My collection hit the point years ago where it stopped fitting on shelves and started forming unstable towers in corners of the house. My partner was not impressed. If your collection is growing and your storage situation is getting desperate, here are the solutions that actually work.

The Fundamentals

Before we talk about specific products, let’s cover the basics of vinyl storage that apply regardless of what furniture you use.

Always store records vertically. Never stack records flat on top of each other. The weight causes warping, ring wear on sleeves, and potential cracking. This is the most common storage mistake and the one that causes the most damage.

Don’t pack too tightly. Records need to slide in and out easily. If you have to force a record into or out of a shelf space, you’re inviting sleeve damage and potential jacket splits. Leave a little breathing room.

Keep away from heat and sunlight. Direct sunlight warps vinyl faster than anything else. Heat sources — radiators, north-facing windows, appliances — are also enemies. Australian summers can push indoor temperatures high enough to cause warping even without direct sun, so climate awareness matters.

Avoid damp environments. Moisture promotes mould growth on sleeves and can damage vinyl over time. If you’re in a humid climate (hello, Brisbane and Sydney), consider the room’s humidity levels. A dehumidifier in your record room isn’t overkill.

Budget Options

IKEA Kallax (formerly Expedit)

The industry standard for a reason. The Kallax 4x4 unit costs around $179 AUD and holds approximately 500+ records across its 16 cubes. The dimensions are almost perfectly suited to 12-inch vinyl, and the weight capacity per shelf is adequate for a full cube of records.

Pros: Affordable, widely available, modular (you can combine multiple units), looks decent.

Cons: Particle board construction means it’s not indestructible. Heavy collections can cause shelf sag over time, particularly in the longer units. Anchoring to the wall is essential for safety, especially in homes with children.

Tip: Use the horizontal configuration for maximum stability. The vertical 5x1 units are wobbly under the weight of a full load of records.

Secondhand Bookshelves

Op shops, Facebook Marketplace, and garage sales regularly turn up solid timber bookshelves that work perfectly for records. Look for shelves with at least 33cm depth (to accommodate 12-inch records with a little clearance) and sturdy construction.

The advantage of timber over particle board is longevity and load-bearing capacity. A solid hardwood bookshelf will outlast you.

Mid-Range Options

Custom Shelving

If you’re handy or know someone who is, custom-built shelving is the best value proposition for a serious collection. Pine shelving boards from Bunnings, some brackets, and a Saturday afternoon can produce storage that fits your exact space and collection size.

Key dimensions: Internal shelf width of at least 33cm to accommodate LP jackets. Shelf height of at least 33cm for comfortable access. Shelf length of no more than 80cm between supports — any longer and the shelf will sag under the weight of records.

Record Crates and Boxes

Timber crates designed specifically for records are available from Australian makers (search Etsy or local markets) for $40-80 each. They typically hold 50-80 records and can be stacked or used individually.

These work well as a portable and flexible system. You can rearrange, transport, and expand your storage without committing to fixed shelving. The downside is that stacked crates can become unstable at height.

Premium Options

Dedicated Record Furniture

Purpose-built vinyl storage furniture exists and it’s gorgeous, but it comes at a price. Australian makers and international brands offer credenza-style units, sideboard cabinets, and modular systems designed specifically for vinyl collections.

Expect to pay $800-2,000+ for quality dedicated record furniture. Brands like Symbol Audio (American, available through Australian retailers) make beautiful pieces that integrate turntable platforms with record storage.

Is it worth it? If you have the budget and want your collection to look as good as it sounds, absolutely. These pieces are furniture first and storage second, and they elevate the presence of a record collection in your home.

Climate Control Considerations

In Australia specifically, heat is the primary enemy. A few tips for managing temperature:

• Keep records in the coolest room of the house, typically away from north and west-facing windows
• If you don’t have air conditioning, consider where your record storage sits during heatwave periods. Indoor temperatures above 40°C can cause warping
• Avoid garages and sheds unless they’re climate-controlled. The temperature swings in an uninsulated Australian garage are devastating for vinyl
• If you’re storing records in a self-storage unit, choose a climate-controlled facility

The Inner Sleeve Upgrade

While you’re sorting out storage, upgrade your inner sleeves. The paper sleeves that come with most records leave fibres in the grooves and offer no anti-static protection. Replace them with poly-lined or rice paper anti-static inner sleeves. Mobile Fidelity Original Master Recording sleeves are the gold standard, but any poly-lined option is a significant improvement.

In Australia, Vinyl Styl and Mobile Fidelity inner sleeves are available from most record shops and online retailers for $15-25 for a pack of 50. It’s one of the best investments you can make in protecting your collection.

My Setup

For what it’s worth, my home setup is a combination of custom-built timber shelving in the lounge room (holding the active collection I regularly play) and Kallax units in a spare room (holding the deeper catalogue and overflow). Total capacity is around 3,000 records, and I’m approaching the limits again.

The answer, obviously, is more shelving. My partner disagrees.