Which LPs are worth hanging up?

Your hanging system is up. The wall is ready. And then comes the real question: which records or sleeves are you actually going to hang in it?

Because an LP sleeve on the wall is more than decoration. It's a statement. You consciously choose what visitors see when they enter. What hangs above your sofa. What first catches the eye when you walk into the room. Then you want to be sure that the sleeve is worth it. Need more setup inspiration? Also check out our vinyl holder inspiration for every room in your home.

The sleeve is half the record

That might sound exaggerated, but ask anyone who has ever seen a Pink Floyd sleeve hanging up. Or a Miles Davis. Or an early Bowie. There are LP sleeves that blow you away at first sight, even before the needle touches the groove. Curious which records definitely belong in your collection? Check out our list of the 25 best albums you must have on vinyl.

That's no coincidence. Great artists collaborated with great designers. Sleeves were made to be seen, not to disappear into a cabinet. And now, with vinyl becoming commonplace again, there's finally a way to let them do that. But the sleeve has to look good. And that's harder than it sounds.

Not every sleeve is suitable for the wall

A second-hand record with a yellowed sleeve, tears, or stains, you don't hang that up. Or rather: you don't want to hang that up. The condition of the sleeve determines whether a record truly comes into its own on the wall. Are you unsure how to maintain the condition of your records? Then also check out our 10 tips for maintaining your vinyl records.

Three things that make a difference:

Use of color. Strong sleeves work with contrast or with very deliberate colors. A white wall calls for a sleeve with character. A dark wall wants light and depth.

Typography. Some sleeves are already works of art due to the way the artist's name is set. You only really see that when the sleeve is no longer in a crate but at eye level on the wall.

Condition. Creases, stains, or a damaged spine are doubly noticeable when the sleeve is lit or hanging on a white wall. For the wall, you want at least VG+, preferably better.

Specially selected for the sleeve

At Vinyl24 in Utrecht, they select records not only for their musical value but also for the quality of the sleeve. They understand that an LP is two things: something to play and something to look at. The records you find there are strong on both fronts.

Want to make room for new acquisitions? Vinyl24 also buys records. If you have old LP records to sell and want to know what they're worth first, on that page you can read exactly how the value of an old record is assessed.

Whether you're looking for an iconic jazz sleeve for above the sofa, a 70s classic for the study, or simply something that immediately catches the eye when people walk in, the offering focuses on quality, not quantity.

The combination that works

A good hanging system gives every record the space it deserves. But the record itself must also be able to fill that space.

If you hang a sleeve with real visual power, the wall is suddenly more than just a wall. Then it's a collection. A statement of taste. Something that people ask about.

So make sure the system is right and that the sleeve is worth it. Both halves count.

Looking for LPs with sleeves that truly deserve to be on the wall? Then visit the Vinyl24 record store in Utrecht.