Jigsaw puzzles are a calming, meditative activity that can keep you absorbed for hours. They are enjoyed by all kinds of people, from children to the elderly.

Putting a jigsaw out at a family gathering can help break the ice, and it gives shyer people a way of being involved without feeling too self-conscious. Jigsaws can be a sociable activity – but if you prefer to keep your puzzle to yourself, that is quite understandable!

What is the right size of jigsaw?

As befits a pastime that appeals to all ages, jigsaws come in all shapes and sizes. There are four-piece puzzles for toddlers, and 3,000-piece puzzles for the really patient and dedicated.

You can also get puzzles with larger pieces that will better suit people with impaired vision or who struggle with fine motor control.

When choosing a jigsaw puzzle, bear in mind the size of surface you have available. A jigsaw puzzle’s dimensions are usually printed on the box. A quick measure before you begin can save disappointment later on.

How long does it take to do a jigsaw puzzle?

Generally, a 500-piece puzzle will take several hours to complete. Any larger than that and you’ll want to set aside multiple sessions over several days.

Where should I do jigsaws?

Children’s jigsaws with large pieces can be completed on the floor. But jigsaws with smaller pieces will not hold together well on carpet. Also watch out for gaps between the floorboards: even larger puzzle pieces can fall between them. It’s better to work at your jigsaw on a hard surface, such as a table or a board.

A large jigsaw may take several days or weeks to complete. This is fine if you have a place where you can puzzle undisturbed – but if the only large table you have is also the table your family eats at, you may have a problem.

There are various ways to overcome this. One way is to use a board, which you can slide under the sofa or under your bed when you are not puzzling. Another way is to work on the table and then place a piece of board, card or Perspex over the puzzle and cover it with a table cloth. You can also get puzzle rolls, which allow you to roll up your puzzle and put it to one side in between sessions.

Making space for your dedicated jigsaw table

But if you’ve always got a puzzle on the go, consider whether you can make space for a jigsaw table. Any table will do, as long as it has a flat surface. There are even tables specifically designed for jigsaws with clever drawers in which you can store sorted pieces.

Take an honest look at your space to see if the furniture you have is still serving you well. Perhaps by getting rid of some unwanted possessions, or moving some items into storage, you could make room for a table where you can do puzzles.

What can I do with a completed jigsaw?

Jigsaws are made to come apart so they can be enjoyed again and again. A collection of jigsaw puzzles is a fun possession that can give a lot of pleasure – see our ideas for storing board games and puzzles.

Jigsaws in their boxes don’t take up too much room – but if your collection is very large or is starting to seem overwhelming, you might benefit from storing puzzles that you’ve completed recently out of sight, perhaps in your storage unit. Jigsaws and other games and puzzles will be covered by your self-storage insurance, for your peace of mind.

But what about puzzles that you haven’t enjoyed? There is a ready market for second-hand jigsaws (as long as they are complete). Charity shops will accept them as donations, and it’s fun to share jigsaws with friends, who may be delighted by a puzzle that you don’t love.

Some artists and crafters can make use of incomplete jigsaw puzzles – it can’t help to ask on a local giveaway board. But if your jigsaw really is at the end of its useful life, All Things Puzzles has an article about disposing of jigsaw puzzles.

How do I preserve my completed jigsaw puzzles?

Some puzzlers like to preserve their finished jigsaws by painting them with a product known as puzzle glue and then displaying them as pictures. This can be a good way of taking pride in your achievement.

Jigsaws will bring hours of enjoyment, and if you love puzzling, it’s definitely worth making it a priority in your living space.