Rule 1: Category first, colour never (well, almost never)
Every new sorter starts by colour, because it looks satisfying. Then they need a 2×4 brick and have to check twelve colour drawers. Experienced builders sort by part type, then by size, and only split by colour when a single category outgrows its drawer (typically 1×1 round plates, 2×4 bricks, and 1×2 plates). Colour is a last subdivision, not the first.
Rule 2: Match the drawer to the part
| Parts | Drawer type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk bricks, plates, big slopes, wheels | Stackable 3-drawer towers | Sterilite wide/medium 3-drawer |
| Tiles, jumpers, clips, bars, minifig parts | Small-parts cabinet, 44–64 drawers | Akro-Mils 10164 / 10144 |
| Technic pins, axles, connectors by length | Small-parts cabinet or divided box | Stack-On DS-60 |
| Rare / set-specific / in-progress | Divided latch boxes | ArtBin / Plano |
Our Drawer Organizer Guide lists grid dimensions for each of these, with matching WhichDrawer layouts.
Rule 3: Sort in stages, not in one heroic weekend
Do a coarse sort first (bricks / plates / tiles / slopes / Technic / minifig / other) into open bins. Then take one coarse bin at a time and do the fine sort into drawers. Anyone — including a seven-year-old — can do the coarse sort, which makes it a family job rather than a parent's job.
Rule 4: Index the drawers, because there are a lot of them
A serious LEGO sort ends up with 100–300 drawers, and “which drawer has the 1×1 clips with the horizontal bar” is exactly the question a label can't answer. This is where a photo index earns its keep: photograph each drawer's contents from above, name the drawer with the part category (and part number if you use BrickLink or Rebrickable names), and search that instead of your memory.
Using WhichDrawer for LEGO
Create one organizer per tower or cabinet, draw the grid (a 3-drawer tower is 1×3; a 64-drawer cabinet is 8×8), photograph each drawer, and add the part categories as items. Later, hold a mystery part up to the camera and AI image search shows you the closest match and its drawer. Everyone in the household — including the kids — can search the same inventory. Free for one organizer.
Rule 5: Leave room to grow
Every LEGO collection grows. Leave 20–30% of drawers empty and keep a “to sort” bin next to the cabinet so new sets don't derail the system.
Frequently asked questions
Should I sort LEGO by colour or by piece?
By piece (part type and size). Split by colour only when one part type overflows a drawer.
What are the best drawers for LEGO storage?
Stackable Sterilite-style 3-drawer towers for bulk parts and a 44–64-drawer small-parts cabinet (Akro-Mils, Stack-On, IRIS) for tiny elements.
How do I keep track of what's in each LEGO drawer?
Label the front with the category, and keep a searchable photo index (an app or a shared photo album) that everyone in the family can use.