Must Read Before Buying Vinyl Record Storage Furniture

Before you buy vinyl record storage furniture or a record player stand you should know a few key measurements first. Many people buy a beautiful piece of furniture only to realize their receiver is too deep, their turntable barely fits, or their vinyl record collection has already outgrown the storage space. Whether you’ve been collecting records since Bon Jovi’s first release or you just caught the vinyl bug, this guide will walk you through the measurements and planning steps that help you choose the right record player stand or vinyl record storage furniture for your space.

Is There an Ideal Turntable Setup?

Folks on reddit will debate endlessly on why you should never place your speakers close to your turntable, while many do it anyway because it’s simply just practical. Real estate and therefore space is expensive and this is understandable, we’re not here to judge, instead here are some best practices we’ve seen. Many record collectors want to have a vinyl record storage piece that can house their receiver, turntable, speakers, and records. Others have huge JBL L100 speakers or Bowers & Wilkins and just need a place for their turntable, receiver, and records and others just need a place to house their records. All options are possible, but let’s start by talking about where this piece will go. 

How Much Space Do You Have for a Record Player Stand?

Do you have a listening room, nook, listening corner, or are you combining your vinyl record stand with your tv stand? All is fair as this is your feel good, relaxing space. The first question is how much room do you have?

• What is the length? (measure left to right)
• What is the maximum depth? (front to back)- are there any limitations/walkways?
• What is the ideal height (measure from the floor to where the top of your record player will be)

The three most popular requested heights are as follows:

• 22” H - Low profile vinyl record storage set up typically underneath the tv (this is a young person’s game)
• 30” H -  Comfortable record selection height and turntable set up (this is the average dinner table height*)
• 36” H -  Very comfortable turntable and record selection (this is easiest on the ol’ back) 

How Much Vinyl Record Storage Do You Need?

There are some quick formulas, but no two collections are the same. Here are the quick and dirty numbers

4 Records per inch of space: 

If your LP collection has jumbo, double, gatefold jackets, and/or plastic outer sleeves

100 records would need about 25” of linear space

400 records would need about 100” of linear space

6 Records per inch of space:

If your collection is mostly traditional single records not in outer plastic sleeves 

100 records would need about 17” of linear space

400 records would need about 67” of linear space

Actionable step:
Line up your records and add up how many inches of space your record collection takes  up. 
For example if you have 13” + 13” + 13” = you need 39” of space for the existing collection PLUS Wiggle room. 
Let’s be honest, record collections tend to grow and you want to account for that when thinking about a long term furniture piece. Depending on  your rate of growth you might want to add a minimum of 5” -10”. 

How to Measure Your Turntable and HiFi Equipment

You need to find out the three magic numbers for each. Some people incorrectly assume that there should be a standard size, but there really isn’t. You can have a small tube amp that is only 8” deep or a larger Marantz that is 15” Deep + cables. 

• Length/ Width: (left to right measurement)
• Depth: (front to back) 
• Height
• Turntable: L x D X H
• Receiver: L x D X H
• Speakers: L x D X H
• Dac or other equipment: L x D X H

Why Depth Matters for Turntables and Receivers

One of the biggest mistakes people make when buying a record player stand is forgetting about depth. Many receivers require 12  to 18 inches of depth once cables are connected. That is why many of our record player stands are built at a 14” depth, and we offer 17.5” Widebody models, plus custom depth for larger hi fi equipment.

 

Record Storage Ideas for a Beautiful Listening Room

Audiophile hifi setups

 

Living Room + Your Record Collection

 

Mid century modern record console

 

If you would like to explore more inspiration, check out our full guide on vinyl record storage ideas and turntable setups.

Budget Options for Record Player Stands

There are a range of options for vinyl record cabinets and LP storage furniture, but we do need to keep in mind that a record collection gets heavy quickly. Have you ever tried to carry a couple of crates full of records? If you don’t use proper form you can throw out your back! 

Because of this, whenever possible it is best to choose a solid wood furniture piece for your record console or record player stand. Solid wood has a natural grain structure that helps reduce unwanted vibrations, standing waves, and harsh reflections. Real wood furniture has long been a great choice for hi fi furniture and audio equipment.

$

Let’s talk about pricing. A low cost option many people start with is an IKEA Kallax. These are great entry level vinyl record storage pieces. They are affordable and widely available. The trade off is that you have to go pick it up, bring it home, read the instructions, and assemble it yourself. And for some reason there always seem to be extra pieces left over at the end.

Most of these units are made from particleboard or fiberboard, which works fine for lighter use but is not always ideal for long term durability or heavier record collections.

$$$$

At the other end of the spectrum is high end hardwood furniture made from materials like walnut or oak. These are beautifully crafted furniture pieces with incredible detail and finish work. However, the cost can range around $1,500 for a small record cabinet, $3,000 for a mid sized piece, and upwards of $5,000 for a large custom console. They are stunning pieces of furniture, but they can definitely make a dent in the wallet.

$$

There is also a middle ground that many vinyl collectors are discovering. Solid wood furniture that is made to order, built in the United States, customized for your space, and shipped directly to your door fully assembled.

In a world where mass production and flat pack furniture have become the norm, it almost sounds too good to be true. But there are still small shops building furniture the old fashioned way.

Pieces like these often start around $300 for smaller record player stands, around $500 for mid sized vinyl record storage furniture, and typically range between $1,000 and $1,800 for larger record consoles.

The benefit is that they are built from real wood, arrive fully assembled, and are built like tanks. Many solid wood record player stands are designed to support well over 1,200 pounds of vinyl records and hi fi equipment, making them ideal for growing record collections.

One example of this style of handcrafted vinyl record storage furniture is what we build at Ocean Beach Pallet Co, where every piece is designed with record collectors in mind and built to last.

 

Who Are We?

We have been handcrafting furniture for music lovers, vinyl record collectors, and anyone in need of custom furniture for over 10 years. During that time we have learned a tremendous amount from our clients. In fact, many of our most popular designs came directly from customer requests for specific styles, functionality upgrades, and unique layouts for their audio equipment and record collections.

Our catalog today is essentially a compilation of the most commonly requested vinyl record storage furniture and record player stands ordered by more than 16,000 clients over the years.

Ocean Beach Pallet Co. started in a small backyard workshop in the Ocean Beach and Point Loma area of San Diego. In the early days we were building reclaimed furniture from pallets. Before long customers began asking us to build record holders, turntable stands, and vinyl record storage furniture. Over time that naturally became our niche.

Today we continue building solid wood furniture designed specifically for vinyl record collectors and music lovers who want something durable, functional, and built to last.

In upcoming blogs we will be diving into additional topics related to vinyl record storage, turntable setups, and designing the perfect listening space. Stay tuned, and if you have any questions feel free to reach out to us at help@oceanbeachpalletco.com.

If you are planning a record player setup and want a piece built specifically for your equipment and vinyl collection, feel free to reach out to us. We are always happy to help vinyl collectors design the perfect record player stand or vinyl record storage furniture for their space.

Fabian Guzman
Co-Owner
Ocean Beach Pallet Co.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Vinyl Record Storage

How deep should a record player stand?

Most turntables can fit on a 14” deep cabinet, but many receivers cannot. It’s important to double check your equipment measurements to determine whether a 14”, 17.5”, or deeper custom depth is required for your setup. Also remember to account for cables and the turntable dust cover when measuring. At Ocean Beach Pallet Co, we can build units at virtually any depth, so feel free to ask if your equipment requires a custom fit.

How many records fit in one foot of storage?

Most collections store between 4 and 6 records per inch depending on outer sleeves, gatefold albums, and thicker pressings. This means one foot of vinyl record storage typically holds 48 to 72 records.

What is the best height for a record player stand?

Most collectors prefer record player stand heights between 28” and 36” for comfortable browsing and easy access to their turntable. Others prefer a lower profile setup if they are integrating their vinyl record storage with a TV stand or placing the unit under a window.