Your vinyl deserves better

This is an appeal on behalf of the Vinyl Neglect Group in association with Mixmag and IKEA. In homes across the country a new form of disregard is growing. Many DJs simply aren't looking after their vinyl collections properly. Piles of dusty acetate are being left in old record bags. Dub-plates are warping by radiators. First-presses are gathering dust, propped against bedroom walls. And worse, entire vinyl collections being kept in a parent's loft until the owner "gets a studio space". There will be no studio space.

The Vinyl Neglect Group with Mixmag and IKEA knows that an organised DJ is a better DJ. A functioning home for your vinyl collection, properly organised, will not just improve your life but also your DJing. Finding the right tune at the right time can mean the difference between a SoundCloud mix that limps or zings. Picking the right tunes for a weekend's record box needn't rely on the same 15 party tracks you've been playing since 1998. A well organised vinyl collection allows you to find old gems, instantly locate tried-and-tested set pieces and bring back the classics – actual classics, not the same old classics everyone is dropping.

The first thing you need is the right storage. The right system can last a lifetime, giving generations a better vinyl storage solution. IKEA's KALLAX system is an update on the classic EXPEDIT; it can hold more weight (13kg per unit), has thinner frames, is more durable and comes in eight colours and finishes from high-gloss red to birch effect.

Once your storage unit is built, all that remains is to organise it. This can be alphabetical, by genre, by artist, date of release, date of purchase, or even the colour of the sleeve. Let the classification begin...

For more see here

DJ STORAGE TIPS We asked DJs for their tips in getting your vinyl collection back in shape and functioning again

Mr C "The perfect way to store vinyl is to make a cabinet that doubles as a DJ stand. As you know, most records are 12", so there should be 13" square boxes in the cabinets. They should be around 40" high so that equipment can sit on top, and there needs to be space for the DJ set-up and monitor speakers, so I'd suggest two sizes, one six boxes wide, the other eight boxes wide, as some DJs have both vinyl and CD decks."

DJ Marky "I have thousands of records: some at home, others at my mum's house which has turned into a bit of a vinyl warehouse. I still go record shopping to this day. So I have to organise so that I can actually find records I need. I have things organised more by eras and 'moments in time' so I know where to go to find my old-skool jazz records or hardcore jungle."

Mr Scruff "I store mine by genre, then alphabetically by format. LP then 12" then 10" then 7". I have a modular custom-made unit to make full use of my ceiling height – kind of like fitted shelves, but you can move them around. Despite that, there are thousands of records on the floor. Can you come round and tidy up a bit?"

Joey Negro "I tend to alphabeticise my records so they can be found easily. Then I split them into 12" and albums, house, nonhouse (disco/soul/funk/pop). I have a few random shelves of hip hop, accapellas, duplicate copies, my own releases, vinyl I used to play out with, stuff I bought recently – though there's a good argument for keeping all the singles together alphabetically. It's important to try and put records back when you've listened to them; it's easy to end up with piles on the floor which you've kept out for some reason or other."

Mad Professor "Vinyl should be organized with the spine on the outside, and the front facing the right. My categories include soul, reggae, dub, jazz, Philly, Motown..."