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How to store framed art at home: three guides compared
Three storage guides agree on standing framed art upright with padding between pieces and away from damp, but differ on walls: Public Storage says an interior wall, Fine Art Shippers says keep art away from walls. ICON adds that unframed paper works lie flat and avoid damp cellars and uninsulated attics.
Upright storage with padding between pieces, the common point of the three guides. Schematic.
Where the three guides agree and differ
| Point | ICON (art on paper) | Public Storage (picture frames) | Fine Art Shippers (framed art at home) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Unframed works flat in a plan chest or purpose-built case; boxes and folders lie horizontally | Frames upright in boxes or against a stable interior wall; not stacked flat in tall piles | Vertical in boxes or crates, on their edges; do not stack framed pieces |
| Between pieces | Wrap or interleave small items in translucent acid-free tissue; ordinary plastic sleeves are unsuitable | Cardboard or foam between each frame; extra cushioning at glass corners and edges | Soft materials for cushioning to protect glass from scratches |
| Wrapping | Acid-free tissue | Clean packing paper or bubble wrap; no tape directly on the frame; no newspaper because its ink can transfer | Breathable wraps that let air move, which helps prevent condensation and mould |
| Where | Avoid damp cellars and uninsulated attics | Raised shelf, away from the main walkway; nothing heavy on top | Away from walls and off the floor, as these surfaces can absorb moisture |
| Checks | Check stored items regularly | No fixed schedule; check when redecorating, moving or rotating | Not covered |
The disagreement on walls is real: Public Storage allows a stable interior wall to lean against, Fine Art Shippers warns that walls can absorb moisture. A safe reading is to use an inside wall, keep a gap and a layer of padding, and avoid outside walls, which ICON also links to condensation when it discusses display. ICON writes about art on paper and the other two about framed pieces, so none of them covers a rolled canvas; the studio sells unframed rolled canvas, and for that you would need guidance from a conservator or the maker.
Box size for each framed size
Inner box = piece + 2 inches of padding on each side, a figure we chose; the sources give no number. Pieces are stored on edge, so the box thickness (frame depth plus padding) is what sets how many fit side by side. Frame depth is not on the rate card, so add the depth and padding yourself.
| Piece (in) | Inner box width x height (in) | Inner box (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 x 10 | 12 x 14 | 30.5 x 35.6 |
| 12 x 18 | 16 x 22 | 40.6 x 55.9 |
| 16 x 20 | 20 x 24 | 50.8 x 61 |
| 18 x 24 | 22 x 28 | 55.9 x 71.1 |
| 20 x 30 | 24 x 34 | 61 x 86.4 |
| 24 x 36 | 28 x 40 | 71.1 x 101.6 |
| 30 x 40 | 34 x 44 | 86.4 x 111.8 |
| 36 x 48 | 40 x 52 | 101.6 x 132.1 |
A short plan for a few months in storage
- Choose a dry inside room; not a cellar, attic, garage or outside wall.
- Wrap each piece in clean paper first, then bubble wrap; keep newspaper away.
- Stand pieces upright on edge with padding between them, on a shelf or board off the floor.
- Put corner protectors on glass-front pieces.
- Check the wrapping and glass each time you move or redecorate, and every few months if the pieces stay put.
- Rehang when you can: storage is for gaps, not for years.
Sources
- ICON (Institute of Conservation): art on paper, caring for your treasures (conservation body) (fetched 2026-11-13)
- Public Storage: how do you store picture frames (storage company blog) (fetched 2026-11-13)
- Fine Art Shippers: how to pack framed art for storage at home (shipper guide) (fetched 2026-11-13)
Each page was fetched and read on 2026-11-13; statements are paraphrased and attributed to the source that makes them. The box-size column and the plan are ours, built from points the sources share.
Related pages
- Pack and transport framed art
- Care for framed prints and canvas
- Protect prints from humidity and sun
- Remove an old frame and fill the holes
- Hanging and display guides
Questions people ask
Should framed art be stored flat or upright?
Public Storage and Fine Art Shippers both say upright, on edge, not stacked. ICON's flat storage advice is for unframed works on paper.
Can I lean framed art against a wall?
The sources differ: Public Storage allows a stable interior wall, Fine Art Shippers says walls can absorb moisture and to keep art away from them. Use padding and an inside wall if you must.
What should I wrap framed art in?
Clean packing paper or bubble wrap, per Public Storage; breathable wraps per Fine Art Shippers; acid-free tissue for works on paper per ICON. Avoid newspaper, because its ink can transfer.