Good Questions: How to Store My LPs?

Dear AT,

I have like 100 LPs just sitting in an off kilter pile on my floor...I need an affordable attractive and interesting solution to store them...I was thinking a bench...I definitely don't want to do 'cubes'...any suggestions?

Thanks,
Marieke

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
chicago(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)

Dear Marieke,

We have the same problem (that's our photo, above). We actually have more LPs in a great vintage stand (shown here), but then the overflow started to happen...

There aren't a ton of modern alternatives out there since we are in the wireless age, but for those of us that won't give up our records, this is an issue. The first question is are you looking to keep the LPs visible or would you prefer them to be concealed? If you go with the bench idea, we're afraid that will only result in the same piles you have now (they will just be spilling over on and under the bench instead!

How about something like this fun Bento chest from Big Pagoda (SF).

We also spotted this great loooking LP storage unit from Adapt Design (Oakland). Both pieces via MoCo San Francisco.

Any other ideas for Marieke?

Comments (11)

I have a ton of records. I used the IKEA Bonde sideboard. It has frosted glass doors and glass shelves. Perfect for my cassettes and cds, beneath them are the records. It the end section, I drilled a rat hole in the back for the cables and put my old record player/radio/cassette player and on top of it my cd player. I put my speakers on pipe and flange stands I made off to the side of the unit. I wanted everything in one place and hidden. I got my sideboard years ago in the as-is section and it was in perfect condition, in the box still! I am contemplating painting the whole thing - but I have to figure out how - I have the faux wenge (sp?) wood version. Of course, I still have to decide exactly what I want to paint the rest of the room and furniture too. The point is - a side board works great.

posted by lgrl on March 23rd 2007 at 10:24am
view lgrl's profile

We bought record shelving here-

http://57thstreetbookcases.com/

Highly recommended.

posted by msc on March 23rd 2007 at 10:39am
view msc's profile

Ikea's Expedit Bookcases are large enough to fit LPs but they are only as strong as the dowels that hold them together and records can get pretty heavy.
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15561

posted by knars on March 23rd 2007 at 10:39am
view knars's profile

There is a company here in Chicago that sells racks called MusicDirect. http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=AMD-150CHERRY http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ABOLTZANLP36122 http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?sku=ABB3650

the Boltz racks are pretty nice

posted by knars on March 23rd 2007 at 10:43am
view knars's profile

I agree with msc--57th Street Bookcases is great. You can have them build you a bookcase to any dimensions and with any spacing between the shelves, so depending on how many LPs you have, you could have just the bottom space of the bookshelf sized to store LPs and the rest of the shelves spaced to store books, DVDs, CDs...

They can also put doors on part or all of the shelves if you want concealed storage.

posted by Anne in Chicago on March 23rd 2007 at 10:54am
view Anne in Chicago's profile

WHAT are "LP's"?

posted by hdtex on March 24th 2007 at 11:18am
view hdtex's profile

My fiance has a huge collection of vinyl and stores most of it in the Ikea Expedit bookcase. The albums fit nearly perfectly depth and height-wise. I'm eyeballing it and guessing that it holds about 1,000 albums. The only real trouble he's had with it could be applied to any piece from Ikea in that it doesn't hold up well when moved.

hdtex, I'm just trying to overlook that comment. :) I may cry it made me feel so old. ::sigh::

posted by pxlchk1 on March 25th 2007 at 7:08am
view pxlchk1's profile

No need to feel old, pxlchk1. 30 is the new 20 and 40 is the new 30 and so on :)

LP = Long Playing vinyl albums.

posted by kenn on March 26th 2007 at 9:47am
view kenn's profile

I think it would be really cool to build a shelf for them in the stacks of wooden cubes style that is so popular right now. Only to not show the sides of the albums, each cube could have a top-hinged album frame with your favorite album artwork in it. Frames are available at:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=478&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=478&cm_mmc=Google-_-Home-_-Album_Frame%202-_-record%20frame

OR

http://hobbyframes.com/Records.htm

Etc.

posted by Season on March 27th 2007 at 9:38am
view Season's profile

Also, if the new USB turntables are any indication, vinyl has never gone out of style. Now if you were looking for a way to store 1000 cassette tapes..you'd be lame. =)

posted by Season on March 27th 2007 at 9:39am
view Season's profile

This is my favorite option from Crate & Barrel
- $199
- Can be Vertical or Horizontal
- Fits LPs and CDs!

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=994&f=24228&fromLocation=trends&l=294

posted by Tangerine25 on January 4th 2008 at 11:00am
view Tangerine25's profile