by Jen

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Let’s Talk Puzzle Accessories

Jigsaw puzzling offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, providing a tranquil space for focus and creativity to flourish.

Utilizing jigsaw puzzle accessories can significantly elevate your puzzling experience by providing essential tools for organization, comfort, and protection.

From puzzle boards and mats that create a stable workspace to sorters that keep pieces tidy and lights that enhance visibility, these accessories can transform your puzzling sessions into enjoyable and efficient endeavors.

Drawing from my own passion for puzzles, I’ve put together a list of must-have accessories that have transformed my puzzling experience.

Puzzle Boards & Mats
- Puzzle Mats
- Foam Core Boards
Puzzle Sorters
- Puzzle Trays
Lighting
- Table Lamp & Magnifier Duo
Puzzle Storage
- Modular Cubes
Quick Shopping Links

Puzzle Boards & Mats

A puzzle board or mat provides a dedicated and stable surface for your puzzle, preventing pieces from scattering and protecting your table from scratches.

Puzzle Mats

Puzzle mats allow you to roll up your puzzle to store elsewhere if you don’t have a dedicated puzzling space, or like to take your puzzle on the road.

You can also use a puzzle caddy that holds a set of trays, has a flat surface for your puzzle, and zips up for traveling.

Gibsons London Landmark Jigsaw Puzzle Black Foamcore Board

Foam Core Boards

I use a foam core board that measures 20″ x 30“. I have both white and black, though I find I use the white more often.

These boards allow me to easily move my puzzle without disturbing its progress.

I keep extras on hand (because cats!) and also having an extra board makes flipping a puzzle over super easy.

Puzzle Sorters

Sorters are essential tools for organizing puzzle pieces. They come in various forms like trays, boxes, and grids.

By sorting pieces based on color, shape, or pattern, they help streamline the puzzling process, making it easier to find the right piece and prevent lost or misplaced pieces.

Puzzle Trays

Before purchasing dedicated sorting trays, I used whatever dishes and containers I could find in a pinch.

I loved the look of them in photos, but they were impractical. They took up a lot of space and my cat liked nosing around in them.

Cobble Hill Dollies Jigsaw Puzzle Foamcore Board White

These 10″ x 7″ stackable art trays are perfectly sized for me.

I sort by colors into the trays and then work a tray at a time.

The small size is not big enough to have a single layer of pieces for a 1000 piece puzzle.

They come in larger sizes; 12″ x 9″ and 15″ x 10″.

Lighting

Proper lighting is crucial for accurate puzzle assembly. Adequate light helps you distinguish colors, shapes, and tiny details, preventing frustration and eye strain.

Investing in a good light source can significantly enhance your puzzling experience and increase your chances of completing the puzzle successfully.

Table Lamp & Magnifier Duo

I use the Brightech LightView Pro 2 in 1 Magnifying Floor Lamp & Table Lamp.

I have it configured as a table lamp. The base is a counterweight, and if used as a floor lamp it is 47″ tall.

My puzzling table is Walker Edison Mid Century dining table.

The light has 3 brightness settings at 900 lumens and is adjustable

This light is perfect for cloudy days and night time puzzling.

The lid of the lamp flips up to reveal a 6″ x 4.5″ 2.25X magnifier.

This is the second one I purchased – my husband snagged the first one for his miniature painting!

Puzzle Storage

Puzzle storage solutions vary widely, from simple zippered bags to elegant display cases. Consider factors like puzzle size, desired display, and available space when selecting the perfect storage option.

Modular Cubes

I used to use bookcases to store my puzzles, but it made my puzzle space feel closed in and oppressive.

I opted for this cube system with frosted sides that lets light in and makes the room feel brighter.

The exact one I have is no longer available, but this one is very similar and comes in different colors.

Incorporating the right accessories can transform your puzzling experience from enjoyable to extraordinary.

Quick Shopping Links

Here are some quick and easy links if you’re looking to purchase any of the accessories I use. These are affiliate links, you can learn more about them here.