Category: LEGO MOCs

Let’s face it: perhaps the most daunting task of being a LEGO fan is when it all comes down to that point where you’re simply lost on how to give order among that chaos of bricks and pieces. There is nothing more troublesome than a disorganized collection that can easily dampen your motivation in pushing through with your next big MOC. So how do we go around in this business of LEGO storage and organization, and making sense of this sea of bricks?

Reality check: the internet is riddled with much good-intentioned advice on how to organize your rainbow-colored abyss of plastic bricks. But truth be told, there is no single, most effective way of LEGO storage and organization. The possibilities are endless and when you think you struck gold in discovering what works for you, humbly bear in mind that it may not be the best for that next-door neighbor who is now pulling his hair for stepping into that 2×4 brick for the nth time.

However, not having a gold standard for putting things in order doesn’t mean that we don’t have to start somewhere. Jennifer at TheBrothersBrick understands this very well. She gives five practical tips that will make life easier for you and for those around you who share the house with a LEGO fanatic. Check out these useful tips. Some of these may also feature affiliate links, so clicking and making a purchase through these links can help us a lot.

Tip #1: Use containers.

Using containers is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your LEGO bricks organized. You can use transparent bins or drawers to easily see and access your bricks. Dividing your bricks into different containers based on their size, color, or type can help you quickly find what you need. For instance, you could use one bin for flat bricks, another for slopes, and a third for minifigures. These storage cabinets from Akro-Mils may just be the storage solution that you need.

Tip #2: Label these containers.

Labeling your containers will make it easier to identify what’s inside each one. You can use labels or stickers to indicate the contents of each bin or drawer. Labeling your containers will save you time when you need to find a specific brick, and it will also help you keep your collection organized over the long term. If you need an ideal labeling solution to go with your LEGO bins, then you may want to take a look at Avery’s removable labels.

Tip #3: Don’t procrastinate.

Procrastination is the enemy of organization. When you’re finished building, make sure to put your bricks away in their designated containers right away. Don’t let them pile up on your work surface or in a corner of the room. By taking care of your bricks immediately, you’ll prevent clutter from accumulating and make it easier to find what you need the next time you want to build.

Tip #4: Create some ‘white noise’ while sorting.

Sorting your LEGO bricks can be a tedious task, but it doesn’t have to be boring. You can make the process more enjoyable by listening to music or a podcast while you work. By creating some background noise, you’ll stay focused on the task at hand and make the time fly by.

Tip #5: Fine-tune your LEGO storage and organization system.

Your LEGO storage and organization system should be customized to meet your unique needs. If you find that one system isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to switch things up. Experiment with different containers, labels, and sorting methods until you find a system that works well for you. You may also find Tom Alphin’s comprehensive LEGO Storage Guide very helpful at this point.

Inspiration to Get You Started

If these tips are not enough to roll up your sleeves and start that brick-picking work, sometimes the best way to push yourself is to be inspired by those who made it. Take a look at these 7 glorious examples of LEGO workspaces that will hopefully challenge you to do the same, without turning green out of envy. And if you like what you see here, please do our brick heroes a favor by following their Flickr page as well.

Now, if I can just find the vacuum cleaner…

Jeff VW (LEGO Panorama)

Gary McIntire (My Workbench)

Joel Finch (The Wall)  

Mark Kelso (Storage and Sorting)

Chris Maddison (Sorted!)

Fred Beck (LEGO Room Build) 

Matt De Lanoy (LEGO Room 2015)

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared last March 14, 2016, and has since then, been updated. Banner image courtesy of Chris Giddens.