How to display your hobby collection in a small space

Collecting can be fun. It can be expensive, time consuming and space consuming, but still fun. The challenge is coming up with ways to display your collection in a small space, be that your bedroom, apartment or house, without using up all the living space you need for, you know, living. Here are a few tips for storage success.

Keep similar items, similar sizes and similar colours in groups to make a collection look more cohesive rather than cluttered or junky. Think glass bottles in the same colour groups, or necklaces and bracelets framing rings and earrings, or rocks and shells displayed together in separate containers.

Choose one-colour walls – white, especially – to make smaller rooms look larger and more open.

Utilize under-staircase shelves, window sills and fireplace mantels as display areas to keep collections from taking over living space. Shelves and screens can be used to break up rooms into areas, and display cases can be pushed up against any walls. Hanging items on walls or on rods suspended from ceilings can also open rooms up.

Use lighted glass cases or shelves to highlight rocks, shells, bottles, figurines, knickknacks, glassware and memorabilia.

Securely mount shadow box frames, shelves, boxes, and fabric panels to walls to display small objects and artwork, jewellery and memorabilia. One can even affix small items to walls and hang frames around them.

Hang Christmas ornaments, clothes, jewellery and scarves from the ceiling to free up shelf space.

Push shelves, tables and benches up against walls to make an out-of-the-way storage zone. Place a chalkboard behind the items and write descriptions or captions for items.

Display buttons, rocks, shells, marbles and dried flowers in glass jars for a charming effect that­ can be easily moved from room to room as desired.

Do double duty with sturdy screens and open shelves, both as display units and as room dividers, to create visual interest without blocking areas off completely.

Scour flea markets and yard sales for interesting shelves and storage containers.

With a little effort and imagination, you can transform any room and showcase your passions without sacrificing too much floor space. Enjoy the limitless possibilities of creatively and efficiently showing off your treasures!

Photos by: Stewart Butterfield - Wikimedia Commons, Manfred Heyde - Wikimedia Commons, miss minimalist, Candle Power Forums, Pinterest, Your Chic Space, POPSUGAR, Modern Interior and Decor Ideas