inter.ikea.com/news/ikea-and-lego-group-to-introduce-bygglek-for-more--yes--to-play/s/dbb23e88-f361-4e45-9181-dec31ec4904f
@curtydc said:
" @Khamsin said:
"Ikea, Ikea, Ikea. I hope higher-ups at Lego, and Ikea is reading these posts as it seems that these two companies would be a perfect match!
I envision a Lego Ikea store filled with fun furnishings, flat-packs and meatballs, while Ikea has a special Organize your Lego area in the kids department.
Scandinavian awesomeness!
"
Thats already happening.
https://newsroom.inter.ikea.com/news/ikea-and-lego-group-to-introduce-bygglek-for-more--yes--to-play/s/dbb23e88-f361-4e45-9181-dec31ec4904f"
I think this storage solution is geared more towards kids being able to pickup in play where they last left off, instead of bulk storage solutions that an AFOL would want/need.
@Alexs1979 Very nice and organized room. I'm assuming if you ever visit the PAB wall you stack plates and bricks very methodically. :)
I use IKEA shelves, storage boxes and table to build on. Strange how this works out just nicely ??
I love attic rooms so think yours is the most beautiful LEGO space we've seen yet! Thanks for sharing.
@sebitsena said:
"Top! Where do the white dividers come from?"
They look like Ikea cutlery drawer inserts to me, very cheap and clever way of dividing up parts.
I love all of these articles but everything is so tidy! My room is dominated by the main city layout and a large shelf with sculptures and technic vehicles but the parts are a bombsite - my partner doesn't object as her 'shoe room' suffers the same problem...
My reluctance to get suitable storage containers is a result of lack of space and finances and a Wife who isn't on-board this titanic in on. Jealous of anyone with a dedicated room and impressive sorting/storage methods. Ziploc for colour and expandable opening floor bag for loose parts. This method takes me back to biscuit box of Lego from childhood and the noise of stirring lego to find one particular piece in a mess