How to Finally Organize Legos for Good

Legos are a beloved toy for children and adults alike. But as Lego collections grow, keeping all those tiny bricks organized can become a challenge. A Lego mess can lead to frustration when you can’t find the piece you need. Fortunately, there are ways to finally get your Legos organized – and keep them that way! Here are helpful tips and strategies for organizing Legos so you can fully enjoy their creative potential.

Evaluate Your Current Lego Storage Situation

The first step in organizing your Legos is taking stock of what you currently have and how it’s stored.

How many Legos do you have? Take an inventory and sort by type – bricks, plates, specialty pieces, minifigures, etc.
Where are they being stored now? In bins, drawers, on shelves, or loose in a pile? Assess the pros and cons of your current storage situation.
Are your Legos organized in any way already, or are they just thrown together? Make note of any existing organization.
What’s working and not working about your current Lego storage? Identify frustrations and pain points.

Carefully considering your Lego collection and its current home will help determine the best organizational approach. The goal is to make pieces easy to find, access, and put away.

Organize Lego Pieces by Type and Color

The most effective way to get Legos orderly is by sorting them into separate containers or compartments by type and color. Here’s how:

Sort by Lego Type

Bricks: Stackable building pieces in various sizes. Sort by size.
Plates: Flat pieces in various sizes and shapes. Sort by size.
Tiles: Thin, decorative flat pieces.
Specialized pieces: Wheels, minifigure accessories, plants, etc. Sort into subcategories.
Minifigures: Lego characters. Separate accessories into type categories.

Then Sort Each Type by Color

Once sorted by type, separate each type into bins or compartments by color.
Keep similar colors together – light greens with mediums, darks with blacks.
For larger collections, sort by brick/plate size within each color.

This organized system makes it so easy to find the exact Lego piece you need for building!

Invest In Lego Storage Containers

To keep your sorted Legos tidy, you need the right storage containers. Here are great options:

Plastic Organizers with Removable Dividers

Allow customization of compartment sizes to fit Lego types.
Can stack/connect together to expand.
See-through for easy piece identification.
Dividers help prevent sorting messes.

Small Plastic Bins For Tiny Pieces

Great for specialty pieces, minifigure accessories.
Portable for easy access during building.
Avoid tiny pieces getting jumbled into bigger Lego bins.

Drawer Organizers

Perfect for storing by color and piece size.
Can label drawers for organization.
Stackable for expanding storage.
Allows compartmentalization in one container.

Lego Brick Storage Boxes

Made specifically for Lego, snaps together like bricks.
Varying sizes fit different collections.
Portable and great for kids’ rooms.

Invest in storage that will grow with your collection!

Find Proper Lego Display and Play Spaces

To keep organized Legos stay organized, it’s key to have designated spaces for Lego play and display.

Play Areas

Clear off flat surfaces like tables or rug areas for building.
Contain the mess by limiting play to these spots.
Store bins accessible nearby for easy piece finding.

Display Shelves

Sturdy shelves properly display Lego creations.
Set boundaries for play vs. display.
Prevent accidentally knocking over models.
Enjoy models at eye level.

Lego Tables

Tables with flat bases and short edges are ideal for building.
Built-in storage keeps pieces handy but contained.
Smooth surface allows creations to be slid off easily after.

By setting up defined Lego zones, you can help maintain organization in high-traffic areas.

Implement Lego Clean-Up Routines

Regularly going through clean-up routines is key for keeping Lego chaos at bay. Make cleaning up part of playtime with consistent habits.

Quick Clean-Ups

Put away all Lego pieces into proper storage bins.
Wipe down surfaces and place builds in display areas.
Do a quick sort of any stray pieces.

Thorough Deep Cleaning

Take everything completely apart.
Dust and wipe all storage and play areas.
Completely re-sort any mixed up pieces.
Maintain original organization system.

Make It Fun!

Play clean-up songs to make tidying feel lighter.
Challenge kids to beat clean-up timers.
Display progress filling bins during deep cleans.
Reward children after cleaning milestones.

Turning clean-up into a fun ritual is the secret for maintaining lego organization sanity!

Store Extra Legos Properly

As collections grow, you’ll likely need to store excess Legos that won’t fit your main organizational system. Here are smart tips for storing Legos long-term:

Pack bricks tightly in airtight plastic bins or bags to prevent dust and moisture damage.
Avoid exposing Legos to sunlight, which can fade colors. Store in cabinets or shelving away from light sources.
Consider wrapping larger completed Lego sets in plastic wrap to keep pieces contained if taking apart.
Take apart sets being put into long-term storage to avoid straining bricks.
Place silica gel packs in bins to absorb excess moisture.
Label storage containers so you remember what’s inside!

With the right storage methods, you can safely keep Legos organized for years to come.

Keep Minifigures Displayed Creatively

Minifigures are often the most prized part of Lego sets. So don’t leave them jumbled in a bin – get creative with display so they can be enjoyed!

Display on a bookcase or shelves in vignettes that show off their personality.
Show minifigures “interacting” by placing them together in fun poses.
Create minifigure “portraits” by mounting their heads in a shadow box or frame.
Install floating Lego head shelves to neatly display entire mini collections.

Let your minifigures shine by making them part of the décor!

Maintain Organization During Play Sessions

Keeping things organized while actively using your Legos can be challenging. Implement these habits to maintain order when building.

Choose a bin or two to pull pieces from instead of dumping out all Legos.
Start builds on trays that catch spilled pieces.
Set a timer to prompt tidying stray bricks that collect as you build.
Designate a “play session bin” to quickly sweep pieces into.
Keep extra piece bins consolidated to immediate building area.

Staying disciplined during playtime is key to not undoing your organizational work!

Enlist Kids’ Help Keeping Things Organized

Children are much more likely to maintain organization when they’re involved in the process. Here are tips for getting kids onboard:

Make them part of sorting and clean-up routines from an early age.
Use timers to turn clean-up into a game. Can they beat the clock?
Allow them to decorate storage bins with their name, stickers, etc. so they “own” them.
Play music or podcasts during cleaning to make it more fun.
Offer rewards like screen time or toys for successful clean-ups.

Giving children organization ownership fosters responsibility and makes tidying routine.

Label Bins and Shelves Clearly

An often-overlooked organizing step is properly labeling Lego storage. Labels help keep everything where it belongs.

Use bold text and visuals so children can “read” the labels.
Color-code labels by bin type. Blue for bricks, green for plates, etc.
Include images of the Lego type stored in that bin.
Note the compartment size if sorted that way. “2×4 bricks” etc.
Use descriptions like “Harry Potter Legos” for themed sets.

Well-labeled storage makes it intuitive for kids and adults to stay organized!

Avoid Over-Organizing

While organization is key, it’s possible to go overboard. Keep things simple and flexible:

Only separate types that make sense based on your collection and use.
Don’t feel locked into a system – can adjust over time as needs change.
Don’t stress about small loose pieces – focus on the bulk.
Allow kids some bins for freestyle building and experimenting.
Re-organize only when needed vs. on a strict schedule.

Stay reasonable with expectations. Legos are for fun, after all!

Use Technology to Track Your Collection

For serious adult collectors, leveraging technology can help inventory and track your Lego stash:

Use an app like Brickit to catalog and manage your collection.
Create a spreadsheet with tabs for owned sets, minifigures, and loose elements.
Take photos of instructions and builds to have a visual reference.
Track your organizational process with photos as well.
Store instructions digitally via scanning or finding PDFs online.

Technology enables valuable organization insights on your investment in Legos.

Make Gradual Progress Over Time

Don’t expect your Lego organization dreams to materialize overnight. Work through your collection gradually:

Set reasonable goals like one bin per week. Avoid burnout!
Begin with most-used areas like communal Lego bins.
Use existing downtime to sort and organize a handful of pieces.
Take breaks from intensive cleaning efforts to avoid frustration.
Remind yourself done is better than perfect. Something tidy is better than the mess!
Celebrate and appreciate progress as you go for motivation.

Consistency over time is key – you’ll get there!

Embrace Imperfect Organization

At the end of the day, Legos are made for spontaneous fun and creativity. Organization helps, but don’t stress over perfection.

Expect that you’ll need to re-sort and tidy occasionally – it’s part of the process.
Loose pieces and stray accessories will happen – it’s okay!
Let go of keeping every single piece meticulously sorted at all times.
Fun, engaged playtime is ultimately what matters most.
Remember, even a semi-organized Lego area issuccess over total chaos!

The goal isn’t pristine museum-level organization – it’s having Legos be manageable and usable for you and your kids.

So don’t beat yourself up over disorganization. Implement these tips at your own pace to create a Lego space that works for your lifestyle. Consistency and small progress add up over time for saner, smoother Lego enjoyment for all!

Frequently Asked Questions About Organizing Legos

Organizing Legos can seem daunting. Here are answers to common questions about tackling the process effectively:

How should I get started organizing a large tub of random Legos?

Start by dumping everything out and sorting by basic type – bricks, plates, specialized pieces, minifigures and accessories, etc. Then within each type, sort by color. Invest in some organizational bins to divide things up. Go step-by-step – don’t try to tackle everything at once.

What’s the best way to store minifigures?

Display them! Minifigures get easily lost in bins. Consider using floating shelves, frames, or acrylic display cases. Store detached accessories like helmets and tools in small compartments or tiny plastic bags.

My kids have tons of little Lego pieces – how can I organize them?

Small plastic organizational bins are great for tiny Lego pieces. Compartmentalize minifigure accessories like tools, weapons, and teeny bricks in their own dedicated bins to avoid losing them in larger containers.

How can I neatly store Lego instruction manuals?

Scan or locate digital PDF copies of instructions so you always have a way to reference builds if taking sets apart. Store physical instructions in magazine files or binders for easy access.

I have some unopened Lego sets – what’s the best way to store these?

Leave sealed sets intact, stacking boxes neatly on a shelf away from sunlight to prevent fading. Storing in a cool, dry place will help safeguard quality.

What are signs it’s time to fully re-organize my Lego collection?

Re-organize when you find yourself frequently unable to find pieces, projects feel frustrating due to lack of organization, or things are hazardous due loose pieces. Go through and tidy everything up to restore order.

How can I avoid feeling overwhelmed when organizing Legos?

Break organizational projects into smaller, reasonable chunks appropriate to the time you have. Just focus on one section, bin, or color at a time. Celebrate incremental progress. And remind yourself some organization is better than none!

Final Thoughts on Organizing Your Legos

If your Lego collection has become a source of frustration, implementing some organization and storage strategies can help restore order and enjoyment. By taking the time to thoughtfully sort pieces by type and color into smart storage containers, you’ll gain the ability to easily find the bricks you need for building.

Establish clear areas for Lego play and display. Make tidying up a consistent habit. Get kids involved in maintaining organization. And remember – perfection is not mandatory. Consistency and progress are what matter.

With some practical organization tips, you can eliminate chaos and rediscover the creativity and fun of Legos!