Storing loose LEGO pieces is tough. I’ll show how to store them, sort by categories, and label thousands of parts.

Storage

Parts can be stored in bins, drawers, or bags depending upon how much you separate by part type and colors. The majority of my LEGO collection is kept in plastic Sterilite drawers, designed with removable covers allowing you to easily stack on more drawers. I use three different sizes of Sterilite drawers: large stacked 6 drawers high, medium piled 20 drawers high, and small stacked 11 drawers high on bookshelves. Stacked too high the drawers have a hard time bearing weight. I cut cardboard from food boxes like cereal containers to fit as drawer dividers. They keep parts organized inside the drawers.

Any kind of tall shelving, whether made of wood or plastic resin, can be used to store ongoing projects or displaying finished builds. 

Categories 

Sorting by color looks nice. But unless it’s for young kids, it slows finding pieces and quick building. Grouping by type, like bricks, plates, slopes, minifigs, accessories, speeds up spotting the right parts.

Here are three ways to sort LEGO into categories.

Option 1

1. Bricks: Basic LEGO bricks like 2×4, 1×2, and other shapes
2. Plates: Flat parts with studs 
3. Tiles: Smooth plates
4. Minifigures: All minifigure parts including bodies, heads, accessories, and hair
5. Wheels & Axles: Wheels, tires, and axles for vehicles
6. Technical Parts: LEGO Technic pieces such as beams, gears, connectors
7. Specialty Parts: Unique pieces like windows, doors, and special shapes
8. Accessories & Decorations: Weapons, tools, and decorative elements
9. Baseplates: Large foundation plates including themed baseplates

Option 2

1. Bricks: Standard bricks in all sizes and colors
2. Plates: Flat parts with studs
3. Tiles: Smooth plates
4. Minifigures: Figures, hats, plumes, etc
5. Accessories: Tools, weapons, and minifigure items
6. Vehicles: Cars, trucks, planes, boats, etc.
7. Buildings: Walls, doors, windows, roofs
8. Trees and Plants: Nature pieces for landscaping
9. Specialized Pieces: Unique parts like decorations or Technic pieces
10. Animals: LEGO animals and pets
11. Mechanics: Gears, axles, and moving parts
12. Baseplates: Large building foundation plates
13. Bricks with Prints: Pieces with designs or stickers
14. New Arrivals: Recently added pieces
15. Miscellaneous: Pieces that don’t fit other categories

Option 3

1. Minifigures
2. Accessories: Tools, weapons, minifigure items
3. Bricks – Modified Bricks
4. Plates 1×3, 1×4, 1×6, etc.
5. Plates 2×2, 2×3, 2×4, etc.
6. Plates 3×3 or larger
7. Modified Plates
8. Tiles
9. Wedges
10. Slopes
11. Miscellaneous: Pieces that don’t fit other categories
12. Miscellaneous Large Pieces: Big pieces that don’t fit standard drawers
13. Curved and Arched Parts
14. Technic
15. Animals
16. Baseplates
17. Parts with Stickers

You can come up with your own categories based on how you build. These categories could be based on anything, like parts for houses, parts from specific themes. The key is to use categories that help you find the part you need the fastest. 

Grouping bricks by type, color, mold, seems perfect. But it’s tough to keep up over time. I skip old or faded ones to save room and stay simple. You choose if you mix colors or molds.

Labeling

I track my digital inventory in BrickStore. To label drawers I use an alphanumeric code. It’s quick to find the drawer location when a part goes missing.

On the drawers I use Avery labels, which have free downloadable templates for printing.  For labels I assign a letter and number for each drawer. The letter represents the category and the number represents the drawer. I use Avery sheets to print labels with the letter and number, followed by another label that describes the contents, such as doors, arches, minifigures, etc. When you run out of room, this labeling system also makes it so you can add in a drawer in the middle and just move the alphanumeric labels up a drawer. The labels are easy to peel and stick on again. 

I stick Avery labels, on my drawers. They come with free templates you can download and print. Each drawer gets a letter for its category and a number for its spot. I print the letter-number combo on Avery sheets. Next to it goes a label naming the contents, like doors, arches, or minifigures. When you need more space, this labeling setup lets you slide in a drawer right in the middle. Just shift the alphanumeric labels up one drawer. Avery labels peel off and stick back on with ease.

Sorting LEGO parts takes effort, but it pays off if finding pieces for a build gets tough. Share in the comments if you’ve tried these organization tips.