HOW TO ORGANIZE VIDEO GAMES

Let’s start with a disclaimer: I don’t play video games. But, I am an organizer. I am also a mom who loves organizing for my child. My child doesn’t play video games. So, everything I am sharing here are my tips for organizing video games on my limited knowledge of what is all involved in the video game world. However, I am extensively knowledgeable on how to organize all shapes and sizes and quantities of things for quick and easy access. So, here are my best tips on how to organize all the rectangular shaped things called video games. And, did you know, you can also organize your spaces according to your organizing style? You can find out what your organizing style is here.

Before organizing your video games, you must purge the damaged items and the ones that you do not play anymore. Be ruthless and purge the excess so you can more easily store what you do play. (I understand that some might be collectibles of high value. So, in that case, ignore everything I just said.)

In my freebie library here, I include guides which help walk you through the organizing process and help you decide what to purge and keep. I also include my declutter and organizing challenge calendars and guides to help direct you through each area of your home. These guides ensure you get through every nook and cranny and finally get to the other side of clutter … an organized and functional space!

In this post, we focus on how to organize video games. Below, I share ideas on how to organize video games with different types of organizing solutions that will work for your organizing styles and spaces. (I also share how to organize toys, board games, sports equipment, CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes.)

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Video Game Storage Solutions

Because video games typically come in rectangular packaging, they are actually the simplest thing to organize. The size and type of the systems you create to organize your video games depends on your investment in video game playing and whether you would like to display them or not. You may be on one end of the spectrum where you are a casual video game player who maybe plays the latest game for a bit, then sells it, and purchases the next latest game. Or, you may be an indefinite collector meaning you intend to keep your collection and are not sure how long you will continue to add to it. Whatever your video game playing preference, here are some organizing solutions to keep it all contained and accessible.

Open Storage

For the serious video game collector, since you are not sure how large your collection might become, it is best that you simply use bookshelves or your entertainment center/media cabinet to contain your video games. Storage solutions designed to contain video games typically have a limited number of games that they can store. Also, as you find you need more storage, the same storage solution might not be available to purchase. And so your video game storage starts to look less like a curated collection and more like a hoarder’s palace as your containment becomes mismatched or non-existent. So, I say purchase the standard bookcases that are consistently available like the Billy bookcase at IKEA. So, whenever you need a new bookshelf, you have a coordinating option readily available. To contain the different sizes of game packaging together on each shelf, you will want adjustable shelves like what is included on these, for example (found here):

For the non-collector or more casual video game player, utilizing a few simple shelves like these can help to not only contain your video games but also to contain your controllers along with other decor or paraphernalia (found here):

Honestly, the shelves above are great for the collector to display their favorites as well!

Closed Storage

Sometimes you either don’t want to display your video games or your place doesn’t have the best configuration for storing your video games on display.

Aesthetically-Pleasing Storage

For those who don’t want your video games to be visible simply due to your personal aesthetic, you can simply use a closed cabinet or drawers. Another great solution to beautifully contain anything you would rather not display are decorative boxes like this which can store smaller game cartridges (found here):

… and this for larger video games (found here):

Space-Saving Storage

For the video game collector who likes to store their collection tucked away (or just needs to do so due to space limitations), here are ideas on how to protect and contain your video games. If you must separate your games from their containers, there are custom organizing solutions available for each type of cartridge. My only hesitation in using those is that they are limiting regarding the quantity and type of games you can contain. Also, if your collection grows and you find that you need more of the same storage case, it might not be available to purchase again. So, just like you would keep in mind for your bookcases, you will want to utilize something that is consistently available to purchase as needed like this storage case (found here):

The storage case above is available in two capacities. Depending on how quickly you intend to grow your collection, you can utilize the smaller or larger capacity version, and then purchase more as needed.

To protect and store your video game cases, there are also cases designed specifically for containing them. Again, those can limiting and I suggest using a more universal storage solution that is readily available as needed. So, utilizing totes can make more sense regarding containing your growing collection. I suggest utilizing a container with straight sides like this since video game containers have straight sides (found here) (just remember to not pack your video game containers too tightly to avoid damage):

For those who are super limited on space, you can utilize underbed storage bags like these (found here):

There are bed risers available to lift your bed higher to allow for more storage.

I hope you found some ideas for how to organize your video games for your organizing style and/or the space that you have! In my next post, I share how to digitize CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes. Don’t forget to grab my free resources from my freebie library here. Let’s get to the other side of clutter … an organized and functional space!

Happy Organizing!