Sorting and storing LEGO: by colour or by part, boxes and keeping sets complete

TUREFF• •0

Every LEGO collection reaches the point where finding a particular piece takes longer than building with it. Sorting is the answer, but there is no single right way, and the best system depends on how you build and how much you have. LEGO is a trademark of the LEGO Group; this guide is about the bricks you already own.

First decide: keep sets or keep parts?

Before sorting anything, decide what your collection is for.

Keep sets complete if you like rebuilding official models, may want to sell them later, or have children who rebuild the same favourites.
Mix everything into a parts collection if you mainly build your own designs.

Many people do both: favourite sets kept intact, everything else becomes a pool of parts. Make the decision first, because unsorting is far worse than sorting.

Keeping sets complete

Store each set in its own bag or box with the instructions. Zip-lock bags labelled with the set number work well for small sets, and plastic boxes for large ones.
Keep instructions flat in a folder or magazine file. Many instructions are also available digitally from LEGO's website, so a lost booklet is not the end of the world.
Use an online database to record which sets you own. Some will produce a full parts list for each set so you can check a second-hand purchase for missing pieces.
Count before you store. If you are breaking down a set, check against the parts inventory at the back of the instructions where one is printed.

Sorting a parts collection: colour or part?

This is the great debate among fans.

Sorting by colour is quick to do and looks pleasing, and it suits small collections and children. The problem comes when you want one particular small part and have to search a whole tub of red.
Sorting by part type takes longer but makes finding a specific piece much faster. Most experienced builders end up here, because you usually know which shape you need before you choose the colour.
A hybrid works well: sort by part category first, then split very large categories, such as basic bricks or plates, by colour.

A sorting order that works

Do not try to sort a large collection perfectly in one go.

Rough sort first into broad groups: bricks, plates, tiles, slopes, Technic, minifigure parts, wheels, specialist pieces.
Sort each group again into finer categories when you have time, such as plates by size.
Leave odd pieces in a miscellaneous box until you have enough of a kind to give them their own drawer.
Review after a few months. Merge drawers you never open and split those you dig through constantly.

Storage that suits the job

Drawer cabinets with small clear drawers are popular for small parts and make everything visible.
Stackable plastic boxes with dividers suit medium parts and are easy to carry to a table.
Larger tubs suit big, chunky pieces such as baseplates, large wheels and Technic panels.
Labels with a picture of the part speed up tidying for everyone, especially children.

Avoid storing bricks where they are exposed to strong sunlight or heat, such as a south-facing windowsill or a hot loft, which can fade or discolour them. Closed, opaque containers or a cupboard keep dust and light off.

Getting help from children

If children share the collection, keep their system simple. A few big tubs by colour or type, and a rule that everything goes back before the next build, often works better than a fine-grained system nobody follows.

Dealing with minifigures

Minifigures are easy to lose and often the most valued parts. Keep complete figures together, or store heads, torsos, legs and accessories separately if you mix and match. Small tackle boxes or bead organisers with many compartments suit them well. How do you sort your collection, and what system have you abandoned? Share your experience or questions in the comments.