CD DVD storage solutions

[KitchenColourandstyle]

We have about 500 CDs and a similar number of DVDs. We don't want to get rid of them completely but the storage towers they are currently in are going. I'm happy for the plastic cases to go but want the most space efficient way to keep the discs and the covers/ sleeve notes that will keep them searchable/ organised (so not just sling the whole lot in a big box). Does anyone have any ideas on the best way to keep them safe and tidy without them taking up half my dining room?

There is no solution, other than having shelves taking up an entire wall, then you end up like the guy in "High Fidelity" trying to work out if Taylor Swift should be filed under country or popular female vocal, and should Pink Floyd be contemporary rock or pretentious shite.

There must be a solution. I want stuff and space.

You could use those big cd books that have 4 pockets on each page. Then you could keep the CD in one and the cover/notes on the one next to it. I don't know what to suggest for DVDs thought because the booklets will be too big.

Copy them all onto a hard drive and link it to your tv with an app like jellyfin and then bin/donate all the dvds?

Nope, I can't hold a download in my hand and say ahh I bought this a 3am in a 24 hour record shop in Vegas when I won 54 dollars on slot machine, and this one I got in Paris when I was visiting Bob and this one was Dad's, it was in the box of stuff he left me because we used to listen to it in the car on the way to rugby together.
We have stuff digitally but these things I want to keep as things, not as files that could corrupt but as tangible markers of a life lead, a journey taken.

We just put ours in a regular billy bookcase. Can get a couple of rows in each shelf.

But then where would the books ago? There must be a away to store just the discs without the bulky covers.

How about something like this? I’m thinking about CD/DVD storage myself

https://www.amazon.co.uk/IPEB-Storage-Organiser-Zipper%EF%BC%88144-Pockets-Grey/dp/B0DFH6QZZ2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2YFTUICBTZYPM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9zDQyUqs013zg7kgPsTIky-s5v4gPUvMSJIfWGlvQ6M8Fs-M8RSKKDDLBTnDz71IbQfu9EQrnrTaKJl29ufAoueORckLziu1CPofqjqoMg1RtwSJyxp6B2bVcMbCFVwIQnxZUnz9M_jrxJ0a9wKYYsFrgmqbJ53VHpLiZ1sjbxPuGc9bDGSMS7EYtI8uHGCDBt8AVqUhYgfjMSV35Zs0c3nr6JW0RTihZfefpqeG9-c.ohpmWPnc8sAJ4WenMZ_HuOojCm6A8ceJ-hANCcX50GQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Cd%2Bstorage%2Bbag%2BIPEB&qid=1775815946&sprefix=cd%2Bstorage%2Bbag%2Bipeb%2Caps%2C279&sr=8-5&th=1

I am this guy. I love my physical media collect but it does take up a lot of room.

My preferred storage method is cube storage with a riser at the back so I can store DVDs 2 deep. Linking to Esty so show you roughly what I mean. IKEA Billy 35cm Bookcase Riser Shelf, Media Storage, MDF Organizer - Etsy UK

That's the sort of thing I'm after my searches just kept throwing up one that only hold about 50 discs max but the go up the 200 which is a much better size. I know There had to be an answer.

But that still each CD taking up about 5 times as much space as it needs to and DVDs more so. I want to eliminate the extraneous packaging.

Apologies I didn't read your post properly. I think lots of people go with sleeves which hold the artwork and disc. Takes up a lot less space. This sort of thing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/3L-Adhesive-Cover-Sleeve-Flap/dp/B006R9F2BU?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A29AV7N4XY0IID