My family enjoys video games and so do millions of other families. Along with this addictive pastime come game boxes, consoles, controllers and cables spread like spaghetti around the television. If a gamer lives in your home, here are some tips to create some order to the craziness.
Game boxes
Physical media games (those not downloaded) typically come in decorative plastic boxes. While they are stackable, uniform shape, and clearly labeled, finding the intended game can be a struggle.
Here is what can be done to keep things straight.
Put game discs back in their proper boxes every single time. It is easy to toss discs on a shelf or on top of other discs. Take the extra few seconds to store the game properly; it will also significantly increase the life of the game.
Sort alphabetically or by some other method meaningful to your gaming people.
Find them a reasonable and logical home. They live in two drawers at our house but they could also live on shelves like books or in handy boxes.
Families with a lot of games may want to sort by category like educational, role-play, or mature games; sort alphabetically within each category.
Game controllers and accessories
Controllers are bulky and vary in shape and needs (batteries and chargers). Certain models must be charged regularly and could require protective cases.
Storage
An easily accessible shelf puts devices within reach and out of the way. Baskets work great for keeping things neat and put away. There are tons of ideas on Pinterest, just be cautious to only implement systems that your family will use.
Charging
A drawer with an outlet is the very best way to store rechargeable controllers. Otherwise, you may need to run an extension cord to where the battery-powered controllers are stored. Keeping them all one place is the most ideal solution.
Game consoles
Xboxes, Playstations, and other gaming consoles are bulky and best stored on a shelf near the television to which it is connected. We have very few options when it comes to disguising them without impeding their usefulness. They have come a long way throughout the years, but we can help them look less like a dusty alien in our otherwise perfectly organized home.
First, keep them clean. A game console is a powerful computer that generates heat. Store them so that all vents are unobstructed and dust them regularly.
Label all cords. There are lots of cord labeling options but don’t make it too hard. A piece of masking tape will do the trick.
The best thing to do is to get the gamers in your house into the habit of cleaning up after saving the universe or rescuing the princess.
