Posted on Tuesday, 11th November 2025
When you invest in vinyl records, you want to keep them sounding their best for as long as possible, and that all comes down to proper storage. It’s not just about making sure your collection looks tidy, it’s about protecting that top sound quality and preventing any damage.
This guide will teach you how to store your vinyls properly, and keep your favourite albums in mint condition.
Collection growing faster than you can handle? Check out our flexible, short- and long-term storage options. We guarantee to keep your records safe in carefully controlled conditions until you find their new home.
Why bother with proper vinyl storage? Simple – to protect your investment and your sound.
A vinyl record is much more delicate than a CD or other formats; get the storage wrong and you risk damaging your record. Vinyls are made from a type of plastic that, when stored incorrectly, can warp, be scratched, or even crack, permanently wrecking the sound.
You’ve spent good money on your collection – let's make sure it lasts a lifetime.
So, let’s tackle some of the ways you can protect your records from the things that can potentially ruin them. Get these key steps locked down, and you’ll preserve the life of your vinyls for years to come.
Before you even start to store them, it’s really important to make sure your records are clean and dust-free. A simple wipe with a lint-free microfibre cloth, like the ones that come in a glasses case, will make sure you have a solid foundation for your storage efforts.
The three main factors in creating the ideal environment for storing your vinyls are heat, light, and humidity.
Since vinyl records are plastic, heat can damage them quite easily, so you’ll want to make sure they’re clear of any radiators, vents, or other heat sources in your home. Too much moisture or steam will also be a problem for your vinyls, so try to avoid keeping your collection in the kitchen.
In the same way, sunlight can also warp the plastic, so storing your vinyls away from windows and direct sunlight is also key. You don’t want to risk bleaching any of the colours of your favourite album cover!
Out of all our vinyl storage tips, this one is probably the most important for keeping your records safe and damage-free.
Always store your vinyls upright and vertical, making sure you’re not putting your records on top of each other or storing them at an angle.
Inner and outer sleeves are a godsend for protecting your vinyl records from any scratches, dust, or dirt that could cause your music to skip.
Dust can work its way into the grooves on the vinyl surface, causing tiny scratches - or if there’s a lot of dust, the needle to jump.
As your collection grows, it’s tempting to want to squeeze your records closer together, but keeping space between them – enough for you to be able to easily pull one out - is really important. Too much pressure and a lack of airflow is never ideal for vinyl storage.
You could try adding another shelf or unit or even keeping your more delicate and prized vinyl safe in one of our controlled storage options.
So, we’ve covered the why, and the how, now let’s cover the where. There’s plenty of options on the market, for whatever your budget, style, or space, but the perfect storage solution should balance protection with easy access.
Here are some of our top options if you’re looking for inspiration:
Crates are a super affordable and flexible solution, perfect for smaller collections, or for keeping your favourites close to hand.
Open-top boxes, these crates are usually made of wood or a heavy-duty plastic, meaning they’re both portable, and let you easily flick through your collection for that retro ‘crate-digging’ feel.
If you’re considering this option, just remember to make sure the crate is deep enough for an entire record to stand upright.
These types of units are the most common for storing vinyls, and are usually some form of modular cube shelving, that can fit easily into whatever space you like.
They’re ideal for keeping your records vertical and protected, plus there’s the added bonus that they look great, displaying your collection in its full glory.
If you’re after a more high-end look or you want to lean into the vintage nature of your vinyl collection, another choice is a more custom-made or dedicated vinyl cabinet.
While they look beautiful, and often have additional built-in storage for your turntable, they do usually come with a hefty price tag.
Once you’ve followed our steps for correctly storing your vinyls, you can guarantee top quality sound for years to come. If you want added protection or you don’t have the right space for them at home, our personal storage facilities are humidity-controlled and temperature-monitored to keep your items safe and secure. You’ll be able to grab your records at a moment’s notice, whether you want some late-night tunes, or you’re ready to be reunited with your prized collection.
If you need help with other pesky storage conundrums, our content hub is packed with advice, from hallway storage ideas, to storing priceless comic books and treasured photographs.
Yes, absolutely, this is the number one rule for storing vinyls. Keep your records straight up, like books on a shelf, packed together relatively snugly – but not crammed.
Cold is normally safer than heat when it comes to vinyl, but just like any other plastic, extreme cold or quick changes from a very cold room to a very warm room could damage the material.
So, if you’re storing your records in a shed or garage, it’s best to let them slowly reach room temperature before playing them.
While the paper inner sleeves are better than nothing at all, we would recommend swapping the paper out for an anti-static inner sleeve.
Paper can sometimes be too harsh on the vinyl material and can attract dust, which in turn can cause small scratches and effect the record’s sound quality.
The best storage is away from direct sunlight, away from any heat sources, and somewhere dry. We would recommend storing your records in a solid shelving unit with dividers in a living room where the temperature stays quite consistent.
