If you think storing puzzles is mainly a matter of finding a shelf for the box until you put it together or after you take it apart, you may be surprised to learn that the true puzzle enthusiast takes great care in storing, caring for, and preserving puzzles.

Storing puzzles, especially while they're being worked on, is not as easy as you might think.

Let's consider one hypothetical situation. You're working on a large puzzle - 2 feet by 3 feet. You've cleared off the dining room table. The family is willing to work in the living room. Your puzzle is secure.

Except that you have a cat. Uh-oh. What happens when the cat jumps on the table and scatters the pieces? For many people, the puzzle must be thrown away, because they can never be sure they found all the pieces, and doing a puzzle with a missing piece is one of the great torments of puzzle enthusiasts.

How can you keep the cat from scattering the pieces? A roll-up or folding puzzle mat can help a great deal, because the puzzle can actually be "put away." Failing that, try working on a cloth or board with a texture, so the pieces do not slip as easily, and put something, like a cloth sheet, over the puzzle to keep the cat from getting curious and tasting it or playing with the pieces.

If you do not have a permanent place to leave your puzzle, try a folding puzzle board, if you can afford one, or a rollup mat, if cost is an issue. Do not, however, buy the cheapest rollup mat you can find, usually at a discount store. These cheap mats do not generally roll very well and may spill the puzzle you've been working so hard on.

When you do use a rolling or folding mat, be sure to keep the mat horizontal at all times so pieces do not fall out. If you have a shelf handy for storing the mat, that would be ideal.

What about storing puzzles that are still, or back, in their boxes?

Again, a flat shelf is best. Do not store puzzles on their sides; it's not good for the pieces. Store them in a cool, dark place to avoid warping and mildew. If the puzzle box has been opened, use painter's masking tape (the kind that's easily removed) to hold the box securely closed.

If you keep a lot of puzzles, organize them by brand, style, or designer to help you find the puzzle you're looking for when you're ready to work on it.

Finally, how do you store a preserved puzzle? Ideally, you would store it by framing it and hanging it on the wall. But if your preserved puzzle is not yet framed, the same rules apply as in storing boxed puzzles.

Store it flat. Even a glued puzzle will fall apart if stood on its edge, and it will warp very quickly. Also make sure you store a preserved puzzle in a very dry, cool place so it does not warp, as this is almost impossible to fix. Finally, if you have preserved your puzzle with glue, store it where animals, including that cat on the dining room table, can't reach it. For some reason, animals love glue. You don't want all your hard work eaten!

Storing puzzles may be a little more complicated than you expected, but doing it right will reap great rewards in continued enjoyment.