Making and storing a puzzle when you’re short of space

Your puzzle occupies the dining table, but you have to release it before the meal? Where you put the puzzle together and where you put it between sessionsHere’s how to pick a support and prepare the storage without dismantling your work.

Puzzle sur une table

What solution to a small space?

You must clear the table every day: compare a suitcase or a rigid board covered. You ‘re short of room for a big set . A rolling mat may be suitable. You can keep a dedicated piece of furniture: A table with drawers arranges the work, but always takes up space on the floor.

Comparison of three storage solutions

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Model of theStorage solutionThe LimitWhere to buy
Ravensburger Mallette Puzzle – Rangement, Tri et Transport – 300 à 1000 Pièces – 6 Bacs de Tri – Plateau Rigide – Accessoire Puzzle
Ravensburger – Mallette puzzle 300 à 1000 pièces
Bag: plate and six sorting boxes300 ⁇ 1000 pieces advertised; closure to be verified

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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Ravensburger - Tapis de Puzzle 3000 pièces - Tapis pour Puzzle Enroulable - 17957
Ravensburger – Roll Your Puzzle XXL 1000 à 3000 pièces
Carpet XXL: wrapped storage150 × 100 cm; parts which are capable of moving

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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Tektalk Planche de Puzzle Pliable 2000/1500/1000 pièces avec Hauteur réglable, Table de Puzzle avec Couvercle et 8 Plateaux de tri/tiroirs, chevalet Puzzle avec Pieds, fermé avec 4 roulettes
Tektalk – Table de puzzle pliable en bois
Table: two formats and eight drawersDedicated furniture; not turning a puzzle in progress

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

This selection is based on the advertised product characteristics. We have not tested all the transport systems. The dimensions of the puzzle and the closing or folding procedure remain decisive.

Products according to your use

Ravensburger Mallette: for puzzles up to 1000 pieces

Ravensburger Mallette Puzzle – Rangement, Tri et Transport – 300 à 1000 Pièces – 6 Bacs de Tri – Plateau Rigide – Accessoire Puzzle
Ravensburger – Mallette puzzle 300 à 1000 pièces

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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To assemble, sort and store in one box. The Ravensburger briefcase is advertised for puzzles from 300 to 1000 piecesIt’s a rigid tray, six sorting pans and handles.

Why choose it: The compartments are a convenient way to keep the free pieces apart from the assembly.

That is to say: check the useful dimensions and the closing system for your exact puzzle. Close it according to the instructions, avoid shaking and do not assume that it is suitable for all 1000 piece puzzles.

Ravensburger Roll Your Puzzle XXL: for a wrapped storage

Ravensburger - Tapis de Puzzle 3000 pièces - Tapis pour Puzzle Enroulable - 17957
Ravensburger – Roll Your Puzzle XXL 1000 à 3000 pièces

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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To clear the table with a wrapped storage. The Roll Your Puzzle XXL is advertised for puzzles of 1000 to 3000 pieces. 150 × 100 cm, a buffering tube and a holding bandage.

Why choose it: The first step is to start the assembly on the carpet, or carefully transfer the puzzle before using it.

That is to say: A winding can move parts. Follow the manual and check the dimensions of the puzzle: a panoramic or atypical format can exceed the carpet despite the number of pieces announced.

Wood Tektalk: for a dedicated and organised installation

Tektalk Planche de Puzzle Pliable 2000/1500/1000 pièces avec Hauteur réglable, Table de Puzzle avec Couvercle et 8 Plateaux de tri/tiroirs, chevalet Puzzle avec Pieds, fermé avec 4 roulettes
Tektalk – Table de puzzle pliable en bois

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Our recommendation is to alternate between 1,000 and 2,000 pieces. The wood Tektalk has a reversible plate, a maximum area of 102 × 77 cm, eight drawers and a height of 75 to 95 cm. Two felt protections accompany both configurations.

Why choose it: The format change and the eight drawers meet a daily need for organization. The structure uses metal, pine and particle board; the work surface is in flannel. “Wood” does not therefore mean a bare surface in solid wood.

That is to say: Changing the layout of the tray is not the same as folding a puzzle in progress. Do not return a occupied surface. Also check the dimensions of the cabinet and the height in relation to your chair.

How to put the puzzle together after each session

1. Prepare the support from the beginning

Install the carpet, board or tray of the briefcase on a stable surface before you start. Compare its dimensions to the finished puzzle. A board must be rigid enough not to bend when you move it.

2. Keep the spare parts

Put them in drawers, bins or boxes closed, separated by zones if this helps. Check that the compartments close without compressing the parts. Keep the reference image and the box close to the support.

3. Cover or close according to the system

On a board, put a protection that does not push on the parts and that will not slip during the movement. Close the briefcase according to its instructions. With a carpet, use the supplied tube and straps, then roll slowly: do not force on a section that rises.

4. Move the puzzle carefully

Keep a horizontal board, support it properly and prepare the way before wearing it. On a roller table, close the drawers and avoid the thresholds. Do not lift a puzzle not glued only by its assembled edges.

5. Choose a dry, sheltered place

A rigid support can be placed flat under a bed or on a shelf if space is sufficient. Also measure handles and drawers. A carpet is arranged according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid damp places, heavy objects placed on the puzzle and areas of passage.

If the puzzle is already on the table

Don’t try to lift it up like a single leaf. Move small sections supported by a rigid support if assembly permits. If the parts are easily detached, move the areas gradually or take them back to the new support. For the next puzzle, preparing the storage before we start will be easier.

Protecting the Puzzle for Children and Animals

A felt cover limits exposure to dust, but can be moved. A rigid cover or closed storage is a more suitable track when the puzzle is likely to be hit. Store it out of the reach: no simple slip-proof coating guarantees protection against a cat jumping on the tray.

A simple solution without specialised purchases

A rigid panel of sufficient size on a table can be used as a temporary support. Check its weight, rigidity and absence of annoying edges. Add boxes for free rooms and protection during breaks. It always takes a place where the panel is to be put flat.

Mistakes to Avoid

Choose only according to the number of pieces; confuse a reversible table with a support that closes on the puzzle; store a board too large in a space too narrow; or consider a soft cover as a lock for transport.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you put a puzzle in motion without unraveling it?

Start with a suitable support: roll-in mat, rigid board or briefcase. Set the free parts, cover the assembled sections and follow the instructions of the support. A foldable table does not guarantee that the puzzle can be folded with it.

Can we put a puzzle under a bed?

Yes, if a rigid, covered support is completely under the bed, flat, in a dry place. Measure the width, depth and height available, including drawers, handles and possible feet.

Does a rug keep all the pieces exactly in their place?

Not always. The carpet limits movement, but parts or sections can move during winding. Follow the package leaflet, drive gently and take the assembly carefully.

How do you protect a puzzle from cats?

Prefer a closed support or a sustained cover, then keep the puzzle out of the reach. A soft cover on it is not always enough: it can be lifted or moved.

Do you have to stick a puzzle to keep it between two sessions?

No, the glue is used to fix a puzzle that you want to keep together, so to retrieve an ongoing puzzle, use a storage medium and keep the pieces free in closed compartments.

Guides to complete your installation

Choosing a puzzle board

Comparing foldable tables and their limits

Carpet or puzzle table: what to choose ?

Keeping a Finished Puzzle

Providing a useful accessory for a puzzle enthusiast

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