Decorating
Started a Collection? Here's How to Display it
Turn favourite objects into display-worthy treasures with these easy ideas
If you’ve been enjoying the BBC’s Royal Collection season, you’ll know it’s been shining the spotlight on the Queen’s unparalleled hoard of treasures, from the ultimate bling binge of the Crown Jewels (amazingly, before being shown it on the programme, the Queen hadn’t actually set eyes on the jewel-encrusted St Edward’s Crown since the day she wore it for the Coronation in 1953), to paintings, sculptures and exotic gifts bestowed on her throughout her long reign.
While a wall of old masters is unlikely to be vying for space on your own living room wall, a personal collection of favourite objects still deserves to be displayed properly, so it can be admired on a daily basis. Check out these ideas for inspiration.
While a wall of old masters is unlikely to be vying for space on your own living room wall, a personal collection of favourite objects still deserves to be displayed properly, so it can be admired on a daily basis. Check out these ideas for inspiration.
Get creative with containers
Houseplants, succulents and cacti have re-established themselves in many homes, and once you start collecting, it’s hard to stop. If you’re fast running out of available surfaces, how about displaying them in a huge antique terrarium or tank?
Scour eBay and antiques shops to find something similar to this, or consider modifying an old fish or reptile tank by placing it on a vintage frame or table.
Rubbish at growing plants? Check out the stylish faux options in the Houzz Shop
Houseplants, succulents and cacti have re-established themselves in many homes, and once you start collecting, it’s hard to stop. If you’re fast running out of available surfaces, how about displaying them in a huge antique terrarium or tank?
Scour eBay and antiques shops to find something similar to this, or consider modifying an old fish or reptile tank by placing it on a vintage frame or table.
Rubbish at growing plants? Check out the stylish faux options in the Houzz Shop
Fashion a gallery feel
Pictures collected over many years will probably vary greatly in terms of size and style. If you’re unsure how well they’ll work together, take inspiration from this eclectic assortment. Grouped tightly together in a patchwork formation, the overall effect is organic and ever-evolving.
Before you hang them on the wall, try laying your pictures on the floor and playing around with various formations. When you’re happy, take a picture on your phone and then recreate the same layout on the wall.
Pictures collected over many years will probably vary greatly in terms of size and style. If you’re unsure how well they’ll work together, take inspiration from this eclectic assortment. Grouped tightly together in a patchwork formation, the overall effect is organic and ever-evolving.
Before you hang them on the wall, try laying your pictures on the floor and playing around with various formations. When you’re happy, take a picture on your phone and then recreate the same layout on the wall.
Consider the background
This collection of woven platters has been used to add interest to a plain wall, but what really boosts the curated feel is the dark grey of the backdrop. This really sets off the platters by picking out the accent colour that features in many of the designs.
This collection of woven platters has been used to add interest to a plain wall, but what really boosts the curated feel is the dark grey of the backdrop. This really sets off the platters by picking out the accent colour that features in many of the designs.
Use books as art
Simply sorting books by the colour of their spines turns them from random to rainbow, as seen with this living room bookcase. Stacking some (or all) horizontally is another way to add interest, as is grouping by size.
Simply sorting books by the colour of their spines turns them from random to rainbow, as seen with this living room bookcase. Stacking some (or all) horizontally is another way to add interest, as is grouping by size.
Hang to highlight
They may not rival the Crown Jewels on the carat front, but a personal collection of gems can be just as precious. A pretty row of hooks allows necklaces to form part of the room’s decoration, while also avoiding the tangled mess than can often be found lurking at the bottom of a jewellery box.
They may not rival the Crown Jewels on the carat front, but a personal collection of gems can be just as precious. A pretty row of hooks allows necklaces to form part of the room’s decoration, while also avoiding the tangled mess than can often be found lurking at the bottom of a jewellery box.
Tone and shape
Love vases, pots and bottles? Each time you’re itching to add to your collection, consider what you already have at home before you reach for your purse, and ask yourself whether the new addition will fit in. Here, the earthy tones, smooth surfaces and slender shapes of the collection sit beautifully together, providing a wonderfully cohesive display.
Love vases, pots and bottles? Each time you’re itching to add to your collection, consider what you already have at home before you reach for your purse, and ask yourself whether the new addition will fit in. Here, the earthy tones, smooth surfaces and slender shapes of the collection sit beautifully together, providing a wonderfully cohesive display.
Prop on a ledge
A picture ledge allows you to rearrange a display or photos or artworks whenever the fancy takes you. Grouping together similar pictures – like this collection of black-framed monochrome photos – works particularly well when displaying them on a ledge. These homeowners have even made use of the floor, with prints casually propped up against the wall.
A picture ledge allows you to rearrange a display or photos or artworks whenever the fancy takes you. Grouping together similar pictures – like this collection of black-framed monochrome photos – works particularly well when displaying them on a ledge. These homeowners have even made use of the floor, with prints casually propped up against the wall.
Plate up
There are lots of ways to display plates on a wall, but one simple style is to arrange them in a cluster, with a linking colour throughout the group to stop them looking too random. Incorporating the accent colour on another item of furniture (in this case, a chair) further reinforces the connection.
Discover why plates make great wall displays
There are lots of ways to display plates on a wall, but one simple style is to arrange them in a cluster, with a linking colour throughout the group to stop them looking too random. Incorporating the accent colour on another item of furniture (in this case, a chair) further reinforces the connection.
Discover why plates make great wall displays
Bottle it
Beautiful toiletries are one of life’s little luxuries and, if you’re loyal to a particular brand, they can look very stylish when all lined up in matching containers. Putting a mirror behind the shelves adds to the glamorous feel. Matching sets make an ideal present, so get hinting to add to your collection!
See more luxurious spa-like ideas for bathrooms that are easy to achieve
Beautiful toiletries are one of life’s little luxuries and, if you’re loyal to a particular brand, they can look very stylish when all lined up in matching containers. Putting a mirror behind the shelves adds to the glamorous feel. Matching sets make an ideal present, so get hinting to add to your collection!
See more luxurious spa-like ideas for bathrooms that are easy to achieve
Work with materials
Textiles bought on foreign holidays are often boxed up and forgotten about once you’re back home. But as tablecloths, throws and, as shown here, wall hangings, they can add an exotic feel and, even better, serve as an enjoyable reminder of far-flung adventures.
Textiles bought on foreign holidays are often boxed up and forgotten about once you’re back home. But as tablecloths, throws and, as shown here, wall hangings, they can add an exotic feel and, even better, serve as an enjoyable reminder of far-flung adventures.
Give it a purpose
Whether you’ve inherited the family silver or picked up bits and bobs from car-boot and jumble sales, it can be hard to find a place for pewter and silverware in a modern interior. By creating a designated drinks cabinet, complete with decanter, measures and glasses, the antique pieces go from fusty to funky.
How would you display a collection? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments section.
Whether you’ve inherited the family silver or picked up bits and bobs from car-boot and jumble sales, it can be hard to find a place for pewter and silverware in a modern interior. By creating a designated drinks cabinet, complete with decanter, measures and glasses, the antique pieces go from fusty to funky.
How would you display a collection? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments section.
If you’re partial to a particular hue, chances are you’ll have plenty of accessories in that shade. Putting them together gives a display instant oomph and, if you really want to up the ante, try to match the surface they’re sitting on, too.
Here, a turquoise table further amplifies the vases, but a wood surface with wooden bowls, or glass with crystal objets would have the same effect.