Storage Solutions for Archive, Art Galleries, Heritage and Museums
At Polstore Storage Systems, we know that storage for museums and collections must provide easy visual access while protecting your artefacts safely and securely.
With decades of experience, we’ve seen firsthand which storage solutions truly make a difference for museums and galleries.
In this guide, we list five of the best types of storage for optimising your space, protecting your collection, and ensuring easy access.
Let’s dive in.
At Polstore, we’ve been helping museums in the UK tackle their unique storage challenges since the 1960s, and supplying over 400 museums with solutions that go beyond just holding items.
From storage cabinets, display cases and cabinets, museum shelving, art display racks, archive shelving and other heritage equipment, we can help secure the best storage systems for your museum. Get in touch with our team today!
The Importance and Benefits of Museum Storage
It’s easy to overlook, but effective storage is the backbone of any museum or gallery. Here’s why it’s so important:
Preservation of Cultural Heritage
The primary function of museum storage is to protect artefacts, artworks, and documents from deterioration. Without proper storage, invaluable items risk damage from environmental factors, pests, and physical wear, potentially erasing vital pieces of our shared history.
Accessibility for Research and Rotation
While some items are always on display, the vast majority of a museum’s collection is held in storage. Researchers need access to these items, and curators frequently rotate exhibits. Well-organised storage ensures that items can be easily located, safely retrieved, and returned without risk of damage.
Maximising Space
Museums, regardless of their size, often face space constraints. Smart storage solutions, even for those with the smallest budgets, can transform your museum’s potential by making more effective use of existing space.
This means being able to house larger collections, accept new acquisitions, and maintain better working conditions.
Security and Inventory Control
Priceless items need to be secure. Modern storage solutions offer advanced locking mechanisms and allow for precise inventory management, reducing the risk of theft and ensuring that every item is accounted for.
Future-Proofing Your Collection
As collections grow and research needs evolve, a flexible and scalable storage system is essential. Investing in the right storage now means your museum is prepared for the future, ensuring the longevity of your collection for generations to come.
5 Best Types of Storage for Museums and Galleries
1. Mobile Shelving / Roller Racking
These systems are a cornerstone of modern museum storage. They consist of shelving units mounted on movable carriages that can be manually or electrically cranked along floor tracks, eliminating the need for fixed aisles between every row.
This significantly increases storage capacity in a given footprint, maximising space utilisation. They also offer a degree of environmental stability by creating a “sealed” environment when closed.
Application – Ideal for archives, general museum collections (ceramics, archaeological finds, textiles in boxes, flat files), and libraries.
2. Picture, Painting & Art Racking
Artwork, especially paintings, requires specialised storage that protects delicate surfaces and frames while making them easily viewable and accessible.
Picture racking, also known as art racking, consists of tall, strong panels, often mesh, that slide out on tracks.
This system prevents canvases from touching, minimises dust accumulation, allows for quick visual inspection, and makes it easy to move individual pieces without disturbing others.
Application – A must-have for art galleries and museums with extensive painting collections, ensuring optimal preservation and efficient access to valuable artworks.
3. Display Cases & Cabinets
Display cases and cabinets offer precise environmental control (humidity and temperature), UV protection, dust prevention, enhanced security with robust locking mechanisms, and the ability to showcase items while keeping them safe.
Application – Perfect for collectables, small artefacts, textiles, and precious documents, particularly those that are frequently rotated or require continuous environmental monitoring.
4. Plan Chest Drawer Cabinets
For large, flat items like maps, blueprints, historical documents, textiles, botanical specimens, or archaeological drawings, standard shelving just won’t cut it.
Plan chest drawer cabinets feature wide, shallow drawers that allow these items to be stored flat, preventing creasing, folding, or damage.
Application – Archives, natural history museums, and any institution with extensive collections of large, flat materials, safeguarding them from physical stress and environmental harm.
5. Archive Shelving
Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Robust, adjustable archive shelving is the foundation of many museum storage areas. Designed for heavy loads and often with adjustable heights, it’s perfect for storing boxed items, smaller artefacts in containers, books, and various other collection materials.
This type of shelving offers versatility, cost-effectiveness, high weight capacity, and easy adjustability to accommodate different-sized items.
Application – Efficient and accessible general collection storage in any museum, gallery, or archive, providing a flexible solution for a wide range of less sensitive or boxed items.
Museum and Heritage Storage From Polstore
Every museum, gallery, and archive has a unique set of needs and challenges – there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to preserving history and art. That’s why we don’t just sell products – we offer free advice and consultation from the outset.
We’ve been at the forefront of museum storage for over 60 years, helping institutions like The Natural History Museum enhance their fine arts, artefacts, retrieval, and display solutions.
“Polstore covered all aspects of what we required. They upgraded the standard into something special including a professional and reliable fit out service.” Jennifer Stevens, Curator, National History Museum Conservation Lab
From workshop storage drawers, display cases for collectables, museum shelving, art display racks, archive shelving and other heritage equipment, we have the expertise and the product range to meet your requirements.
Contact Polstore if you’re ready to discuss your storage needs or have any questions for us. Let us help you secure the best storage systems for your museum.
Call us on +44 800 008 6861 or complete our online enquiry form.
Polstore Storage Systems is committed to providing high-quality, customised solutions for all your storage needs. Transform your heritage space today with our expert services.
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