Shelf Life: Putting Your Treasures on Show
These top-shelf ideas are as interesting as some of the collections they display
Melissa Cowan
14 November 2016
Lover of boho, Scandi and mid-century style. Got a project you think I might like? Get in touch!
Lover of boho, Scandi and mid-century style. Got a project you think I might like?... More
The awesome thing about collecting is that it isn’t something you need to do – it’s done purely for enjoyment. Whether you collect records, dolls, magnets, books or something more quirky, a great deal of joy can arise from the art of collecting. Also, there’s nothing like the thrill of the chase and the excitement of finding just the right thing to complete a collection. Plus, the whole process is fascinating – it requires sourcing, seeking, organising, cataloguing and, finally, displaying.
If you have a collection at home that’s gathering dust, it’s time to show it off to the world. Not only does your collection become a feature of the room, it’s in clear view for you to admire all day long. And there’s no need to be limited to display cabinets any longer; draw inspiration from these good-looking display walls where collections are proudly placed on dedicated shelves.
If you have a collection at home that’s gathering dust, it’s time to show it off to the world. Not only does your collection become a feature of the room, it’s in clear view for you to admire all day long. And there’s no need to be limited to display cabinets any longer; draw inspiration from these good-looking display walls where collections are proudly placed on dedicated shelves.
Spread out
You can quite easily avoid your collection looking cluttered. Spreading out individual shelves gives each item its own space to shine without having to compete with all the other things in a collection. Try spacing the shelves out unevenly to prevent the whole display from looking too orderly. Here, the combination of two different shelf colours gives the space an artful feel.
You can quite easily avoid your collection looking cluttered. Spreading out individual shelves gives each item its own space to shine without having to compete with all the other things in a collection. Try spacing the shelves out unevenly to prevent the whole display from looking too orderly. Here, the combination of two different shelf colours gives the space an artful feel.
Colour coordinate
One way to categorise your collection is by colour coordinating. This works particularly well for books, but could also work for any items that come in block colours. When colour coding your bookshelf, make a separate pile for each colour before lining them up on the shelf. Also, don’t stack the books too tightly – leave room for any future purchases.
One way to categorise your collection is by colour coordinating. This works particularly well for books, but could also work for any items that come in block colours. When colour coding your bookshelf, make a separate pile for each colour before lining them up on the shelf. Also, don’t stack the books too tightly – leave room for any future purchases.
Creative piping
Why limit yourself to standard shelving? To create an industrial look, attach metal piping to the wall (which will most likely require a professional). This will work best for displaying solid items, like books, as smaller ones could slip off the pipes.
11 look-at-me ways to show off your collectables
Why limit yourself to standard shelving? To create an industrial look, attach metal piping to the wall (which will most likely require a professional). This will work best for displaying solid items, like books, as smaller ones could slip off the pipes.
11 look-at-me ways to show off your collectables
Open shelves
Open shelves are a practical and effective way of displaying almost anything, including these rustic knick-knacks. Take care to measure the depth of the shelves so your items fit easily. This works well for entryways or any spare walls.
Open shelves are a practical and effective way of displaying almost anything, including these rustic knick-knacks. Take care to measure the depth of the shelves so your items fit easily. This works well for entryways or any spare walls.
Provide contrast
Having a dark display wall will create a good contrast with brighter collector’s items. Try grouping similar colours together, like the earthy and red tones seen here.
The art of gathering
Having a dark display wall will create a good contrast with brighter collector’s items. Try grouping similar colours together, like the earthy and red tones seen here.
The art of gathering
Above the bed
If your collection is precious to you, where better to honour it than above your bed? Thought will need to go into the spacing of objects to stop it from feeling overwhelming in the room. You want to give your prized possessions, such as the little birdies seen here, some room to fly!
If your collection is precious to you, where better to honour it than above your bed? Thought will need to go into the spacing of objects to stop it from feeling overwhelming in the room. You want to give your prized possessions, such as the little birdies seen here, some room to fly!
Full wall shelves
Doesn’t this wall of shells take you straight back to swimming at the beach in your childhood? I have vivid memories of collecting shells from the seashore and bringing them back to my parents to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ over. Having a collection in the bathroom is an unusual and creative way of displaying this aquatic assemblage. The shells and starfish against the fresh blue backdrop create the perfect coastal feel.
Doesn’t this wall of shells take you straight back to swimming at the beach in your childhood? I have vivid memories of collecting shells from the seashore and bringing them back to my parents to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ over. Having a collection in the bathroom is an unusual and creative way of displaying this aquatic assemblage. The shells and starfish against the fresh blue backdrop create the perfect coastal feel.
White out
Keeping the wall and the display shelves all white allows your collection to really stand out. This display wall is a part of a showroom – a beautiful way to display treasured art. Even your pup will get a kick out of an exhibit like this.
Keeping the wall and the display shelves all white allows your collection to really stand out. This display wall is a part of a showroom – a beautiful way to display treasured art. Even your pup will get a kick out of an exhibit like this.
The right size
Collections of smaller items can get lost on big shelves, so consider putting up a sectioned case to provide each little trinket with a home. The collection pictured here is an array of tchotchke-like raisin packages and mini beer bottles set into a wall-hung wooden printer’s tray. This way of displaying breathes new life into old objects.
Collections of smaller items can get lost on big shelves, so consider putting up a sectioned case to provide each little trinket with a home. The collection pictured here is an array of tchotchke-like raisin packages and mini beer bottles set into a wall-hung wooden printer’s tray. This way of displaying breathes new life into old objects.
Individual shelves
These shelves that individually house each figurine are super cute and let each item shine on its own, yet the limited-edition designer toys create a magical world when they’re able to all live together on this wall.
Weird but wonderful display walls
These shelves that individually house each figurine are super cute and let each item shine on its own, yet the limited-edition designer toys create a magical world when they’re able to all live together on this wall.
Weird but wonderful display walls
Book shelf display
Full-wall bookshelves can make excellent display walls. Having the book standing on its end with the book cover facing outward makes each book seem like an artwork.
Full-wall bookshelves can make excellent display walls. Having the book standing on its end with the book cover facing outward makes each book seem like an artwork.
Shoes on show
Does a shoe collection count? We say yes! Good shoes can be works of art, and if you don’t get as much wear out of them as you’d like, you may as well put them to good visual use. Alternate pairs between facing forward and sideways (as pictured) to add height variation. This doubles as an effective storage solution too.
TELL US
Are you a collector? What do you collect? Upload a picture of your collection or tell us about it in the Comments section.
MORE
Explore some beautifully eclectic spaces
Does a shoe collection count? We say yes! Good shoes can be works of art, and if you don’t get as much wear out of them as you’d like, you may as well put them to good visual use. Alternate pairs between facing forward and sideways (as pictured) to add height variation. This doubles as an effective storage solution too.
TELL US
Are you a collector? What do you collect? Upload a picture of your collection or tell us about it in the Comments section.
MORE
Explore some beautifully eclectic spaces
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Thanks for these ideas-- I like the focus on contrast and color. I'm digitally cataloging my collections with the CatalogIt app but have been looking for a way to display them physically and tastefully without taking up a lot of space.