Magazines bring color, inspiration, and knowledge into our homes. But after you’ve read them, all those back issues start to pile up. Magazine storage is a common organizational struggle. With some creative solutions, you can corral all those periodicals and keep them neatly filed away, but still accessible when you want to revisit an issue. Here are 8 great solutions for organizing your magazine collection.
Use Magazine Holders
One of the most popular ways to file magazines is with magazine holders or racks. These come in a variety of styles to suit your needs:
Wall-Mounted
Wall-mounted magazine racks are great for freeing up floor and shelf space. Attach them to the wall, load them up with magazines, and access your favorite issues easily. Choose rack sizes and designs to fit the wall space available.
Freestanding
Freestanding magazine racks come as narrow vertical files or wider horizontal shelving units. Place them wherever you have room. Their portable design means you can move them around as needed. Some rolling magazine racks allow you to easily wheel your magazine collection to wherever you need it.
Desktop
Keep your most recent issues handy by filing them in a desktop magazine holder. These sit on your desk or table so your magazines are right where you need them. Choose different holder sizes to accommodate more or fewer magazines.
Under Shelf
Under shelf magazine racks efficiently use space by securing to the underside of shelves or cabinets. Hang them in your home office, kitchen, bathroom, or any room with shelving to add extra storage.
File in Magazine Binders
Magazine binders allow you to save and neatly organize specific issues. Slip each magazine into one of the binder’s sleeves to keep covers and pages protected and intact. Use binders to file special editions or to keep magazines organized by month or year. Binders come in slipcase and post styles.
Use File Boxes
Sturdy file boxes are ideal for storing large magazine collections. Label the boxes by category or date to stay organized. File individual issues neatly into the boxes, then stack or shelving the boxes to keep them out of the way but easy to access when needed. Plastic magazine file boxes allow you to see their contents without opening.
Try Hanging Files
Another filing solution for magazines is hanging files. Insert magazines into manila file folders labeled with the category or month. File those folders in a hanging file drawer organizer or box. The folders keep issues neatly separated and labeled. Hanging files are great for basement and garage storage where files can be kept safe from moisture.
Make Your Own Magazine Boxes
For a custom storage solution, create DIY magazine boxes to store your collection. All you need are cardboard boxes. Measure your magazines and cut cardboard to size, allowing a half-inch extra height and width so magazines slide in easily. Fold the cardboard at the corners and edges for extra durability. Decorate the boxes with spray paint, duct tape, or scrapbook paper to make them unique. Label your homemade magazine boxes before filling them with issues.
Buy or Make a Magazine Basket
Handwoven baskets make attractive magazine storage. Choose baskets sized to accommodate your collection or individual categories. Store by folding magazines horizontally or vertically. You can also sew simple fabric magazine baskets if you’re crafty. Use cotton fabric and make boxes with or without lids. Line baskets with felt or fabric to protect your magazine covers.
Pick Magazine Storage Furniture
Another option is to choose furniture designed to organize magazines. An old library card catalog cabinet works perfectly with those little drawers for different issues. Storage ottomans often have interior magazine racks to file away many issues in one space. Some coffee tables and end tables incorporate storage just for magazines. Bookcases designed especially for storing magazines have thoughtfully sized shelves and dividers to neatly organize a large collection.
Utilize Magazine Racks
Magazine racks provide specially designed spaces to store magazines attractively. Choose from corner magazine racks to maximize space, rotating magazine racks that allow easy browsing, tree-style racks to store many issues in a small footprint, or two-tiered racks to double your storage. Many racks come in neutral finishes like black, brown, or white to blend into existing room décor. Racks keep magazines neatly displayed and easily accessible.
Ask the Experts for Advice
For hands-on recommendations from professional organizers on the best solutions for your unique magazine storage needs:
- Consult with expert organizers for tips on choosing storage methods and products that will work best for your available space, budget, and the size of your collection. Some specialize in creating streamlined home offices or media rooms.
- Get personalized guidance. Tell an expert organizer about your goals for your magazine collection, like easy browsing or long-term archiving. They can suggest tailored storage solutions to meet those specific needs.
- Have an organizer do a home consultation. They can analyze your current organizational systems, measure your space, and design a custom magazine filing solution for maximum efficiency.
The right storage solutions will help you rein in your magazine clutter into an organized system that makes issues easy to find, access, and maintain. Get your collection under control so you can spend time enjoying reading your magazines, not just looking for them!
Frequently Asked Questions About Magazine Storage
Magazine storage is a common need in many homes today. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the best ways to organize and store magazine collections of all sizes:
How do I organize a large magazine collection?
For large collections, use a mix of storage methods. File issues in magazine boxes by category or date. Use shelving units, baskets, and magazine racks to store the boxes and make them easy to access. Remove older issues from boxes periodically to archive them and keep your system organized.
What’s the best way to store magazines without damaging them?
Look for storage methods that keep magazine pages intact and protected. Archival-quality magazine file boxes, binders with plastic sleeves, and magazine racks or shelves with dividers prevent damage. Avoid stuffing magazines tightly onto shelves or into crowded boxes.
Where is the best place to store magazines in a house?
Choose cool, dry, and dark spaces for longevity. Basements, closets, and under beds allow flat storage and prevent sun damage. Display current issues in racks in living rooms or dens for handy reading. Limit kitchen or bathroom storage to just current issues away from moisture.
How do I organize my magazines by topic or type?
Use magazine boxes, binders, or hanging files labeled with different topics like “Cooking,” “Home Improvement,” or “Health.” Or group by magazine title in different boxes. Establish a consistent system for your needs. An inventory list taped inside each box helps track what’s filed where.
Can I store magazines in plastic bins or cardboard boxes?
Yes, both work. Plastic bins are more durable and protect from moisture. Cardboard is economical but can warp or deteriorate over time. Reinforce cardboard boxes with duct tape. Avoid using acidic boxes and line any box with plastic sheeting for added moisture protection.
How do I access my magazines easily if they are all boxed up?
Label magazine boxes clearly on the side and front so you know what’s inside. Use large, visible text. Keep boxes neatly organized on shelving, rotated with oldest issues toward the back. Remove out-of-season issues to archives. Keep only current year issues handy.
What’s the most space-efficient way to store magazines?
Look for vertical filing options like magazine racks, wall hooks, hanging files, or narrow bins. These allow stacking titles vertically to save floor footprint. Also consider doubling up with under-shelf racks or two-sided units. Rotate less current issues to under-bed or basement archival storage.
How do I store vintage or collectible magazines?
Old and delicate issues need archival storage. Use acid-free boxes, sleeves, or tissue. Control temperature and humidity. Keep away from direct light. Consider investing in protective covers, sleeves, or binding to prevent wear and tears over time. Handle gently and limit handling older issues.
Conclusion
There are many innovative solutions for organizing your magazine collection. Identify your needs in terms of space constraints, budget, and accessibility. Look for storage options that fit your collection size and allow you to easily access and enjoy your magazines. Combining methods like baskets, racks, boxes, and furnishings provides versatility. Implement your organizational system and maintain it by periodically culling outdated issues. Your magazines will be neatly stored and ready to provide inspiration and information right at your fingertips.
