A Guide to Storing Jigsaw Puzzle Collections

If you love puzzles as much as we do, there’s a good chance you have accumulated a puzzle collection. Completed puzzles are works of art in and of themselves. They can easily be glued and framed to be hung on display for all to see. 

Perhaps you don’t have ample wall space, though, or want to ensure that your in-progress puzzle remains untouched by curious pets and children. We’ve gathered a few puzzle tips for organizing and puzzle storage ideas for your jigsaws to ensure they remain in excellent condition.  

How to Store Jigsaw Puzzles in Progress

When you’re in the midst of putting together a jigsaw puzzle, there are a few options you can utilize to keep the pieces together and (hopefully) from losing any of them. 

• Sorting trays

If you have limited space to work with, sorting trays for puzzles storage can easily become your best friend. Not only do sorting trays help while working on especially challenging puzzles, but they also make the process of packing up your puzzle much smoother. Instead of having to dump all the pieces you sorted back into the box, you can transport them in their respective trays, making it easier to pick back up where you started later. 

• Puzzle board

A puzzle board or designated puzzling table is ideal if you have the budget for it. There are a few puzzle boards on the market that have built-in sort trays, giving you both the space to work on your puzzle, and puzzle organizers for sorted pieces. Puzzle mats are also a good alternative, allowing you to roll up and store your in-progress puzzle, and even take it with you on the go. 

How to Store Puzzles in Small Spaces

If you can’t store your puzzles in the original boxes due to space, ditch them. If your puzzle doesn’t come with a reference poster, cutting off the image on the box and saving that with the puzzle pieces will allow you to easily identify which puzzle is which. 

A quick and easy option is plastic zipper bags, which can then be stored in a basket or designated puzzle storage box to keep you organized and your space clutter-free.

If you have a little more room to work with, you can store your puzzles in clear flat containers that can be stacked. Other great puzzle organizers include shoe boxes (or boxes with lids), drawers, photo boxes, and clear jars.  

How to Display Puzzles on a Shelf

If you have the space for it, you can keep the puzzle in the original box and display them on a shelf. We suggest organizing them by the number of pieces, box size, and shape. 

How to Glue & Frame a Puzzle for Display

If you want to display your completed puzzle though, framing puzzles and hanging them as wall art allows you to repurpose your puzzle and simultaneously show off your hard work. All that’s required is for you to glue puzzles together and stick them in a poster frame (or a custom-made frame if you want to get fancy). If you want to go the extra mile, you can turn it into a clock.

Blue Kazoo jigsaw puzzle boxes are designed to be shown off. They fit perfectly on a bookshelf and look great both in and out of the box. 

There you have it — a work of art. 

How to Save a Jigsaw Puzzle

Is your puzzle missing a few pieces? If you want to save a puzzle from the recycling bin, you can repurpose your jigsaw in various ways. Turn your puzzles into jewelry, create fun fridge magnets, or make a puzzle picture frame. 

In the holiday spirit? Check out these creative ways to turn your puzzles into holiday decor.  

In Summary

The most effective way to store puzzles is to use a puzzle organizer or storage system to keep the pieces organized and prevent them from getting lost. If you're space conscious, look for a storage system with compartments or trays that can be easily stacked or stored in a closet or on a shelf. You can also use puzzle mats or boards that allow you to roll up the puzzle and store it in a compact space—and make them easy to travel with! Whichever way you store your puzzles, make sure they are in a cool, dry place to prevent damage from moisture or heat.