Don't Believe The Hype About This IKEA Vinyl Record Storage Hack

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

The internet can be a great place to learn about any new hobby, such as collecting vinyl records, but not every tip is a gem. Some may even be downright damaging. One popular online "hack" concerns using an IKEA OSTBIT Plate Holder to hold records upright and queue up titles for quick listening. Don't believe the hype, or you could ruin a record or two. Sure, this IKEA staple can hold your vinyl, but it can also quickly damage it. When you place your records within the plate holder's spokes, the design puts uneven pressure and stress on the LPs, potentially warping them. Luckily, there are better ways to store your records and protect your investments without damaging them.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), vinyl continues to dominate physical music sales, with this market segment growing to $1.4 billion in 2024. Vinyl collectors know that once you collect one LP, it's like having a potato chip, in that you have to have another! As more new vinyl collectors come on the scene, it's more important than ever to store your records properly. It's understandable when new collectors want to find affordable ways to enjoy their hobby, but the internet can be full of well-intended yet poor advice. Tips such as storing your vinyl in a stack or on a plate rack may look stylish on TikTok or Instagram, but they're also shortcuts to damage. You should always store your records upright, otherwise they might warp, and here are some better ways you can do just that.

Storing your records correctly means keeping them in a vertical position, with LPs of the same size kept together to reduce uneven pressure. One commenter on the r/vinyl subreddit shared how using the IKEA OSTBIT to collect their records resulted in dents on the sleeves, while another commented they "destroyed two records" with this type of setup. It may look cool and minimal, but it's not worth the risk to your records. Don't despair, though — with the popularity of records growing yearly, there are multiple clever vinyl record storage solutions beyond this hack. 

The most important factor of keeping your records in good condition when stored? Keep them upright, never horizontal. Vinyl records should ideally stay in a cabinet or crate with plenty of sturdy support. Never let them slouch or lean against each other, nor allow them to bear an entire row's weight. A shelf of 50 12-inch LP places 15 to 20 pounds of pressure on the last records in a row, if leaning. You should avoid letting a stack of records be at an angle as well, or they may start to bend. To keep your covers pristine and reduce dust from contacting the vinyl, consider using a protective outer sleeve, such as Gold Seal Vinyl Record Outer Sleeves. Then, next time you want to hear "Espresso" on loop, you won't be greeted with a dirty LP. Lastly, don't cram all of the records into your container, as you should leave enough space to be able to actually browse through them. 

This IKEA hack isn't a winner for storing your vinyl, but there's another option from the popular retailer. For full-time storage, you can invest in the storage hero of the vinyl collector community, the IKEA KALLAX, a perfect solution for your record player storage problems. The various KALLAX sizes available offer the ideal depth for the width and height of a record collection, with a capacity of 50 to 60 LPs per cube. Another similar option is the IKEA EKET, which, unlike the KALLAX, features backing for more support. 

New collectors mention this ill-advised hack because they want a way to display the titles in their current rotation, but there are better alternatives. If you'd like a safer, non-damaging way to show your "Now Playing," you could create a vinyl album accent wall with an IKEA MOSSLANDA picture ledge. Be careful you only display one album on there at a time, and don't create rows. Another possibility can be to buy a small stand for a single record, like the Sonny & Sloane Now Playing Vinyl Record Stand.