Storage Guide: How To Store Collectable, High-Value Items

From coin collections to heirlooms from your granddad’s dad’s dad, sports memorabilia and trading cards, your collection deserves more than just a spot in a cupboard to store collectables — they need to be preserved to hold their condition, value and legacy. 

Whether your treasured items are part of an inheritance, collectables you purchased for resale opportunities, or you want to start your family heirloom piece, you’ll quickly learn that you don’t own your collectables — you’re merely holding onto them, protecting them for the next generation to enjoy. Without a careful plan for the safe storage of valuables, your prized possessions can be left exposed to mildew, odours, damage, and even worse, time.

To ensure the security of your high-value and collectable property, our guide shares tips on how to store antiques, where to store valuables and other smart solutions, ensuring they stay in the same condition as you received them. Because when it comes to collectables, it’s not just what you’ve got — it’s how well you care for it.

Location, location, location

When it comes to storing collectibles, the environment around them can make or break their condition over time. Think of it less like “just keeping things safe” and more like creating a stable little climate where they stay frozen in time. Here’s what to keep an eye on:

Temperature and humidity control

Most collectables are a bit like Goldilocks — they don’t want their storage to be too hot, cold, dry, or damp. Depending on the material, fluctuations in temperature and moisture can cause warping, mould, rust, and brittleness.

• Art & Paper (books, prints, documents): Keep temps around 18–22°C with relative humidity around 40%. Too much moisture? You’ll invite mould. Too little? Paper becomes brittle.
• Metals (coins, jewellery, tools): Prefer low humidity, generally under 40%, to avoid corrosion and tarnishing.
• Textiles & Fabrics (clothing, flags, tapestries): Aim for moderate humidity (45–55%) and avoid plastic wrapping that can trap moisture and invite odours, mildew and mould.

A climate-controlled storage unit is worth every cent if you’re housing multiple valuable items — they’re specially designed to maintain stable conditions that help leave your valuables untouched. On the other hand, silica gel packets and dehumidifiers can help manage humidity levels on a smaller scale but need frequent replacements which can become costly — that is, if you remember to change them out.

Light exposure 

Light — especially sunlight — might help your treasures look great on display, but it’s a slow, silent killer for maintaining their condition.

• UV light fades inks, bleaches fabrics, and breaks down paper fibres and plastics.
• Even artificial light, over time, can dull colours and weaken materials.

If you’re displaying items, use UV-filtering glass or acrylic for frames and install low-UV LED lighting. When not on show, the most secure storage for valuables is in the shadows — literally. Darkness acts as a great preservative to maintain your item’s colour and finish.

Air quality and pollution

Dust, pollutants, and airborne nasties can all accelerate the breakdown of delicate materials. That’s why museums invest in high-grade filtration — it’s why you might also want to find storage options beyond the garage.

• Avoid storing collectables in areas that can expose them to smoke or fumes, such as where you usually barbeque or repair your car and tools.
• Laundries are one of the worst places to choose where to store collectables — your washer and dryer emit humidity and lint, which can affect your treasures.
• For collections that are particularly sensitive due to age, value or materials, HEPA filters can help maintain a clean atmosphere.
• You’ll also want your antique storage maintained in an area with good ventilation to ward off stale, stagnant air, which can encourage mould and mildew growth, especially in humid climates.

Creating the right environment doesn’t need to be high-tech but it does require a little attention. Think of it as giving your collection the chance to age gracefully, with its value and character intact.

Keep your collection safe and snug with the right storage materials 

Choosing the right container, mount or housing to store collectables is just as important as where you put them. Whether you’re deciding on how to store antiques or dealing with historical documents, vintage toys, or rare fabrics, let’s dig into what works, what doesn’t, and how to keep your valuables safe for both the short and long haul.

Take cues from museums

When in doubt, choose archival options to keep valuables safe in storage. That means choosing materials specifically made to protect sensitive items over time. Here’s what to look for:

• • Acid-Free Boxes & Tissue Paper: Standard cardboard and paper contain acids that break down over time, causing them to yellow or become brittle and potentially transferring and staining your valuables. Play it safe and choose archival-standard packing materials.
  • UV-Resistant Glass or Acrylic: If you’re displaying items, particularly art or anything with pigment, opt for UV-filtering glass. It blocks the light spectrum, which can fade colours and damage fibres.
  • Inert Plastics: Look for containers made from polypropylene or polyethylene — they’re stable, non-reactive, and safe for most materials. Avoid PVC, which off-gasses over time and can damage contents.

• Cloths & Archival Polyethylene Foam: Natural fibre cloths and archival foam inserts can be used as coverings, padding, and dividers to insulate and separate valuables, helping safeguard them from interference or to prevent them from knocking together.

Archival packing supplies are a tiny investment in ensuring your valuables leave your storage the same way they entered it. You can find a quality assortment of packing and storage materials at National Storage locations and their online Box Shop.

Organising your collection to secure valuables in storage

Figuring out how to organise your collection isn’t just about neatness — it’s about preventing damage while ensuring items are accessible without constant handling. Some choices available to you include:

• • Shelving: Sturdy metal or sealed wood shelving is ideal for storing antiques like books, figurines, sports memorabilia, sculptures, and other collectables off the floor, preventing them from being tripped over or kicked. Consider a unit with deep and high shelves that can accommodate larger pieces without being knocked. Applying liners to shelves can be a good option to prevent scratches on your shelves and items.
  • Archival Folders: Hard-cover folders featuring protective envelopes to hold documents and segmented sections for coin and trading card collections can help protect their shape, preventing scratches, creases, and frayed or bent edges.
  • Cubbies & Drawers: Great for separating smaller items like jewellery, watches and vinyl records or storing cap and shoe collections — they enable each item to be spaced apart without rubbing on each other.
  • Rails, Trunks & Storage Bins: When considering how to store antique clothing, blankets, and tapestries, rails with padded hangers offer an excellent solution — allowing your garments to hang freely, reducing wrinkles, and letting the fibres breathe. On the other hand, folding is preferable for knitted items and delicate textiles such as wedding dresses. These should be carefully placed in boxes and then stored within a trunk or storage bin, as hanging them may distort their shape and compromise their silhouette.
  • Wall Mounts: Padded brackets fixed to wall studs offer secure storage for valuables, sports equipment and memorabilia, artworks, and guitars, keeping them on display, off the floor, and away from knocks. Wall-mounted brackets are often uniquely made for specific items, helping you avoid awkwardly laying them on a shelf or leaning against another surface, which could stress their joints or build quality.
  • Climate-Controlled Facilities: Wine collections are a little precious. Too cold, and your favourite drop of red or white can age unevenly—too hot, and its flavour can develop an acidic edge. Dedicated wine storage facilities, like those provided by Wine Ark, hold your bottles in a stable, secure environment, helping them age naturally for maximum flavour production.

Home vs self-storage: where to store your valuables

Deciding where to store your high-value collectibles isn’t just about space but security, climate, and convenience. While keeping everything close at hand sounds great in theory, it’s not always the best option. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of storing at home and using a self-storage facility.

Store collectables the right way with National Storage

When it comes to protecting your most prized possessions — whether it’s a first-edition novel, a vintage guitar, or a collection of rare vinyls — how you store antiques and other items matters just as much as what they’re worth. The right environment and materials can make all the difference in preserving their value, beauty, and your ability to share them with your family now and in the future.

At National Storage, we offer more than just space — we offer peace of mind, knowing your collectables are in safe hands at any of our nationwide locations. With climate-controlled units, advanced security, and flexible storage options for furniture and appliances, we can help you declutter every room of your house.

Book your storage today to protect your belongings during a move or for help managing a growing collection long-term.