This Affordable IKEA Kitchen Find Is A Game-Changer For Storing Vinyl Records

A unique and extensive collection of vinyl records can spark intrigue and inspire feelings of nostalgia in your home. Keeping tangible copies of your favorite albums is a great way to regularly enjoy them and share them with your friends and family. However, it's no secret that collecting vinyl can get expensive. With some rare records costing upwards of $100 apiece, keeping your vinyl collection organized and safe from damage becomes imperative. 

Luckily, there are plenty of fun ways to organize and display your vinyl collection. From affordable vinyl record storage cabinets to clever DIYs you can try at home, there's a myriad of tricks to keep messy vinyl records organized. One popular hack uses simple methods and minimal supplies to transform a cheap kitchen essential from IKEA into clever storage for your records. The VARIERA stainless steel pot lid organizer from IKEA is a highly rated and inexpensive kitchen find that you can use to store your vinyl records. 

Priced at just $7.99, this pot lid organizer can keep your collection safe and secure for a fraction of the price of an expensive vinyl record cabinet. There are no tools required to try this DIY at home. To begin, all you will need is the product itself from IKEA, and maybe some paint if you plan on customizing it to better suit your style, but that step is optional. Here is how you can use this affordable IKEA kitchen essential as a game-changing storage solution for your cherished vinyl records.

Assembling the pot lid organizer is the first step to making your own DIY record storage solution. Luckily, IKEA made this a relatively straightforward process. To begin, unbox all the parts of your VARIERA pot lid organizer, and unfold the accordion-like, stainless steel base. Next, you can use your hands to screw the metal pegs that will hold your records in place in an upright position. Once your VARIERA organizer is assembled, it's time to paint it if you chose to do so. If you're a fan of the stainless steel finish as is, however, you can skip this step. 

If you do decide to paint your rack, be sure to clean it first to remove any dust or debris. Then, lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper and coat it with a primer so that the paint will adhere to the metal surface. Acrylic, enamel, or spray paints are all good options for the pot lid organizer's stainless-steel surface. Select the desired color that fits your personal taste, and apply an even coat. Make sure you give your organizer plenty of time to fully dry before stocking it with records to avoid any damage. 

The VARIERA organizer is small enough that you can easily place it conveniently near your record player on top of a cabinet, a table, or on sturdy shelving. It's also important to pick a piece of furniture that can adequately support the weight of your collection.

One of the simplest ways to ensure your records are safe when you store them in the VARIERA pot lid organizer is to make sure the rack isn't overcrowded. When you cram in too many records and store them too close together, you risk warping, scratching, or breaking your collection. You want to make sure you leave ample amounts of space between the records so that you can comfortably take them in and out without risking damage that could leave them unplayable. This means if you have a larger record collection, you might need more than one organizer to avoid damaging them by storing them too tightly together. 

You also want to make sure you store the records with the organizer's steel base on the bottom, so that your records can sit between the prongs upright. Storing your records upright is one of the safest ways to store them, since gravity and the weight of other records can be damaging to vinyl records when you stack them one on top of the other. Finally, make sure you place your VARIERA organizer in a cool, dry place in your home that's out of direct sunlight. Heat, humidity, and sun exposure can all be harmful to vinyl long-term. Avoid placing your organizer in a place that leaves records exposed to the elements. Overall, keeping your records evenly spaced and in an upright position will help ensure the longevity of your records and keep your collection in top shape.