After three decades of building with LEGO and a collection that’s grown to fill an entire room of my house, I still remember the excitement—and confusion—of my early building days.
Whether you’re just discovering the joy of LEGO as an adult or helping a young builder get started, certain questions come up again and again.
Let me share what I’ve learned over years of building everything from modest modular buildings to sprawling city displays.
1. How Do I Organize My LEGO Collection?
This is the question I get asked most often, and for good reason. A disorganized collection turns building from joy into frustration.
In my early years, I kept everything jumbled in large bins. Big mistake. Now I sort primarily by part type rather than color. All my bricks in one drawer section, plates in another, slopes together, and so on. Within those categories, I’ll subdivide by size. Special pieces like hinges, clips, and technic connectors get their own dedicated spaces.
For smaller pieces, I use tackle boxes and drawer organizers from hardware stores. They’re cheaper than LEGO-branded storage and often better designed. I only sort by color for pieces I use frequently in large quantities, like basic bricks and plates in common colors.
The key insight: you’re not building a museum display with your storage. You’re building a workshop. Optimize for finding pieces quickly while building, not for how pretty it looks. For more detailed guidance on organizing and caring for your collection, check out my article on collecting Legos.
2. Should I Follow Instructions or Build Freely?
Both approaches have merit, and the best builders do both.
Following instructions teaches techniques you might never discover on your own. I’ve learned incredible building tricks from official sets—everything from SNOT (Studs Not On Top) techniques to clever ways of creating angles. Each set is essentially a masterclass from professional LEGO designers.
Free building, on the other hand, develops your spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills. It’s where you truly make LEGO your own creative medium.
My recommendation: alternate between the two. Build a few sets to absorb new techniques, then apply those techniques in your own creations. This cycle of learning and applying has been the foundation of my growth as a builder.
3. What Sets Should I Buy as a Beginner?
Start with sets that genuinely interest you. Passion for the subject matter will carry you through challenging builds and make the experience more rewarding.
That said, some themes are particularly beginner-friendly. The Creator 3-in-1 sets offer excellent value and teach versatile building techniques. LEGO City sets typically have clear, straightforward builds. For adults, the Architecture series provides satisfying builds without overwhelming complexity.
Don’t feel pressured to start small. If you’re excited about a larger set and can afford it, go for it. Just be prepared for a longer building session. Some of my most memorable early builds were ambitious sets that taught me persistence.
One warning: avoid starting with Technic sets if you’re primarily interested in traditional building. Technic is essentially a different system focused on mechanical functions rather than creative construction.
4. How Do I Make My Builds More Stable?
Stability comes from understanding how LEGO pieces connect and distributing stress properly.
The golden rule: offset your bricks. Just like bricklayers don’t stack bricks directly on top of each other, LEGO builds gain strength when pieces overlap across the seams below them. A single plate spanning two bricks connects them far better than two plates sitting side by side.
For tall builds, I create internal support structures. Think of it like the steel frame of a skyscraper—the pretty exterior pieces attach to a strong, often hidden, core structure. Plates are particularly useful for this, as they can tie multiple brick layers together.
Large plates are your friends for bases. A 16×16 or 32×32 baseplate provides a rock-solid foundation. For very heavy builds, I’ll use multiple baseplates connected underneath with additional plates for extra rigidity.
5. Where Can I Buy Individual LEGO Pieces?
LEGO’s official Pick-a-Brick service, both online and in LEGO stores, is reliable but limited in selection. For broader selection, BrickLink is the gold standard. This marketplace connects you with thousands of sellers worldwide. The interface takes some getting used to, but it’s invaluable for finding specific pieces or buying in bulk.
BrickOwl is a newer alternative with a cleaner interface. For bulk pieces in common colors, check out sites like BricksAndPieces or even eBay, where you can sometimes find good deals on bulk lots.
A word of caution: ensure you’re buying genuine LEGO. Some third-party sellers mix in clone bricks, which have different clutch power (how tightly they grip) and durability. Genuine LEGO maintains consistent quality that clone brands simply don’t match.
6. What Are the Essential Building Techniques I Should Learn?
Master these fundamentals, and you’ll open up exponential creative possibilities.
SNOT (Studs Not On Top) is transformative. This technique involves turning pieces sideways or upside down, allowing you to create smooth surfaces and build in multiple directions. Bracket pieces, headlight bricks, and the simple 1×1 brick with studs on the side are your entry points into SNOT building.
Learn to create angles. LEGO is designed for 90-degree connections, but hinge pieces, clips, and clever stacking can create virtually any angle. This is crucial for organic shapes, vehicles, and architectural details.
Greebling—adding small detailed textures—brings builds to life. Study official Star Wars or Architecture sets to see how pros add visual interest with tiny pieces: grilles, tiles, cheese slopes, and other small elements that catch the eye.
Finally, understand color blocking. Strategic use of color draws the eye where you want it and creates visual hierarchy in your builds.
7. How Do I Deal with Missing or Wrong Pieces?
First, check the instruction manual carefully. Sometimes pieces appear earlier in the build and you’ll need to backtrack. Also, verify you’re looking at the correct bag number—modern sets organize pieces into numbered bags that correspond to building stages.
If a piece is genuinely missing, LEGO’s customer service is exceptional. Visit their website and submit a missing piece request. They’ll send replacements for free, though shipping takes time. Meanwhile, check your collection for substitute pieces that can work temporarily.
Wrong pieces in sets are rare but happen. The same customer service process handles this. In my three decades of building, I’ve had perhaps five instances of genuinely incorrect pieces in new sets—LEGO’s quality control is remarkably good.
8. Should I Glue My LEGO Creations?
In general, no. The beauty of LEGO is its reversibility and reusability. Gluing defeats this fundamental feature.
However, I understand the temptation. For display pieces you’ll never disassemble, or builds that will be handled roughly, a small amount of glue on key connection points can provide peace of mind. If you do this, use plastic cement specifically designed for models, and use it sparingly. Be aware that you’re essentially retiring those pieces from your collection.
Before gluing, exhaust other options: improve your building technique for better stability, create a dedicated display space away from disturbances, or use museum putty on the base to secure it to a shelf.
I’ve never glued a build. With proper technique, you can create remarkably stable structures that remain fully reconfigurable.
9. How Do I Clean LEGO Bricks?
Dusty LEGO is inevitable with display pieces, and used LEGO often needs cleaning before integration into your collection.
For light dust, a soft paintbrush or microfiber cloth works perfectly. For deeper cleaning, hand-wash in warm (never hot) water with mild dish soap. Place pieces in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase, seal it, and swish them around in a basin or sink. Rinse thoroughly and lay them out on towels to air dry completely—this can take 24-48 hours for pieces with enclosed spaces.
Never use a washing machine or dishwasher. The heat can warp pieces, and the mechanical action is too aggressive. Never use harsh chemicals or solvents, which can damage the plastic or fade colors.
For yellowed white or light gray pieces (a common issue with older LEGO), gentle hydrogen peroxide treatment can help, but research this carefully before attempting it—it’s a more advanced restoration technique.
10. How Can I Display My LEGO Builds?
Display considerations should influence your building approach. I’ve learned this through years of trial and error.
For shelving, ensure adequate depth—many LEGO sets are deeper than standard shelves. I use IKEA Kallax units, which have become standard among collectors for good reason: the cube format perfectly accommodates most builds while providing dust protection on three sides.
Dust is your enemy for long-term displays. Glass display cases are ideal but expensive. Acrylic display cases offer a cheaper alternative. For open shelving, accept that you’ll need to dust regularly or be comfortable with a more “lived-in” look.
Lighting transforms displays. Inexpensive LED strip lights or puck lights make colors pop and add drama. For special builds, consider a small spotlight.
If you’re short on display space, embrace rotation. I keep about a third of my collection on display and rotate pieces seasonally or when I acquire something new. This keeps displays fresh and gives each creation its moment in the spotlight.
Connecting with the LEGO Community
One of the most rewarding aspects of being an AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO) is connecting with other enthusiasts. BrickLink, with over 800,000 registered fans, offers not just a marketplace but forums and community resources. Consider attending events like the Brick Rodeo LEGO Fan Exhibition or local LUG (LEGO User Group) meetings to meet fellow builders, share techniques, and get inspired by others’ creations.
Final Thoughts
The most important thing I’ve learned in my decades with LEGO is this: there’s no wrong way to enjoy this hobby. Whether you’re a strict instructions-follower or a pure free-builder, whether you collect sealed sets or buy bulk bricks for MOCs (My Own Creations), whether you display everything or keep it all stored away—if you’re having fun, you’re doing it right.
Start simple, be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Every master builder started exactly where you are now, holding a pile of bricks and wondering what’s possible. The answer is: almost anything.
Just as I find peace and focus in caring for my koi pond, LEGO building offers that same meditative quality—a creative escape from the everyday demands of business and life. It’s a hobby that keeps your mind sharp while letting your imagination soar.
Happy building!
ABOUT SAVAGE
Michael Savage of New Canaan, CT is the Founder of 1-800Accountant that helps businesses with their accounting services and needs through cutting-edge technology and customer support.