From action figures to books, shoes, posters, cheesy souvenirs or vinyl records, we love collecting stuff. Whether it’s a new hobby or a lifelong journey, collecting memorabilia can be fun. But now that our precious bounty has amassed to our liking, we want to show it off to the world (or least the guests we’re entertaining). Ashleigh Clark, owner of Ashleigh Clark Interior Design Group, gives us some expert tips on how to display our burgeoning collection while still keeping an eye on good design.
Room to view
You’ve worked hard cultivating your collections, so it’s important to display them in rooms that make the most sense. Clark says collections that are mostly sentimental might fit best in more intimate settings such as bedrooms, while items you want to show off should be in a space where you’re likely to spend time talking about them. “If you’re going to be downstairs watching the ballgame with all your friends, let’s dedicate that space [to sports memorabilia],” she says. “You want to show people what sports teams you love.”
Shoot for three
Whether you are hanging vintage posters or autographed basketball jerseys, keep the rule of three in mind. Arrange three or more items at staggered heights on the wall, or stack them to different heights. “[Make it] so they’re not just sitting there all in a row. It’s just more visual interest,” says Clark, noting this can be applied to books and other collectibles that you might not hang on the wall as well.
Accessorize it
We tend to group collectible items, such as Funko Pop vinyl figures, together because they match. But Clark says juxtaposition is important in interior design to keep things from being overlooked. For example, accessorize Star Wars-themed Funko Pops with novelizations of the movies. “Books are actually my favorite home accessory,” says Clark, “They can help with anything like shelving or tabletops.”
Show off
Framing isn’t just for photos. Framed concert or movie posters are a great way to show off your tastes, as are framed vinyl records. “Framing and shadow boxes are always going to be visually appealing, especially if you have a brighter colored record to pair with the sleeve,” says Clark. Frame each piece in the collection in the same color scheme or theme to evoke an art-gallery feel. Clark also recommends enclosing collectible figures and other items in shadow boxes. “It’s going to add dimension, and it’s going to protect it,” she says.
