Vinyl record crates
A vinyl record crate works the way a record shop does: records stand upright, facing you, and you flip through them from the top. Wooden crates, boxes with bevelled sides, metal or bamboo bins: these storage pieces sit on the floor, on a cabinet or next to the turntable.
They suit a first selection, the records you’re playing right now, or a collection split across several crates by genre.
Choosing a vinyl record crate
A crate comes down to three things: its internal size, its stability and how easily you can flip through the records. The rest is a matter of style.
Sized for LPs
A 12-inch LP sleeve measures roughly 31.5 cm square. A crate that’s slightly lower lets the top of the sleeves stick out, which makes them easier to grab, but it must be deep enough for the sleeve to rest fully on the base. Check the width and depth in the specifications.
Estimating capacity
Allow roughly 1 cm of usable width for 3 to 4 records, depending on their weight. Where the manufacturer gives it, capacity is listed on the product page: Pantin, in bamboo, holds up to 50 LPs, for example.
Wood, metal or bamboo
- Engineered wood: crates and boxes in several finishes, such as Corvisart with its bevelled sides.
- Metal and wood: Cardinet and its X-frame recall record shop bins.
- Bamboo: a lightweight option for a small selection.
Where to put a crate?
On the floor, next to a low record player stand, it extends the listening corner. On a top or a shelf, it keeps the records of the moment within reach. Either way, keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators.
Don’t overfill it
An overfull crate makes browsing hard and strains the sleeves. Leave enough room to tilt the records as you flip through. When the crate overflows, add a second one or move up to a record shelf.
Sorting across crates
Several small crates make sorting easy: one per genre, one for new arrivals, one for records to listen to. Card dividers slipped between the sleeves help you find your way, just like in a record shop. A crate also moves from room to room, for a party or a house move.
Crates on legs
To browse standing up without bending down, a raised crate changes everything: our vinyl record storage range also includes crates on legs. And to display the record that’s playing, pair your crate with a now playing record stand.