If you love puzzles, you know the frustration: you're halfway through a 1000-piece masterpiece when life gets in the way. Without the right puzzle storage solution, you're either forced to dismantle your progress or leave your puzzle at risk of being scattered, bumped, or destroyed by curious pets and kids.
This guide covers the best ways to store puzzles — whether you want to save a work-in-progress or keep your finished collection safe.
1. Use a Puzzle Mat to Roll Up Your In-Progress Puzzle
The single most effective way to store an unfinished puzzle is a roll-up puzzle mat. Simply build your puzzle on the felt surface, then when you need to stop, roll it up from one end. The pieces lock together on the felt and stay in place.
Puzzle mats are available for up to 1500 pieces and take seconds to pack away. This is the go-to method for puzzlers who work on puzzles over multiple sessions.
2. Use a Puzzle Board with Drawers
A puzzle board with drawers gives you a dedicated workspace that doubles as storage. The sliding drawers underneath store sorted puzzle pieces by colour or edge/interior, keeping everything organised and ready for your next session. The board's felt surface prevents pieces from shifting, and the cover protects your puzzle from dust when not in use.
This is ideal for serious puzzlers who work on one puzzle at a time and want everything neat and accessible.
3. Store Finished Puzzles in Their Original Box
For completed puzzles you want to keep, the original box works well — but only if you've kept it. Line the bottom with a piece of tissue or foam to prevent pieces sliding around. If you've lost the box, a zip-lock bag inside a flat storage bin is a great alternative.
4. Frame or Mount Your Favourite Puzzles
A completed 1000-piece puzzle makes beautiful wall art. Apply puzzle glue to the front, let it dry, then frame it. This is permanent but gives a stunning result — especially for scenic or art puzzles.
5. Use a Puzzle Caddy for Safe Transport
If you puzzle at different locations — a family member's house, a holiday, a puzzle club — a puzzle caddy lets you transport your in-progress puzzle without breaking it apart.
Which Puzzle Storage Method is Right for You?
- Multi-session puzzlers: A puzzle mat or puzzle board with cover
- Gift givers and collectors: Original box storage or framing
- On-the-go puzzlers: A puzzle caddy
- Dedicated hobbyists: A full puzzle table with storage compartments
Browse the full Puzzle Ready accessory range to find your perfect setup.
