How to Organise Your Jigsaw Puzzle Collection!!
Share
How to Organize Your Jigsaw Puzzle Collection
Organizing a jigsaw puzzle collection may seem like a minor task, but for avid puzzlers, it can make a world of difference in both convenience and enjoyment. A well-organized puzzle collection allows for easy access, prevents lost pieces, and can help keep your collection in top condition for years of fun. Whether you’re a casual puzzler or someone who regularly completes challenging 1000-piece puzzles, an efficient storage system can elevate the experience. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to organize your jigsaw puzzle collection, ensuring it stays neat, accessible, and enjoyable.
Buy your jigsaw puzzles online in Dublin Ireland at Jigsaw Puzzle Haven
1. Assess the Size of Your Collection
Before diving into organizing, take stock of your puzzle collection. Are you a beginner with just a few puzzles, or do you have a vast collection that spans years of puzzling? The size and scope of your collection will influence how you organize it. For a smaller collection, simple methods such as sorting by size or theme may suffice. However, for larger collections, you might need a more systematic approach with designated storage solutions.
2. Sort Puzzles by Categories
Sorting is a fundamental step in organizing any collection. By categorizing your jigsaw puzzles, you’ll be able to quickly find what you're looking for and keep similar puzzles together. Here are some ways to categorize your collection:
a. By Theme
Grouping puzzles by theme helps you identify which puzzles suit your current mood or interests. Some common themes include:
- Landscapes
- Animals (e.g., wildlife, pets)
- Art and famous paintings
- Cities and landmarks
- Fantasy and nature
- Vintage or retro designs
If you're drawn to a specific genre (e.g., nature puzzles), this method makes it easy to spot your favorites.
b. By Piece Count
Another effective way to organize your collection is by sorting puzzles according to the number of pieces. This method helps in identifying puzzles based on difficulty level, whether you’re in the mood for a 500-piece puzzle or a challenging 2000-piece puzzle. Some possible groupings include:
- 500 pieces
- 1000 pieces
- 1500+ pieces
- Mini puzzles
This method is particularly useful when you’re looking for a puzzle of a particular difficulty or size.
c. By Difficulty
Sorting by difficulty level adds another layer of organization. You can categorize your puzzles as “easy,” “moderate,” and “difficult.” This method works well if you want to challenge yourself or opt for something less complicated based on your time and patience.
d. By Puzzle Brand or Manufacturer
If you prefer certain brands, this category can help you group similar puzzle types together. Many puzzle enthusiasts also enjoy sticking with a particular manufacturer because of the puzzle’s piece quality or image clarity.
Buy your jigsaw puzzles online in Dublin Ireland at Jigsaw Puzzle Haven
3. Storing Your Puzzles
Once you’ve sorted your puzzles, the next step is to store them properly. The right storage solution helps protect the puzzle pieces and keeps everything organized. Here are some storage ideas to consider:
a. Clear Plastic Bins
One of the most popular storage options for jigsaw puzzles is clear plastic bins or boxes. These bins allow you to store puzzles while keeping the contents visible, making it easier to find the puzzle you're looking for. Label each box with the name of the puzzle or its theme for easy identification. Clear bins are also stackable, making them great for optimizing vertical space.
b. Storage Drawers or Shelving
For those with a large puzzle collection, consider using shelving units or storage drawers. Shelving can be a great option to keep puzzles upright, like books on a bookshelf. For puzzles that are difficult to store in their original boxes, you can use file or drawer cabinets to hold individual puzzles in clear plastic bags or containers.
c. Puzzle Storage Binders
Another solution for a more compact collection is puzzle storage binders. These binders typically feature clear plastic sleeves where you can store your puzzle pieces in an organized way. This is a great solution if you have many smaller puzzles or if you're storing pieces from completed puzzles that are broken down and stored in bags.
d. Custom Puzzle Racks
If you prefer to display or easily access your puzzles, you can invest in custom puzzle racks. These racks hold puzzles in an upright position for easy viewing and sorting. They're especially helpful if you like to have your collection visible for display or easy access.
e. Puzzle Roll-up Mats
For puzzles you’re currently working on, consider using a puzzle mat. These mats allow you to roll up a partially completed puzzle, protecting it from dust or accidental knocks. They’re also an excellent space-saver, allowing you to unroll the mat and continue your puzzle later.
4. Keeping Pieces in Place
Lost puzzle pieces are every puzzler’s worst nightmare. To avoid losing pieces, here are some tips for keeping your puzzles intact:
a. Use Ziplock Bags for Extra Pieces
For puzzles that have missing or extra pieces, store these extra pieces in a ziplock bag or small container. Label each bag with the puzzle’s name or number of pieces to avoid confusion when looking for a specific piece later on.
b. Puzzle Sorting Trays
Sorting trays help to organize your puzzle pieces during assembly. These trays separate edge pieces, corner pieces, and color blocks, so you can easily access the parts you need. This is especially helpful for complex or larger puzzles where managing a huge pile of pieces could become overwhelming.
5. Preserving Completed Puzzles
After completing a jigsaw puzzle, you may want to preserve your masterpiece. There are several ways to display or preserve completed puzzles:
a. Puzzle Glue
You can use puzzle glue to keep a completed puzzle intact. Once you’ve finished assembling the puzzle, apply a layer of puzzle glue to the surface of the puzzle, allowing it to dry. Once dried, the puzzle becomes a firm, solid piece that can be framed or displayed.
b. Puzzle Frames
Puzzle frames are designed specifically for displaying completed puzzles. These frames come in various sizes, with some allowing you to adjust for different puzzle dimensions. Puzzle frames not only preserve the puzzle, but they also give you an opportunity to showcase your artwork or accomplishment.
c. Puzzle Preservation Boards
Some puzzle enthusiasts use preservation boards, which are large, sturdy boards that can hold completed puzzles for framing or storage. These boards help protect the puzzle from any potential damage, such as bending or warping.
6. Labeling and Documenting Your Collection
Labeling everything is crucial for easy access to your puzzles. Use sticky labels or a label maker to mark the outside of storage bins, boxes, and bags with the puzzle's name or theme. This simple step saves you time by avoiding the need to search through everything.
Additionally, consider creating a puzzle inventory or journal. This can be a physical or digital record of each puzzle, where you can document:
- Puzzle name
- Piece count
- Theme
- Completion date
- Puzzle condition (new, used, etc.)
This will help you track puzzles you’ve completed and prevent you from buying duplicates.
7. Rotation and Maintenance
Finally, to keep your collection fresh, consider rotating the puzzles you have accessible. Storing puzzles that you’re not currently interested in and keeping a selection out for use can help avoid clutter. This approach also gives you a chance to rediscover puzzles you haven’t worked on in a while.
Buy your jigsaw puzzles online in Dublin Ireland at Jigsaw Puzzle Haven
Conclusion
Organizing your jigsaw puzzle collection takes time and effort, but it’s well worth it for a more enjoyable and efficient puzzling experience. By sorting your puzzles by theme, piece count, difficulty, or brand, you’ll not only make it easier to find puzzles but also keep your collection in great shape. Use appropriate storage options, such as clear bins or shelves, and take steps to prevent lost pieces. And don’t forget to label and document your collection—keeping a puzzle journal is a great way to track your progress and avoid duplicates.
A well-organized jigsaw puzzle collection will allow you to enjoy this timeless hobby even more. Happy puzzling!
Buy your jigsaw puzzles online in Dublin Ireland at Jigsaw Puzzle Haven