It is so wonderful to be featured in the Apartment Guide blog! Here is a blog post by Jeremy Steckler - he compiled some great tips from designers all over the US and Canada. If you are a vinyl records fan, read on! Here are some great tips on how to enjoy your music while making the most of your music collection and space.

Here’s his blog…..

Collecting records can be an incredibly rewarding hobby, but it can also be overwhelming if you’re just starting out. There’s so much to learn about preserving your collection, picking the right equipment, and learning how to organize as your collection grows. It’s a lot.

Whether you’re renting an apartment in Scottsdale, buying a home in Albuquerque, or renting a home in Kansas City, you deserve to have a beautiful sonic experience in your home. ApartmentGuide reached out to avid vinyl collectors, musicians, and audiophiles to compile the top nine tips to create the perfect space for your music collection, from finding the right turntable to innovative ways to display your favorite records. Read on to learn more.

1. Find the turntable that is right for you

The turntable is the centerpiece of your listening set-up, it makes sense that a lot of time and money can be sunk into getting the right one. "One of coolest things you can do for your living space is to find one of those old record consoles from the ‘60s or ‘70s, it gives you a great looking piece of furniture that also plays your records. Usually you can find these at estate sales very cheap. If you are adventurous you can update the console with new equipment!” advises Rich Russo, a musicologist, free-form DJ, and self-proclaimed excessive record collector. For a more modern piece of equipment, Audio-Technica makes affordable turntables that are easy to maintain.

This Mid Century modern style vinyl record display stand from Modway - it has great metal dividers to your collection organized. Click here to purchase

Now, if you’re an experienced collector and have some money to spend, you could start looking for more high-end models to make a statement in your listening space. “In terms of visual display, gorgeous turntables such as well-modded Garrards and Thorens 124 with lovely wooden plinths are a bargain, and if you are a multimillionaire, you can always opt for the mammoth Italian supermodel the Vyger, or the TechDAS turntables that range up to $450,000,” says Kedar Desai of Zero Distortion.

“Displaying these turntables is eye candy for any visitor and a statement from the owner. Only the highly trained eye is going to notice the actual labels and stampers on your LPs, most will look at the size of your collection and the looks of the turntable. Spend wisely and know your goals.”

Ultimately, the choice of what style or brand to go with is up to you and what satisfies your needs.

2. Turn your listening space into an experience

Listening to a record is a full experience. From slipping it out of the sleeve to setting the needle in place, the entire process is a ritual. When setting up your music room, make sure this appreciation is reflected in your space. “As a landscape art photographer, I cherish aesthetics,” says Kai Hornung, a landscape and nature photographer.

“My vinyl collection at home is not just about the music I love; it turns my living room from mere space into a personal gallery of sound, time, and emotion. My records are stored in the back of the room on library-like shelves, away from potentially damaging direct sunlight. I am a sucker for great album art, so the sleeve of the album which is on the player goes on a separate display shelf, allowing the album art to decorate the room."

The best chair for listening to your vinyl records, must undoubtedly be a chaise! We love this one from Four Hands - it is called the Dylan Chaise. Click here to purchase

You can also adorn your room with different styles of shelves to really elevate the experience. We’ll get more into that later.

3. Figure out how you want to arrange your records

Depending on who you ask, collectors have different opinions on how to categorize and arrange records. “The verdict is out on the best way to categorize your collection. Some say they should be sorted according to genre, then alphabetized, but others believe sorting by color is the way to go,” says Ruth Kaiser De Backer of Choose Chattanooga. James House of House of Records is one of those folks that believes color adds a unique element to a collection. “For an eye-catching display, consider arranging records by color or theme to create a visually appealing focal point in your apartment,” he says.

For Kedar Desai of Zero Distortion, organization can depend on the size and type of your collection. “Vinyl records can be stored first by genre, and for classical music, by performers, then by composers, and by famous pieces, each category ordered alphabetically,” says Kedar. “Have plenty of separate dividers to make storage easy. For small rooms, use small cabinets but you can get innovative with designs. Use Ikea or DIY if on a budget. With larger rooms and for the serious quantity collector, best are the conservative wall racks with meticulous categorisation as mentioned above.”

If you’re a collector with a massive collection, but not a lot of room, you might need to make some cuts in terms of which records you keep out in the open or on display. "When displaying vinyl records, you should think about both the ones you are decoratively displaying and the remains which will be more bulk storage,” says Shannan Lin Kerr of SMDA Inc. “Most people will not have space to be able to visually display the face of all the albums but that is the cool pretty part. So designate an area (or a few) specifically for displaying the album so that the cover is visible – this could be the one you are currently playing, your favorite cover, or the rare treasure you recently found. And then have storage for the remaining albums where you just see the edge which allows you to store many many more. Keep the ones you are showing off around eye level to maximize visibility.”

4. Decide how you want to display your collection

Aside from preservation tips like storing your collection vertical and away from direct sunlight, there’s a lot of flexibility in how you display your collection. This is where your creativity gets to shine! If you need some inspiration, read on.

Rich Russo recommends storing records in the IKEA Kallax shelving units. "They come in so many configurations that you can store 50 albums or thousands of albums, and a cool thing to do is to once you store your albums vertically in the shelf, there’s room to display your favorite albums in front of those!"

The IKEA Kallax can be quite tall, so if that’s not your style consider something closer to the ground. “I’d recommend selecting a low media unit with cubic compartments to preserve and showcase your vinyl records while organizing them by genre,” says Charmain Bibby of Bibby Fine Interiors. “You can elevate the look by hanging framed album covers and framed vintage concert posters or music-themed artwork above your media unit – this will create a curated gallery effect”

For those with a little more time, money, and prowess, consider something more custom-built for your collection like Rushda Hakim, a renowned interior designer in NYC, recommends. “To preserve, display, and curate your vinyl record collection, invest in custom-built, modular shelving units with adjustable dividers to accommodate different sizes and styles of records,” says Rushda. “Consider integrating LED backlighting to highlight your favorite album covers, creating a gallery-like effect. For a unique touch, use transparent acrylic shelves to give the illusion of floating records, and include a dedicated listening corner with a vintage turntable and comfortable seating to enhance the overall experience. This approach not only protects your collection but also transforms it into a centerpiece of your home's decor.”

Another quick tip when shopping is to look for shelves that are slightly bigger than your records. “Look for about an inch between the top shelf and the records so you can slide a finger or two in to pull out the record. 13 ½ inches between shelves should do,” recommends Martin Samson of Vinyl Seeker, an online guide to record stores and music.

5. Display vinyl art on walls

Album artwork can be iconic and moving – think Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon or Prince’s Purple Rain. For those records that you love to show off, consider displaying them on your walls. “Frame your favorite vinyl covers and arrange them in a grid on the wall for a vibrant and personalized art display,” recommends Justine Avila of A Jolie Design. “Use frames that open to keep the records accessible and the covers in mint condition.

Mix and match different frame styles and colors to create a dynamic and visually interesting display that reflects your unique taste. For the perfect look to complete your wall, use vintage wooden crates or stylish cube shelving units to store your vinyl records upright, preventing warping and adding a touch of retro charm to your space.”

Display your records with artwork and other decor items, to create a beautiful vignette in your home. Click here to purchase

Michelène Segodnia and Ashley Bonello of Rüme Design add that the choice of the album colors can also have an impact on the feel of your space. “Album covers are art in and of themselves and, once on display, can elevate the aesthetic of the space while demonstrating your taste in music,” they say. “Visually, you can customize the selection to suit the look of the room as well, either by selecting covers with pops of color, or opting for more monochromatic, or high-contrast albums.

You can even swap out album covers every now and then to switch it up a bit. When we are displaying albums; typically in close range to the record player, we love the more modern and minimalistic approach, using clear acrylic ledges, or brackets to mount the records to the wall. Another fantastic option is to purchase individual frames sized specifically for records to house your favorites. These are available in wood or metal options so you can really customize the look to reflect on your style and aesthetic.”

Floating brackets are, in fact, a very popular option for those looking to mount their records instead of storing on a shelf. “Floating brackets can hold up to 15 records per set while showcasing your favorites at the front,” says Cristiana Crin, director of design and founder of Perpetuum Designs. “Choose between rich, dark walnut or light hard maple for a boho-vintage mood or vibrant colors to create an accent with a modern-urban twist. Setting them directly on the wall combines functionality with the benefits of wall decor – while keeping them accessible for cleaning.”

6. Preservation tips

If you’re new to collecting records, it can be hard to know all the specifics or where to start with preservation of your collection. “Rule 1 in storing your vinyl is never flat, always vertical,” says Martin Samson of Vinyl Seeker. “Records are heavy – 50 LPs weigh approximately 30 pounds, and are 8 ½ inches wide with covers. Laying them flat will warp the record and ruin the cover.”

Tim Payne, director and co-founder of Legend Vinyl, seconds this approach, “To preserve your vinyl record collection, store records vertically in a cool, dry place, and avoid stacking them horizontally to prevent warping. You also want to use anti-static inner sleeves and sturdy outer sleeves to protect from dust and physical damage. Regularly clean both records and your turntable to maintain sound quality and longevity.”

Always store your records upright - these Bobo wicker baskets with leather handles are a great way to store your records in a more discreet way. Click here to purchase

Sunlight and dust have ways of wreaking havoc on your collection. “Avoid placing frames or records where they will be exposed to direct sunlight all day, as this can cause the covers to fade and the vinyl to deteriorate,” shares James House of House of Records, a service specializing in custom vinyl records.

7. Create your own vinyl masterpiece

If you really want to add something special to your collection, consider creating a personalized vinyl record with art and music you get to pick yourself through Vinylify or House of Records. “We create personalized vinyl records made to order. You upload your own design and music, and it’s pressed onto a vinyl record. The record is handcrafted, with a custom print cover, and delivered worldwide,” explains Dave Kamsteeg of Vinylify. If you’re an aspiring artist, this is a fantastic addition to your collection.

8. Back up the rare ones

For collectors of priceless and rare vinyl that hasn’t made its way to streaming platforms, it’s a good idea to insure or back-up your collection. "When preserving your vinyl record collection, prioritize records with unique audio content not available elsewhere, and digitally convert them to MP3 or a lossless format like FLAC,” says Geoff Weber of Heirloom Cloud Corporation. “This ensures the preservation of rare sounds while allowing you to display these vintage treasures without worry. For mass-produced records, higher quality audio is often available through digital means, so focus your preservation efforts on those truly unique pieces."

9. If you have the money, go all out!

If you’re serious about curating your collection and listening set-up, J. I. Agnew of Agnew Analog has tips and tricks for you. “The aura of sophistication generously sprinkled around a room through the presence of a substantial record collection can easily be ruined by improperly stored records, or worse, a cheap turntable and small, incorrectly positioned loudspeakers,” says Agnew.

“The records should be stored vertically, on sturdy shelves, away from heat or humidity sources. I personally use a large handcrafted and hand-carved bookcase, commissioned to a local artisan carpenter, with glass doors to prevent the ingress of dust and ornamentally lathe-turned support pillars for the shelves,” continues Agnew. “Steer clear of bookshelf loudspeakers, the true connoisseur will only ever use floor-standing, full range loudspeakers. A disk mastering lathe used as a turntable is the ultimate status statement to complete the picture.”

Kedar Desai of Zero Distortion believes that recognizing the quality of the record is just as important as the quality of the speakers and their positioning. “Good quality LPs from Decca, RCA, Columbia, Vertigo made in the golden analog era cost from a few hundred to the thousands, and have sonics that just cannot be matched by digital era reissues. However, curating these LPs is like curating art – you need to train yourself to understand the labels, early pressings, stampers, and the performances,” says Kedar.

Need a custom solution?

Did you know that my husband is a fine furniture maker? Here is a custom design for a vinyl record cabinet he made for a client here in Salmo, here in Kootenays - it is still under construction. Visit www.bibbyfinefurniture.com

Disclaimer: This blog post contains product affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of the products in this blog. The products will only ship to US addresses.

Tips to Display and Preserve Vinyl Records