Photo album storage ideas for shelves, boxes and cupboards
Store photo albums on a supported shelf in a cool, dry indoor room, away from sunlight, radiators and leaks. Use well-fitting protective boxes and label them so books are easy to retrieve.
Measure the closed albums before buying boxes. Allow for the cover and binding so neither has to bend to fit.
Keep viewing copies where you can reach them and delicate originals protected. List each book's dates and subject so you can find it without opening every album.
Make a digital scrapbook
Add your photos and keepsakes in tbf scrapbook, then arrange them on the pages.
Choose a cool, dry indoor room
The Library of Congress advises stable, cool and relatively dry conditions for photographs. Avoid hot attics, damp basements and positions near radiators or possible leaks.
An indoor cupboard or shaded shelf can limit light exposure. Keep the albums off the floor, and leave food and drinks away from the collection.
Choose boxes that fit without bending
The National Archives recommends containers large enough for originals without bending, but fitted closely enough to limit shifting. Measure the album with its cover and closures included.
Support the whole album on a shelf or inside its box. Do not squeeze a thick book between tighter books or press its closure shut.
Check materials that touch the photographs
The Library of Congress says photo-safe enclosures must meet specifications including the Photographic Activity Test. Check supplier details rather than relying on the word archival alone.
The National Archives advises against overstuffed albums and unknown glues or plastics. Keep loose originals out of unsuitable bags or sticky self-adhesive pages.
Label the boxes
Put the date range and subject on the box or in a separate list. Label the storage, not the original photographs.
Take a picture of each cover and one contents page for your index. Keep a separate backup of scans, while retaining the physical originals.
Steps
Measure and list
List each album's size, thickness, dates and condition. Check the heaviest or most fragile book before buying containers.
Choose a supported shelf
Use an indoor position away from direct sunlight, heat and water sources. Check that the full book or its box rests on the shelf.
Fit protective boxes
Choose a container that takes the closed album without bending it. Test removal and avoid stacking heavy boxes on fragile covers.
Label and index
Put the date range and subject on the outer container. Keep a cover photograph and the shelf location in a separate collection list.
Questions
Where should I store old photo albums at home?
Choose a stable indoor room with a supported shelf or cupboard. Avoid damp basements, hot attics, radiators and places vulnerable to water leaks.
Can I store photo albums in ordinary plastic bags?
Do not assume an unknown plastic is suitable for photographs. Check photo-safe material specifications and choose a container that supports the whole album.
Should I scan albums before storing them?
Use scans as viewing copies and keep the physical albums. Back up the scans separately from the device you used to make them.