How to Store Puzzles in Progress

There’s nothing worse than making great progress on a puzzle—only to come back later and find it flipped, crumpled, or raided by a curious pet. And as someone with two cats, let me tell you: I’ve had more than one puzzle piece end up on the floor—or mysteriously show up in their food dish (no idea how that seemed like a good snack).

So if you need a break mid-puzzle and want to keep your saved puzzles safe from paws, spills, or everyday life, here are my favorite ways to store puzzles in progress.

Use a Puzzle Board or Sorting Tray

This is one of my go-to solutions. Puzzle boards like the MasterPiece Puzzle Board give you a sturdy surface for building, plus they’re easy to slide under a bed or couch when you need your table back. Some boards come with protective cover which is really helpful.

If you're using sorting trays, like the Ravensburger Sort & Go Trays, stack them neatly. This keeps your pieces tidy and easy to store.

Try a Puzzle Mat or Roll-Up

Puzzle roll-up mats, like the Buffalo Games Puzzle Roll-Up, are great if you need to move your puzzle or store it out of the way temporarily. Just roll it up gently, secure it with the included straps, and stash it somewhere safe. It’s not quite as stable as a board, but it does the job—and it’s great for traveling with saved puzzles.

Tip: Gently press down on the puzzle before rolling to keep everything in place.

Portable Puzzle Cases

Cases like the JUMBO Porta Puzzle or zippered puzzle portfolios are ideal if you puzzle in shared spaces. These usually come with felt surfaces, foam inserts, or magnetic closures to keep everything snug—even if a curious cat decides to investigate. This system is easy to maneuver and you can store the puzzle under furniture or in a corner of the room.

My Favorite DIY Option: Foam Board

If you want something affordable and flexible, I highly recommend using foam board. I use it all the time—it's flat, inexpensive, and lightweight. Even better, you can sandwich your puzzle between two foam boards to keep it fully protected. This works especially well for storing saved puzzles in progress overnight or when moving them between rooms.

Bonus tip: You can find foam boards at craft stores or office supply shops, and trim them to size if needed.

In Summary

If you're wondering how to store puzzles in progress, the goal is simple: keep it flat, protected, and cat-proof (ask me how I know). Whether you use a puzzle board, foam board, or a trusty DIY setup, saving your puzzle between sessions helps preserve the fun without the frustration of missing pieces.

Because let's face it—there’s nothing quite like finishing a puzzle… only to realize one piece is suspiciously shaped like kibble.