Looking for collection display shelves that give your favorite things a proper place? From colorful glasses to tiny figures and model cars, there’s plenty of inspiration here.
You can fill a whole wall or start with a couple of simple ledges.
You don’t have to keep every shelf looking the same. Group things by color, give a larger piece its own spot or mix a few favorites with books and plants.
These displays show how cute all three approaches can look.
Collection displays worth saving
little glasses in a white cabinet
We’re starting off strong with this white cabinet full of souvenir glasses. I love how the narrow rows keep all those little printed designs facing forward.
The wide white frame makes the whole collection look like one big wall display.
Try arranging your glasses in single rows like these so your favorites don’t disappear behind each other.
black shelves and colorful figures
How cute is this figure wall? The black rectangular shelves hold rows of little characters, with more lined up along the tops.
Those oversized letters above the collection are such a fun extra touch.
Keep related characters together if you want to follow this arrangement. The larger figures get their own space at the very top.
model cars under the lights
If you want your model cars to have a little more room, this one is for you. The cars have room to stand apart on the cabinet shelves behind dark-framed doors.
The bright strips above the upper shelves show off the red, purple and pale-colored models.
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I especially love the pink car against that simple background.
a patchwork of car cubbies
This is another car display, but it’s a little different from the one above. The brown shelving has a mix of tall and short openings, with most of the cars facing straight ahead.
The long tanker at the bottom is my favorite detail. Give your longest model a wider opening rather than trying to squeeze everything into matching squares.
an arch with glowing shelves
I am in love with this arched display. The pale vessels at the top, framed bird picture and scalloped pots look so pretty together.
Lighting beneath the shelves carries through the whole nook.
For a smaller collection, try mixing your pieces with a few books instead of filling every gap with another ornament.
a sneaker tower beside the mirror
Don’t have a whole wall to spare? This narrow white tower gives sneakers a spot right beside the mirror.
The green, yellow and blue shoes add plenty of color without any extra decorations.
Turn your shoes sideways like these if you want their profiles to be the part you see first.
pointed towers sorted by color
The color lovers are going to love this! Purple, blue, green and pink pointed pieces fill separate white ledges, with yellow and brown shades along the bottom.
I love the mix of little points and much taller towers. Try grouping your own collection by color without making every piece the same height.
purple books and tiny lights
I am obsessed with this purple book wall. The shelves switch between lavender and deeper purple, with matching books filling the staggered rows.
Even the fan-shaped book details follow the same colors.
If you want to go a step further with a one-color display, try tiny string lights between the shelves like the ones here.
a clear case for little characters
How adorable is this little collection? The clear case holds two levels of figures, with a few more characters sitting on top.
I especially love the tiny cat with the toast-shaped face frame.
The illustrated cards above are a cute addition. Try displaying character artwork near the matching figures rather than keeping it tucked away.
album covers above the books
Who says your album covers have to stay hidden? Small black ledges hold them facing forward in a neat grid above the low bookcases.
Choose a few covers you love looking at to try this yourself. If you already have books and plants below, they can stay right where they are.
a ladder-shaped dish display
If you’re looking for something a little different from a bookcase, take a look at this ladder-shaped display. A dark green lidded pot sits above a group of floral dishes, with stacked plates tucked underneath.
Those little flower patterns are so pretty. For your own version, choose a stable display unit with shelves deep enough for the dishes.
perfume bottles on white ledges
Don’t want to go overboard with your display? No problem! Two white ledges give these perfume bottles their own space beside the mirror.
I love the tall purple bottle at the end of the upper row. Leave a little space between bottles if you want to enjoy their different shapes too.
stuffed animals in offset cubbies
This stuffed animal display is just too cute. The white cubbies step from side to side, with little animal faces filling each opening.
A few paws and tails hang over the edges.
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Try sitting your larger animals on top, as shown here, so they don’t have to fit into the smaller compartments.
rainbow goblets and blossom wallpaper
This may just be one of my favorite displays here. The goblets run from pink and red through green, blue and purple on brown floating shelves.
That pale blue blossom wallpaper is gorgeous behind them.
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Keep the different shapes together within each color group if you want this same rainbow effect.
a whole wall of miniature worlds
If you are looking for an all-out display, then this one is for you. There’s a castle, a colorful Ferris wheel and a whole row of little buildings across the blue-green shelving.
I love how the buildings sit side by side like a street. Save a long, uninterrupted shelf for connected scenes if your collection includes them.
book covers facing forward
Looking for collection display ideas shelves can bring to life? Try giving your favorite book covers their own little wall display.
Here, three white ledges hold books facing forward above a gray bench.
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The yellow, green and red covers on the top row are such a cheerful touch. You don’t need to fill every inch to make this arrangement look lovely.
hexagons with little keepsakes
Don’t want long rows of shelving? These joined hexagons give you a different way to display a few favorites.
The white elephant, small photos and plants each have their own little spot.
I especially love the seated figure in the lowest hexagon. Leaving that opening otherwise empty lets you really see its shape.
blue and white from top to bottom
I am obsessed with this blue-and-white collection. There are patterned jars, tall vases, upright plates and even a pair of matching animal figures.
The white shelving keeps the color theme going.
Try placing a few plates upright among your jars, then stack the extras below. That gives you two pretty ways to show the same collection.
glowing niches for small figures
These collection display shelves turn little figures into a whole wall feature. Each recessed opening has a golden line of light along the top, with robots, puzzles and other small pieces spread across the rows.
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You don’t have to fill them all at once. The nearly empty bottom opening still looks like part of the display.
old-fashioned tins in a scalloped cabinet
Last but definitely not least, we have this sweet little tin display. I love the scalloped trim and painted flowers on the brown cabinet.
The round and rectangular containers look so good mixed together.
Face the labels forward to follow this arrangement. The different lettering and faded-looking colors are a big part of its charm.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Giulia