Proper storage of film, paper, and chemistry

[Doc W]

I have read that it is not a good idea to store film or paper in the same space as chemistry. I have two spaces:

1) my darkroom which varies in temperature from about 12C /54F in the dead of winter to 22 / 72F at the peak of summer
2) my basement, which gets slightly warmer than the darkroom in the summer but goes down to only 20C / 68F) in the winter., not nearly as cold as the darkroom.

Currently, I store everything in the darkroom: film, paper, dry packaged chemistry, liquid chemistry, raw chemicals used to make developer etc. I have only a small fridge in the basement and the house is so old that I will not be able to get a larger fridge into it.

I am currently re-arranging the entire darkroom and everything in it. Now is the time to correct any problems, so what would be the best practice with regard to the storage of these materials?

 

[Kilgallb]

There was a thread some time ago stating never leave film or paper in the darkroom. The fumes from photo chemicals can fog film and paper. I recall selenium was especially bad.

 

[koraks]

I keep a wide range of chemistry in my darkroom as well as all my paper and film. Not a problem at all. However, I don't use polysulfide toner, the only toner known to me to release H2S, which indeed can severely fog film and paper (and it stinks, of course). I use a lot of selenium toner and it's not a problem.

 

[jimjm]

I keep standard B/W chemicals and various toners (not polysulfide) in the darkroom, along with boxes of paper I'm currently using, although not in close proximity to each other. Chemicals in cabinets closer to the floor and paper stored up higher, in case anything leaks.
Long-term paper storage is outside of the darkroom, and film in a refrigerator.
I would be more concerned with excessive humidity in the darkroom affecting the paper or film. Shouldn't be a problem if you have adequate ventilation.