storage space for your collection (2 Viewers)

Mitch

Mitch

Major General
Joined
May 1, 2010
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13,519
Guys...

I have noticed another running theme with lots of collectors bar a few of the notable ones is the constraints of space and, was wondering how collectors deal with this limitation on collection size.

Do you have an idea of how many items you want, can store in a given area or, just gradually creep into other parts of the home. I am fortunate to have areas which are for the bits and bobs I buy but, I also have a great wife who does not mind stuff being brought for display into living areas so, I have FL and aeroart in a cabinet in the living room.

When and how do you decide what is enough (if ever) when things need to be sold if you sell and how do you choose the items to be given the death blow over others.

Look forward to responses
Mitch
 
My own personal "Field of Mars" is my basement- and it is rather spacious and I have been Blessed with that. That being said, I took stock of what eras I wanted to collect, conceivably what size diorama could I afford to construct and then measured out tables to put them on in my basement. I broke them down into three categories:

1.) Major- each gets a plywood sized table- 8' by 4'- WW2 (actually two tables), Rome ,and now possibly the War in Iraq;

2.) Moderate- 7'x3'- slightly smaller than a sheet of plywood- Egypt, AWI- WW1 (maybe, still not sure yet)

3.) Minor- 4'x2'- Omaha beach, Greece, Modern Afghanistan

Regarding when to sell lines- well, I did go wildly overboard with WW2- buying Iwo Jima sets, Bulge sets, Fall of Berlin sets, etc. I also got rid of my East of India Samurais and regret that decision, but was happy to part with the KC sets- they just didn't seem to go anywhere so I figured I'd cut my losses and move on- and am immensely glad I did. Now I can focus on the push across France 44 and am happy for it.

Right now- am focusing on Egypt, Rome and Modern warfare. To me, spending the kind of money that we have to on this hobby, it's sort of odd to buy a set of figures and leave them in the box- all my figures are deployed- to leave them in the box sort of seems like taking a small, colorful cardboard box, filling it with money, and storing it somewhere in your house. If you can't put it on display somewhere, then sell something or just don't get it.
 
Ah, the never-ending story. Space vs. want. First off, I have a very understanding wife who actually likes the look of my TS hobby. She does not mind where they are displayed. I am very lucky. As to space, I have several 7 ft. high bookcases that furnishs a lot of display space. I also have a sideboard in the dining room and an antique, double glass doored bookcase that is divided between TS and my wife's cat collection. Share and share alike. I am a believer in display what you have, don't leave them in boxes. This is about to end as I am all but out of space. Something is going to end up in boxes soon. Space has always been limited and some of my earlier collection was sold or traded for new additions. Never really regreted getting rid of anything as my tastes have changed from time to time but I have never unloaded anything that was given as a gift or any of the TS (Britains) that my father gave me from his childhood (1920's, early 30's). Anything I moved out was bought by me, thus no real sentimental ties. I don't see me ever stopping the collection (45+ years and counting) unless prices drive me out (even then I might get the occasional "must have"). Sorry this is so long. -- Al
 
You can always do what Jim Hillestad did-build a separate house for your collection ;)

Prost!
Brad
 
As a younger collector, I only have to deal with what my mother wants. She greatly approves of the hobby, as she knows that it is education and a good investment (not a waste). She also likes the dioramas and has even begun to like the toy soldiers! So I can display them anywhere in the house, and she also put in a bunch of shelves/a big table in my room.
 
Everything still fits into my home office so far - see TF album - (and I still have room) so I am good for a few years I think since I only collect Naps :)
 
Yes, room is always a problem, sometimes a few things have to go, something new coming up, etc... But there are always a few sets I don't want to part with, like my Imperial Prod. Naps or K&C Rommel's Greif or my starting to build FL collection. About to move to new home (end of the year, start of the next) already busy packing my TS, so I hope to get some more room than I have now (at an office in my future home). I also have most of my 1/72 diecast warbirds at my work office, small curio that does the business in the waiting room...

Paulo
 
I never sell or trade any of mine. So space is hard to come by,
and I ran out of room in the house. As a result I just dug a
trench in the backyard.:D Makes a nice diorama too.
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Finding places to display items has not become a problem for me as yet since I have my son's old room and basement to play with. The BIG problem is what to do with all the boxes:eek:
Bill
 
Currently my problem is where to paint and work on what I have. After we converted the den to the kid's room I would set up on the island between the kitchen and dining room, but this was a bit of an eyesore (and now my three-year-old can access this area pretty quickly). For a while I had a folding card table wedged into the corner of the guest room, but it was a tight squeeze and once and a while guests would actually show up. I have a decent desk in the back of my garage but it's a little too cold to work out there now. Until we get a bigger house my plan is to work on the dining room table by night and cover everything up with an elaborate hollow centerpiece by day.
 
kx1a said:
Finding places to display items has not become a problem for me as yet since I have my son's old room and basement to play with. The BIG problem is what to do with all the boxes:eek:
Bill
Click to expand...

Thats an easy one to solve Bill - put 'em in a box! johnnybach

I guess us oldies are the lucky ones. When the kids move out - we have spare bedrooms! I'm a magpie - and cannot part with any that appeal - but as a painter - I am limited by what I can physically do. So the answer for a lot of folks would be - have a go at painting castings. It takes longer - so you buy fewer - and save a bit of money along the way. It is also FAR more satisfying to see a finished piece - and know you did it yourself, regards - johnnybach
 
Wish my room was pest free - "El Commandante" keeps coming in and tidying up. Can't find anything afterwards for weeks!!
johnnybach.
 
In packing up everything recently in anticipation of a move, I was first of all a little surprised by the number of figures that had somehow accumulated over the years (not my doing at all...they just like to congregate at my house!)...some figures I had completely forgotten about...others I swear I have never seen before! Well, I don't throw away boxes, but I have also acquired many figures without boxes...so....how to effectively store everything with some kind of efficiency and economy of space. Let's face it, the boxes take up a lot of room, but you have to keep them, and there is usually an out of the way space to ditch them that would not be convenient to access the figures as well. There is an alternative, however. I find that storing the figures in trays lined in foam is a huge space saver and a very easy way of getting your hands on the figures you want quickly. I then keep the most important pieces in aluminium cases that house the trays perfectly. All the rest of the trays are currently all piled up, awaiting their next move.

I included a few photos, so you get the idea. Oh...before I forget...with this many trays (I have somewhere in the order of 250) , it is very easy to lose track of what's what; I label every tray carefully. Otherwise finding what you need is almost impossible.
 

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After many years of collectting toy trains, there is is only one solution if you do not intend to sell anything. Public storage with climate control. I have portable shelves in them for easy access.
 
Scarlet Pimpernel said:
In packing up everything recently in anticipation of a move, I was first of all a little surprised by the number of figures that had somehow accumulated over the years (not my doing at all...they just like to congregate at my house!)...some figures I had completely forgotten about...others I swear I have never seen before! Well, I don't throw away boxes, but I have also acquired many figures without boxes...so....how to effectively store everything with some kind of efficiency and economy of space. Let's face it, the boxes take up a lot of room, but you have to keep them, and there is usually an out of the way space to ditch them that would not be convenient to access the figures as well. There is an alternative, however. I find that storing the figures in trays lined in foam is a huge space saver and a very easy way of getting your hands on the figures you want quickly. I then keep the most important pieces in aluminium cases that house the trays perfectly. All the rest of the trays are currently all piled up, awaiting their next move.

I included a few photos, so you get the idea. Oh...before I forget...with this many trays (I have somewhere in the order of 250) , it is very easy to lose track of what's what; I label every tray carefully. Otherwise finding what you need is almost impossible.
Click to expand...

That is a great idea Nicholas, can I ask where these cases and tray come from though?
 
Scarlet Pimpernel said:
In packing up everything recently in anticipation of a move, I was first of all a little surprised by the number of figures that had somehow accumulated over the years (not my doing at all...they just like to congregate at my house!)...some figures I had completely forgotten about...others I swear I have never seen before! Well, I don't throw away boxes, but I have also acquired many figures without boxes...so....how to effectively store everything with some kind of efficiency and economy of space. Let's face it, the boxes take up a lot of room, but you have to keep them, and there is usually an out of the way space to ditch them that would not be convenient to access the figures as well. There is an alternative, however. I find that storing the figures in trays lined in foam is a huge space saver and a very easy way of getting your hands on the figures you want quickly. I then keep the most important pieces in aluminium cases that house the trays perfectly. All the rest of the trays are currently all piled up, awaiting their next move.

I included a few photos, so you get the idea. Oh...before I forget...with this many trays (I have somewhere in the order of 250) , it is very easy to lose track of what's what; I label every tray carefully. Otherwise finding what you need is almost impossible.
Click to expand...
Now, this is genius. Fine idea and execution. -- Al
 
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