How to Keep Your Board Game Collection Organized as It Grows

Quick Answer

To keep a growing board game collection organized, establish a regular sorting routine, categorize by type and frequency of play, invest in scalable storage, and track your games digitally. For Roxley Games titles like Santorini and Brass: Birmingham, use their original boxes and consider expansions to enhance gameplay without clutter.

As your love for board games grows, so does your collection. What once fit on a single shelf can quickly overflow into stacks on the floor, making it hard to find the game you want. But an organized collection isn't just about aesthetics—it saves time, protects your games, and makes game nights smoother.

Whether you're a fan of Roxley Games' strategic titles or a collector of various publishers, these practical steps will help you manage your board game collection as it expands. You'll learn how to sort, store, and maintain your games so that every shelf space is used wisely.

Step 1: Sort and Categorize Your Games

Start by taking everything off your shelves and grouping games by category: party games, strategy games, two-player games, or family favorites. You might also sort by player count or complexity, depending on how you choose games. The goal is to create a system that makes sense to you and your group.

For instance, if you own several Roxley Games titles like Radlands: Cult of Chrome and Santorini, you might place them together because they share a similar aesthetic or gameplay weight. This makes it easier to find a game that fits the mood and experience level of your players.

• Use sticky notes or temporary labels to test a categorization before committing to a permanent arrangement.

Step 2: Choose a Storage System That Scales

Invest in shelving that can handle the weight and size of board games. Adjustable shelves are ideal because they let you customize spacing as your collection grows. Cube organizers or deep shelves work well for standard-sized boxes, but be mindful of larger boxes like those from deluxe editions.

For example, the Deluxe Edition of Brass: Birmingham comes with Iron Clays and extra components, making its box larger than typical. Ensure your shelves have enough vertical clearance to accommodate such games. Consider using the original boxes for storage—they are designed to hold components securely, and replacing them with generic containers can lead to damage or loss.

• Measure your tallest game box before buying new shelves to avoid surprises.

Step 3: Implement a Labeling and Tracking System

Once your games are sorted and stored, create a simple labeling system. You can label shelves by category or use color-coded stickers to indicate player count or genre. This helps you and others locate games quickly.

For tracking, consider using a spreadsheet or a board game collection app. Record the game title, publisher, player count, and any expansions you own. This is especially useful when you have many games from the same publisher, like Roxley Games, as it helps you avoid accidental duplicates and remember which expansions you have.

• Take photos of your shelves and store them in a dedicated folder for quick reference when you're out shopping.

Step 4: Rotate and Refresh Your Collection

Even with great organization, a large collection can become overwhelming. To keep things fresh, rotate the games on your most accessible shelves. Store less-played games on higher or lower shelves, and bring seasonal or new favorites to eye level.

This rotation also gives you a chance to revisit games you haven't played in a while. If you find that some games never make it to the table, consider selling or trading them to make room for new additions. This keeps your collection curated and manageable.

• Set a reminder every few months to rotate your shelves and reassess your collection.

Your Step-by-Step Checklist for an Organized Collection

1. Sort and Categorize: Group games by type, player count, or frequency of play. Use temporary labels to test your system. Checkpoint: Can you find any game within a minute?
2. Choose Scalable Storage: Invest in adjustable shelving that fits both standard and oversized boxes. Use original boxes for component storage. Checkpoint: Are all boxes easily accessible and not stacked on the floor?
3. Label and Track: Implement a labeling system and maintain a digital list of your games, including expansions. Checkpoint: Do you know exactly what you own and where it is?
4. Rotate and Refresh: Periodically rotate which games are on display, and consider selling or trading games you no longer play. Checkpoint: Does your collection reflect your current gaming interests?

Roxley Games Products That Help You Organize

• Brass: Birmingham: Deluxe Edition, containing the Iron Clays, and all Kickstarter stretch goals. The Iron Clays provide a premium component experience and eliminate the need for separate token storage, keeping everything neatly in one box. The included stretch goals add variety without requiring extra purchases.
• Santorini Card Pack: No catalog description supplied. Card packs like this are small and easy to store. They offer a low-cost way to expand your game without adding bulky boxes, making them ideal for collectors with limited shelf space.

Keeping a growing board game collection organized is an ongoing process that pays off in more enjoyable game nights and better-preserved games. By sorting, storing, labeling, and rotating your games, you'll always know what you have and find it when you need it. Start with these steps, and your collection will stay as fun to browse as it is to play.