Cd storage..what's an audiophile to do?

Personally, I folded on trying to keep all of the jewel cases and got a number of those Case Logic folder style deals (the big ones, holding around 280 CD's each). Unfortunately, I just didn't have the room too keep all the boxes and had been anguishing over how to store all of the CDs. It finally pushed me over the edge when (in addition to the fact that the CD's were literally taking over my appartment) I was hanging out with a bunch of jazz musicians over the course of a 36-hour barbeque memorial day weekend and they all seemed to come equipped with their own folder of 200+ CDs to share. Call me crazy, but I was converted. However, I still do have 2-3 big old shopping bags filled with now-empty jewel boxes. I suppose my conversion isn't official until I decide what to do with them...

Mezmo, I support you in making the transition. To help you make it official, I'll take a bunch of them off your hands, paying all costs. I am hard on jewel cases.

Mezmo: I have been looking for a way to store CD's that will be burned from our old cassette collection (and isolate them from the rest of the CD's as well). I assume that these things look like books and can be placed on a bookshelf and will look into them. I don't plan on keeping the cassettes, so will have to make backup copies of the rare, popular (to us) and out of print ones and could use a smaller book to store these.

Didn't have room for hundreds of jewel cases, the patience for unsuccessfully keeping them organized and the frustration of seemingly never being able to find a desired disc. Eventually put all the CDs in quality binders and threw the jewel cases out. Upsides are much recovered space and having every disc at my fingertips. I keep them organized by band/artist's name and satisfying musical whims is so much easier than before. The biggest downside is accessing the liner notes. Right now they're in a box, but will be put in another set of binders when there's space in the schedule. I also refrain from taking the binders in the car, such as on long trips. This keeps dirt and grit out of the sleeves which have put minor scratches on a couple of discs. Haven't found a good solution for that yet.

They have some very nice free standing (floor) CD shelf units at IKEA if there is one in your area. Or get their catalog.