If you’re managing a museum collection, running a gallery, or safeguarding a private art collection, you’ll know that storing artwork isn’t just about cramming pieces into whatever space you’ve got. It’s about preservation, protection, and practical access: all at the same time. The wrong storage solution can lead to damaged frames, warped canvases, or hours wasted hunting for a single piece buried at the back of a stack.

The good news? There are three main types of art storage systems that professionals rely on: pull-out racking, lateral racking, and “toast rack” systems. Each has its place depending on your space, collection size, and how often you need to access your pieces. Let’s demystify what they are, how they work, and when you’d choose one over the other.

Pull-Out Art Racking: Maximum Density, Minimum Fuss

Pull-out art racking is the heavyweight champion when it comes to maximising storage density. These systems feature large, mesh-panelled frames that slide outward from a fixed structure, giving you full visibility of what’s stored without having to lift, shift, or remove anything.

How It Works

Think of pull-out racking as a giant filing cabinet for artwork. Each panel is mounted on either ceiling tracks or floor runners, allowing it to glide smoothly outward. The mesh construction means air can circulate around the pieces, and you can see exactly what’s on each panel without pulling everything out. It’s a game-changer for curators who need to quickly locate specific works in a dense collection.

When to use pull-out systems:

• You’ve got a large collection of framed paintings, prints, or canvases
• Your space can accommodate the “pull-out” clearance (you’ll need room in front of the unit)
• You’re prioritising density: these systems can store hundreds of pieces in a relatively compact footprint
• You want to minimise handling and reduce the risk of damage

Pull-out racking is particularly popular in museum storage facilities and archive rooms where collections are accessed regularly but not constantly. It strikes the perfect balance between space efficiency and ease of access.

Lateral Art Racking: Smart Storage For Tight Spaces

If your art storage area is more corridor than warehouse, lateral art racking might be your best bet. Instead of pulling panels straight out toward you, lateral systems slide side-to-side along floor tracks, much like a sliding wardrobe door.

Why Lateral Makes Sense

The beauty of lateral racking is that it needs far less clearance space. You’re not pulling heavy mesh panels several feet into the room: you’re simply sliding them along the track to reveal the next section. This makes lateral systems ideal for narrow galleries, basement storage areas, or retrofitted spaces where every square metre counts.

Key benefits:

• Compact footprint: only requires one moveable access aisle
• Perfect for long, narrow art storage rooms
• Still offers double-sided storage capacity
• Easier to install in existing buildings without major structural changes

“Toast Rack” Systems: Simple, Effective, Cost-Efficient

Now, let’s talk about the wonderfully named “toast rack” art storage system. If you’ve ever seen a toast rack on a breakfast table: where slices stand upright between vertical dividers: you’ll immediately understand how this art storage system works.

The Vertical Advantage

Toast rack storage consists of a series of vertical dividers set at regular intervals along a frame. Framed artworks, mirrors, or boards slot between the dividers and stand upright, just like slices of toast. It’s brilliantly simple, incredibly sturdy, and far more affordable than complex sliding systems.

When toast rack systems shine:

• You’re storing frequently accessed pieces that need to be moved in and out regularly
• Your collection includes framed works, mirrors, or boards of similar sizes
• You want a straightforward, no-moving-parts solution
• Budget is a consideration (toast racks are generally the most cost-effective option)
• You’re a private collector or smaller gallery with a manageable collection size

Toast racks are also fantastic for workshops, framing studios, or educational institutions where artworks are constantly being taken out for display, teaching, or client viewing. There’s no sliding mechanism to maintain, no tracks to keep clean: just solid, dependable dividers that keep everything organised and upright.

Protection Benefits: Why These Systems Matter

Here’s the thing about art storage: every time you handle a piece, you’re risking damage. Fingerprints, accidental knocks, dragging frames across surfaces: it all adds up. Purpose-built art storage systems minimise these risks in several key ways.

Reduced Physical Handling

With pull-out and lateral systems, you can view and locate pieces without removing them. The mesh panels let you see what’s stored, and you only pull out what you need. This drastically reduces unnecessary handling and the associated wear and tear.

Better Airflow

Art needs to breathe. Storing pieces flat against walls or stacked tightly together creates humid microclimates where mould and mildew can flourish. The mesh construction of pull-out and lateral racks, and the vertical spacing in toast rack systems, ensures air circulates freely around each piece. This is particularly important in older buildings or basement art storage areas where ventilation can be poor.

Keeping Artwork Off The Floor

Water damage from leaks or floods can devastate a collection stored at ground level. All three systems we’ve discussed elevate artwork off the floor, providing that crucial buffer zone. Even a small leak becomes far less catastrophic when your pieces are stored on raised frames or dividers.

Organised, Damage-Free Storage

There’s also something to be said for simple organisation. When pieces have a designated spot and aren’t leaning haphazardly against each other, the risk of scratches, dents, and frame damage drops dramatically. You’re creating a controlled environment where each piece has space and support.

The Rackline Approach: Built For Preservation

At Rackline, we understand that storing artwork isn’t just about racking: it’s about creating the right environment for long-term preservation. That’s why we design and manufacture all our art storage systems at our facility in Stoke-on-Trent, giving us complete control over materials, finishes, and bespoke sizing.

Why Our Manufacturing Matters

When you’re storing valuable or irreplaceable artwork, the art storage system itself can’t introduce new risks. That’s why we use powder-coated steel finishes that produce zero chemical off-gassing. Traditional paint finishes can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that damage artwork over time: particularly works on paper or delicate textiles. Our powder coating eliminates that concern entirely.

We also offer completely bespoke sizing. Museum collections rarely come in standard dimensions, and your Edwardian-era building probably doesn’t have perfectly square rooms. We can design pull-out panels, lateral systems, or toast racks to fit your exact space and accommodate your specific collection dimensions. Whether you need extra-deep panels for thick frames or compact lateral units for a narrow archive room, we’ll make it work.

Talk To Us About Your Collection

If you’re at the stage of planning a new storage solution or rethinking what you’ve currently got, have a chat with our team. We can talk through your space, collection size, access needs, and budget to recommend the right art storage system. Sometimes it’s a combination approach: toast racks for frequently accessed works and lateral racking for the deeper archive collection.

You can explore more about our range here, or to talk to a human drop us a message to: info@rackline.co.uk, call us on : 01782 770144  or fill in the form at the bottom of this page. We’re always happy to share advice or arrange a site visit to assess your space.

The bottom line? Pull-out racking offers maximum density and full visibility. Lateral systems work brilliantly in tight spaces. Toast rack art storage keeps things simple, accessible, and cost-effective. All three protect your collection far better than leaning frames against walls or stacking them in corners.

Choose the system that matches your space and collection needs: and if you’re not sure, that’s exactly what we’re here to help with.