Almost everyone has a collection of some sort. It may be snow globes, glass animals, seashells or vintage dolls. Whatever yours is, you enjoy it, and you’d like others to enjoy it as well. That means putting it out on display.

You’d like your display to be attractive, orderly and show off your precious assortment in its most favorable light. Here are some tips on how to do just that.

Birds of a Feather ...

We’ve all heard this old saying, and it’s good advice for displaying your collectibles to their greatest advantage. You should consider grouping your collection together even if it isn’t made up of birds.

Say you have a love of, for example, giraffes. If you have a miniature giraffe here and another one there at random spots around the home, they’re not the eye magnet they’ll become when you display them together. When they’re all on one shelf, we start to see all the subtle differences between them. One has a slenderer neck, and another more vibrant spots and yet another is a calf with uncertain legs. The differences and similarities are celebrated within the whole group.

Other Ways to Group Collections

With other types of collections, such as glass bottles or small assorted statues, another way to group them is by color. A single color brings unity to a set of collectibles while still highlighting diversities such as shape and size.

You can also arrange assortments by theme or by trait. For instance, you could use geometric pattern, putting angular objects on a separate shelf from rounded ones.

In the end, though, it’s your collection, and you can arrange it any way that suits your fancy. Sometimes it creates extra interest to intermix two types of collectibles such as crafted sculpture with natural seashells or intriguing small rocks.

Choose the Right Backdrop

You can arrange collectibles on any flat surface, but don’t your favorite objects deserve an attractive background? The right display cases for collectibles express your love for your collection and also draws the attention of your visitors.

• China cabinets can hold more than just dinnerware. You might devote all or part of a shelf to your masterpieces. The glass doors, fancy trim and rich wood contribute to their richness, and many cabinets have lighting to draw eyes to your treasures.

• The curio cabinet is like the China cabinet, but the glass curio cabinet has glass on the sides as well as in the front. And you can dedicate most or all of a curio to a collection or two. Often there are adjustable shelves that move to establish the right perspective.

• A corner etagere has an open appearance that allows it to step elegantly into the background and let your collection take center stage.

• All kinds of bookcases are suitable as display shelves for collectibles. But an open bookcase that doubles as a room divider gives people more than one way of admiring your display.
• Ladder bookcases put your collection right out into the open.
• A floating shelf can spread your objects horizontally along a long wall. Floor-to-ceiling short floating shelves promote an entirely different arrangement.

Display Ideas

No matter what shelving you use, here are a few techniques to experiment with.

• Leave some empty space. Sometimes absence has extra visual presence, and it always helps avoid cluttering.
• Use fewer items on higher shelves for a pyramid look.
• Narrow shelves work with delicate objects.
• Use trays, baskets and jars to group small collectibles. This is especially effective on shelf-less surfaces such as side tables.
• Don’t be afraid to go high. Many collectibles look just fine on top of a bookcase.

Reevaluate Your Collection

Sure, you admire every item in your collection, but not all objects display well. Is there an oddball that’s a different size, color or shape, or has experienced too much loving handling? You may accomplish “addition by subtraction” by taking it out. If you can’t bear to get rid of it, consider deploying it elsewhere in your home as a one-off.

Once we arrange our showpieces, there’s a tendency to leave them as they are. It’s a great idea to occasionally take them all out, spread them across a table, and think about a new way in which they might be displayed. It’s a way to keep your collection fresh, alive and cherishable year after year.