Storing artwork the right way is very important if you want to keep it looking good and keep its value over time. You can think of good storage as giving your art a safe place away from things like changing temperatures, high humidity, and everyday wear and tear. Whether you collect art, create it, or just want to keep a few pieces safe, learning the basics of proper art storage is useful. This guide explains the main points to keep in mind and step-by-step methods so your artwork stays in great shape.
The best part is that you don’t need special museum equipment for good results. With some knowledge and careful preparation, you can protect your pieces well at home. The main goals are to watch out for the environment, use safe materials, and handle your art gently. Read on for clear advice on how to keep any artwork safe.
Why Storing Artwork Properly Matters
Art is more than decoration – it can be an investment, something special to you, or a piece of history. Storing it the wrong way is like leaving a classic car outdoors in the rain – it’s likely to get damaged. Most art, such as paintings and drawings, are made with materials that can easily be harmed by their surroundings.
If you don’t store your artwork the right way, you risk permanent problems, which can make the art less beautiful and reduce what it’s worth. Knowing why it’s important to store artwork correctly helps you take the right steps to look after your collection for a long time.
How Art Gets Damaged From Poor Storage
Many things can damage art. High humidity can cause mold, mildew, and stains, while very dry conditions might make paintings or paper crack and become brittle. Big temperature changes can make art materials expand and shrink, which leads to warping and breaking. Light, which we’ll discuss more soon, can also seriously harm art.
Handling art carelessly, stacking or packing it badly can cause tears, scratches, or dents. If you use wrapping or storage materials that aren’t acid-free, they can discolor and slowly ruin the artwork as well. Protecting art takes a bit of thought, but it’s worth it.
Which Types of Artwork Need Extra Care?
All art should be stored carefully, but some types are especially fragile. This includes works on paper like watercolors, drawings, and prints, since they can quickly fade in the light or react to acidic materials. Watercolors are especially easy to damage with too much light exposure.
- Textiles
- Photographs
- Mixed media
Oil and acrylic paintings, while sometimes tougher, can still crack or peel if stored where temperature and humidity go up and down. Sculptures need special support and protection from bumps and falls.
Keeping Your Art Valuable and Long-Lasting
If you own art as a collector, keeping it in top condition is important for its value. If a piece is damaged, it usually becomes worth much less. But it’s not all about money-art might mean a lot to you or your family, or be important for other reasons. Good storage today means others can enjoy these pieces long into the future.
Main Things That Affect Art Storage
Knowing what can harm your art is the first step to preventing damage. Usually, you have to pay attention to several things at the same time: light, temperature, humidity, air quality, and how you handle the art. Ignoring any of these can cause problems, so it’s good to review each one.
Light Exposure
Sunlight is one of the fastest ways to ruin artwork. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun break down pigments and materials, causing fading and color changes. This happens quickly with things like watercolors and photographs, but over time all artwork is affected.
Even indirect sunlight will cause fading over the years. To be safe, store artwork in a dark room when you can. If you can’t avoid windows, use blackout curtains to keep out as much light as possible.
Temperature and Humidity
Art stays in good condition when temperature and humidity are kept steady. If either one changes a lot, parts of the artwork may move at different rates, pulling apart or breaking. For most art, store it where it’s cool, dry, and the conditions do not change much.
| Factor | Suggested Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 65-72°F (18-22°C) |
| Humidity | 40%-55% relative humidity |
Keeping these steady helps stop warping, cracking, and mold.
Air Quality and Pollutants
Dust and dirt can settle on art, slowly causing wear or ugly dots and marks. Other pollutants, like fumes from cleaning supplies or even from some household items, can also react with artwork and break it down faster. Keep storage areas as clean as you can, and make sure the air can move around (good ventilation).
Safe Handling
How you move and touch art can make a big difference. Many pieces get damaged by oily fingerprints, creases, or bumps from careless handling. Handle artworks only with clean hands or cotton gloves, and try not to touch the front of the canvas or paper. Get help if you’re lifting or moving a large or heavy piece.
Picking a Safe Place to Store Art
Choosing the right spot for your art is just as important as how you wrap or box it. Not every room makes a good storage space. The best places are away from big temperature or humidity swings, and are protected from leaks or pests.
Best Rooms for Storage
- Rooms without windows, or rooms with blackout curtains
- Interior closets or dedicated storage rooms inside your home
- Anywhere that stays cool, dry, and dark year-round
Check to make sure the area is clean, dry, and doesn’t get too hot or cold during the year.
Climate-Controlled Storage Units
If you have many pieces, or very expensive or delicate ones, renting a storage unit with climate control is a good choice. These storage units keep temperature and humidity steady all year and usually have good security. This is one of the safest ways to store valuable art.
Places to Avoid
- Basements (damp, high risk for mold and flooding)
- Attics (too hot or cold, often dusty or leaky)
- Garages (big temperature and humidity changes, pests)
These places can be risky, as they often get too wet, too hot, or too cold for safe storage.
Good Supplies for Storing Artwork
The supplies you use for packing and storing your art make a big difference. Ordinary boxes, paper, or plastic can have acids or chemicals that hurt the art. Instead, use materials that don’t contain acids and are made for long-term protection.
Archival Boxes and Portfolios
For drawings, prints, small paintings, and photographs that aren’t framed, use acid-free boxes and portfolios. Special boxes like Solander boxes are airtight and acid-free, keeping out dust and moisture. Deep boxes made from cotton rag matboard also work well.
Wraps and Covers
- Use acid-free tissue paper, glassine paper, or special archival interleaving paper between each piece to protect the surface.
- For framed pieces, wrap them in breathable materials like tissue or cardboard-not plastic, which can trap moisture.
- Foam or bubble wrap can add cushioning, but should not touch the artwork surface directly.
Storing Flat or Upright
| Type of Art | How to Store |
|---|---|
| Unframed paper | Flat in a box, with sheets between |
| Framed paintings/canvases | Vertically, on their edges, with space between |
Don’t stack paintings on top of each other, as this can cause dents and breaks.
Household Items to Avoid
Don’t use newspaper, plastic wrap, regular tissue, or old cardboard for storage. These can cause yellowing, stains, or trap moisture-which leads to mold. Stick with products marked “archival” or “acid-free.”
How to Store Different Types of Artwork
Different kinds of art need different care. Here are tips for the most common types:
Canvas and Oil Paintings
- Always store upright, never flat
- Use mirror boxes or telescoping boxes for large pieces
- Wrap in acid-free paper for extra protection
Works on Paper (Drawings, Prints, Watercolors)
- Store flat in archival boxes or shallow drawers
- Place acid-free paper between sheets and handle carefully
- Keep them away from light and excess heat or humidity
Photos and Digital Art
- Put printed photos in acid-free sleeves, albums, or boxes made to protect them
- Avoid sticky photo pages (magnetic albums)
- Back up digital files to both hard drives and cloud storage to prevent data loss
Sculptures and 3D Art
- Set sculptures on strong shelves or stands
- Make sure the support can hold the weight
- Cover with a cotton cloth to protect from dust
- Build custom crates or padding for fragile items
Framed and Unframed Artwork
- Framed art needs acid-free backing and matting; UV glass helps stop light damage
- Store framed art upright
- Unframed pieces do best in boxes, portfolios, or drawers, with paper between items
Storing Art Rolled Up
Rolling paintings or prints up is generally not a good idea-it can cause cracks and creases. If you have to roll something (for moving or temporary storage), roll with the front facing out, use acid-free tubes, and put acid-free paper between pieces. Store tubes upright to keep them safe.
Step-by-Step: Storing Art Safely
Below is an easy checklist to follow to pack and store your art the right way:
- Clean the artwork: Gently dust with a soft brush or cloth. Don’t use water or cleaners on paintings.
- Wrap and package: Use acid-free materials to wrap; add padding for fragile frames and corners.
- Label everything: Write down the artist, title, date, and any handling notes. This makes it easier to find your pieces later and reduces the chance of unnecessary handling.
- Store upright or flat: Boxes with works on paper should be flat and not overfilled. Framed art and canvases should stand upright, separated by dividers.
- Document your collection: Take a photo and write details for each item. Keep a simple list that includes location and any notes about their condition. This is good for keeping track and is useful if you need insurance.
Mistakes to Watch Out For
Common errors can ruin even expensive or beautiful art. Here are mistakes to avoid:
- Letting artwork sit in sunlight or near heaters
- Using non-archival paper, cardboard, or plastic for wrapping or boxing
- Stacking paintings flat or putting heavy things on top of lighter boxes
- Storing paper vertically or canvases on their face or back
- Forgetting to check on stored items every once in a while
Good Habits for Keeping Artwork Safe
Caring for stored art is something you keep doing-not just set up once and forget. Here are a few habits to keep your collection safe year-round:
Check Periodically
- At least once or twice a year, look over your stored pieces
- Check for mold, bugs, new cracks, or color changes
- Look for water leaks or sudden temperature/humidity changes
Update Storage As You Go
- As your art collection changes, you might need more boxes or better shelves
- Upgrade your storage supplies if something better or safer becomes available
Get Expert Help When Needed
- If artwork is already damaged, has mold, or needs repair, contact a professional conservator
- They can advise on cleaning, repair, or long-term storage for especially valuable or delicate items
This simple and careful approach helps keep artworks of all types safe for years to come.