comments:
Not sure just how "big" your collection actually is... but for BIG or quickly expanding collections, these BCO shelf systems come highly recommended. If you're in the US midwest, they'll be at Brickworld Chicago demoing some product in June. Can get a bit pricey, but apparently worth every bit. Someday I'd love to fill a room full of those, and have my "ultimate dream collection", but alas... REFERENCE I'd say I have a "medium" collection, consisting of over 250 sets/125,000 pieces/$18,000 market value; at least half of that is Technic, so that somewhat dictates the sizing of storage bins I buy. By no means am I suggesting here the best brands nor prices. However, I do own each of the exact items linked, and am beyond happy that I can sort, store, and build with what I've got, with relative ease. I build MOCs just as much as, if not more than, vanilla Lego sets. I tend to buy multiple copies of sets for parts hauls, or hit the local Bricks 'n' Minifigs for bulk lots. The main goal for me is to keep my storage inexpensive yet flexible, while I grow into a bigger collection, more spacious home, and a more permanent storage solution. To date, I've spent just a bit over $500 in storage (not including shelving for built stuff), and generally try catch items when on sale. LARGE STORAGE Currently, I have multiple towers of stackable Sterilite drawers of all sorts of shapes, sizes, and draw configurations, that surround a powered 4-foot workbench. Under the bench, I have a large number of Storehouse portable cases that I keep all of my common Technic bits in, like pins and axles in the smaller yellow cup-style containers, Technic beams and panels in the larger ones. Those stack nicely inside those old-school 12-gallon bins with the folding lids. Every brand has a different shape and interior measurement; your mileage will vary as far as what fits inside what. I recommend buying a roll or two of toolbox drawer liner to put between each stacked layer of drawers, and removing any little included "feet" under the frame. Far better traction to prevent tower slideouts/knockovers, and helps dampen the sound as a bonus. SMALL STORAGE The smaller Storehouse clear cases are great for fillers inside some of the Sterilite drawers if you need sub-sorting, or there are many other options like these cool little divider bins that can fit relatively well into most Sterilite-style drawers. There are soooo many different brands/colors/styles of those little dividers, so really it kinda just boils down to buying what you need to fill any drawers you might want with smaller compartments.