Why hide them when you can show the world what you love?
Thinking of a way to liven up your home? Here’s one simple way: show off your collectibles! Whether it’s superhero figurines, sneakers, or K-pop merchandise, your weird and wonderful collections that you spent years amassing are a great way to showcase your personality.
Check out these 10 homes that have made their collectibles the focal point of the design:
1. Accentuate alcohol bottles with modern-luxe elements
Liquor bottles have a classy, elegant look to them, and if you’re keen on incorporating them into your home’s design, it’s only fair to accentuate them with modern-luxe elements, like backlights, gold trims, and dark colours. Just take this swanky home in Punggol as an example!
2. Carve out curved recessed niches dedicated to their K-pop collectibles
Driven by her love of K-pop megastar BTS, the homeowner of this Kim Tian Road home utilised rounded edges and pastel colours to convey a softer, friendlier look. Peep those BT21 collectibles looking right at home on those recessed shelves!
3. Convert a spare bedroom into a sneaker ‘showroom’
Sneakerheads, this one’s for you. If you’ve got an impressive collection of Air Jordans and Yeezys, show them off on a huge wall-to-ceiling display shelf, like the one in this Tampines home! You can see just how proud the homeowners are of their collection – the backlit shelves and displayed Nike boxes all add to the sleek, sport store-inspired look.
4. Show off their beloved collections in the living room
What’s the best place to show off your collectibles? Why, the communal areas, of course! Rather than keeping them hidden away in private areas like the bedroom, putting them on display in places like your living room will definitely garner more attention.
Just take a look at how this homeowner has showcased his sneaker collection. One look and you know that nobody will, well, not notice it. Bonus points for the way it complements the marble feature wall and floor, because it really brings out the modern, luxe look of the place.
5. Create dedicated display areas along the lines of their home
The problem with having so many collectibles is knowing how to arrange them without looking too cluttered. But as you can see, the owner of this home in Sumang Lane has got it down pat, with a neatly-arranged collection of Star Wars memorabilia that highlights the sharp, clean lines of this modern home. This is the way.
6. Turn unused space into an old-school vinyl record nook
Back in the day, listening to physical music records before purchasing them was a thing – and if the melophile (music lover) in you is yearning for yesteryear in present time, perhaps that’s a sign for you to create your own vinyl record ‘nook’ at home.
Instead of plastering it all over your walls (which has the potential to visually clutter your home), storing them in a simple shelf will suffice. It’ll not only keep things neat, but will also be the physical reminder of the days you spent perusing through records back in the day. Ah, the nostalgia.
7. Have their coffee table double as a display case
Yes, even your coffee table can function as a display area! Take this hypebeast Yishun home as an example – aside from the KAWS figures in the study and sofa, you’ll also find an assortment of Supreme merchandise tastefully displayed in a clear coffee table.
8. Replace the walls of their man cave with a light-up glass cabinet
Here’s one for anyone looking to create their very own ‘man cave’. Neon strip lights are synonymous with the gamer aesthetic – so if you’re a gamer and have a ton of collectibles you want to proudly display, try lining the allocated display area with strip lights of your choice.
Aside from adding a futuristic touch, it also illuminates your collectibles in a way that draws them into the design of the space.
9. Create a full-length bookshelf
Finding a standalone display case for your precious collectibles can be harder than you think, because there’s a possibility of them looking out of place – especially if the design doesn’t match your current home aesthetic.
For a more seamless-looking display option, consider a full-length bookshelf. By spanning the entire length of your wall, it creates a smooth, uninterrupted visual line that draws your eyes further into the room, while also providing ample space for your collectibles. A win-win in our books!
10. Let their collectibles become the focal point of your home’s design
Here’s a novel idea: instead of finding a way to incorporate your collectibles into your home’s design, let them dictate your design direction!
This ‘cluttercore’ home in Geylang is one fine example. Driven by the homeowners’ love for vibrant colours as well as their collectibles (which include art prints, figurines, and books), the home boasts a quirky look that features their respective collections, put on full display in various parts of the home.
We're on Instagram, Telegram and TikTok! Follow us there to keep up with the latest design trends 🙌
Renovate with assurance, only on Qanvast.
Find and meet interior designers verified by homeowners, with no hidden costs and no commissions involved.
Find an ID
This article was first published on 16 July 2021, and last updated on 28 November 2023.