How to Display Your Collection Without Looking Like a Hoarder
Don't confuse a collection for clutter. When displayed the right way, the things you love can make an artful statement in your home.
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/editorial/profiles/editors/Mallory-Ziglar/headshot.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.91.91.85.suffix/1421250720797.webp)
Everyone has something they like to collect. Whether it's snow globes, vintage china, rare coins or porcelain dolls (we don't judge), the key to keeping your collection under control is finding a way to display your beloved items that minimizes clutter and chaos.
We gathered some of our favorite ideas to help inspire new and creative ways to make your prized collection more than just a group of dust-collectors.
Create a Gallery Wall
For items like clocks, artwork, plates or record albums, the most obvious place to arrange them is on the wall. Keep the focus on the pieces themselves by only displaying a handful of your favorites. Can't choose your favorites? Swap them out regularly to switch things up!
![Neutral Midcentury-Modern Living Room With Room Divider Retro Style Space With Wooden Console and Wall Clocks](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/11/22/0/DP_Kerrie-Kelly-neutral-midcentury-modern-room-divider-living-room_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400983203216.webp)
2012 BRIAN KELLOGG PHOTOGRAPHY, 2012 BRIAN KELLOGG PHOTOGRAPHY
![Blue Green Plates on Wall Blue Green Plates](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/6/17/0/IO_James-Farmer_Holbrook-25.JPG.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1592414081120.webp)
Emily Followill
![Quirky Collection of Corkscrews Vintage Corkscrews Hang on Wall](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2014/11/11/Melanie-Milliner_Long-Island-Drive_Kitchen-Wall-Decor.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1415733251983.webp)
Melanie Millner
![Eclectic Living Room With Breadboards Living Room With Breadboards](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/6/5/0/IO_Crystal-Sinclair-Designs_Brownstone_Den-2.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1591376242250.webp)
Claire Esparros
![Bracero Hat Display Stairway Landing With Rustic Wood Dresser and Cowboy Hat Display](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/9/2/1/Bells-and-Whistles_Bracero_19.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1441224607610.webp)
Jennifer Puno
![Bungalow Home's Living Room With Gallery Wall Gallery Wall in Living Room](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2022/7/19/3/DOTY2022_Waterside-Retreats_Breeze-Giannasio_Maui-09.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1658260839667.webp)
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Use Floating Shelves
Shelves or photo ledges work well with larger items that don't belong on a wall, like globes, sea shells or vintage bottles. Even toy figurines can look surprisingly sophisticated when lined up neatly on a shelf. Tip: group items in your collection together based on color for an even more cohesive look.
![Decorative Nook Features White Paneling and Shelves Small Nook With White Paneling and Shelves](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2021/6/30/0/DOTY2021_Mimi-Meacham_Living-Large-6.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1625084669552.webp)
Kathleen Pieratt Photography
![Kid Gallery Wall and Green Pillow Kid Gallery Wall](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/9/9/0/IO_D2-Interieurs_Groovin-Garage_005.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1599679692567.webp)
Denise Davies Smart D2 Playrooms
![Whimsical Playroom with Reading Corner Reading Corner in Whimsical Playroom](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/9/6/0/D2-Interieurs_St-Barts_7.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1473184130802.webp)
Jane Beiles
![Muralist Maggie Antalek's Plant-Filled Home Office New York muralist and interior decorator Maggie Antalek's lively, retro living room is one that inspires creativity. A floating shelf with houseplants hover above a modern wooden desk with two pink upholstered chairs in the space that doubles as an office. A little pot that says plant lady can be seen on the desk.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2021/12/27/0/Original_Stephanie-Diani_HGTVHandmadeHomeTour_NYC_Maggie-Antalek_12.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1640627973975.webp)
Stephanie Diani
![Modern Kitchen Nook With Colorful Candles Kitchen Nook With Round Marble Table, Two Chairs, And Lots Of Candles](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/6/13/0/DOTY2019_Bailey-Austin-Design_Simcoe-Color_15.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1560444802843.webp)
Alyssa Rosenheck
![Gallery Wall With Pop Art Books and Red Chair Gallery Wall With Pop Art Books](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/1/12/0/Linc-Thelen-Design_North-Shore-Pop-Art_Book-Art-2.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.616.85.suffix/1421084717558.webp)
Jim Tschetter, IC36O Images
![Artsy Modern Living Room With White Leather Chair and Matching Ottoman and Floating Shelf Statue Display Modern White Sitting Room](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/5/11/0/Antonio-Martins_Dogpatch-Residence_12.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1462990334087.webp)
Drew Kelly
Take Advantage of Built-Ins
Built-in shelving gives you lots of space to arrange and rearrange a collection to your heart's content.
![Dining Room With Ceramic Collection Dining Room and Ceramic Collection](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2022/7/11/0/DOTY2022_Sara-Hillery-Interior-Design_Federal-Revival-Kitchen-5.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1657566439705.webp)
Michael Hunter
![Built-Ins With Colorful Sewing Supplies Spools of Colorful Threads and Books Fill Up a Wall of Built-Ins](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2019/10/2/1/Original_Jennifer-Ramos_HGTVHandmadeHomeTour_Austin_Lacy-Vancourt_0931.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.493.85.suffix/1570024854461.webp)
Jennifer M. Ramos
![Photo courtesy of Instagram user @farmhouseredefined.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/editorial/blogs/unsized/Mallory/RX-socialshare-instagram-typewriters_616.png)
Instagram user @farmhouseredefined
![French Country Meets Chinoiserie Dining Room Dining Area With Green Hutch, Yellow Dishes, Chinoiserie Wallpaper](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/4/24/2/CI-Farrow-And-Ball-The-Art-of-Color-pg201_built-in-china-cabinet_3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400978315139.webp)
Photo Credit: Edward Addeo, Gibbs Smith, Farrow and Ball, Brian D Coleman, Edward Addeo (photographer)
![Blue Kitchen Island With Built-In Wine Storage Blue kitchen island has shelves for eight wine bottles.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/9/1/1/IO_Three-Salt-Design_Cypress-Oak-Creek_9.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1598982789492.webp)
Chad Mellon
Cabinets and Cloches
Showing off the size or shape of an item in your collection can call for special treatment. We love how the shot glass collection is displayed in the liquor cabinet and below it, baseballs become museum-worthy when displayed under glass cloches.
![Blue Bar Cabinet With Shot Glasses Blue Bar Cabinet](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2021/6/24/0/IO_Annette-Jaffe-Interiors-North-Shore-Family-Home%20-03.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1624556190023.webp)
![Baseball Collection Signed Baseballs in Glass Cloches](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/7/13/1/Justine-Sterling_City-Digs_11.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1436798800354.webp)
Shelley Zatsky
![Bar Cabinet With Wine Storage Bar Cabinet](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/11/17/0/IO_Martha-Schneider_Color-Play-Living-Dining_8.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1605636140621.webp)
Catherine Nguyen
![Wine Rack in Cabinet Wine in Cabinet](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2022/3/21/1/IO_Amy-Leferink_Urban-Hideaway-07.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1647895122274.webp)
Mackenzie Merrill Photography
![Sky Blue Kitchen Cabinets and Antique Teapots Sky Blue Kitchen Cabinets](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2022/7/19/2/DOTY2022_Living-Large_Keita-Turner-Design_Williamsburg-Brooklyn-Co-OP-17.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1658257995341.webp)
Kelly Marshall
Forget the Rules
Who says magnets belong on the fridge? This collection could look overwhelming if it greeted you every time you went hunting for a snack. Giving magnets their own place to shine transforms them into a work of art! Arranging your collection in a neat and tidy manner will make it look more uniform and less like clutter.
![Photo courtesy of Instagram user @peckplus2.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/editorial/blogs/unsized/Mallory/RX-socialshare-instagram-magnetcollection_616.png)
Instagram user @peckplus2
![Eclectic Hall With Candlesticks Hall With Candlesticks](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2022/7/29/0/DOTY2022_Color-Pattern_Lucinda-Loya-Interior-Design_Cherokee-11.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1659107830522.webp)
Gianni Franchelluchi