Collectibles or Clutter?

The Fine Line Between Collectibles as Decor Versus Clutter

Perhaps you’ve heard of the phrase, “One person’s junk is another person’s treasure.” This concept is what drives many people to garage and estate sales in search of their personal treasure. (Getting such treasure at a good price is an extra motivator.) In these days of myriad articles about “How to Downsize” or “Get Rid of the Clutter,” those of us who have collections (and want to keep them) are bound to feel intimidated. Another rendition of the phrase above is, "One person’s collection is another person’s clutter.” Just for fun, I decided to ask ChatGPT: “What is the definition of clutter?” ChatGPT answered:

Clutter is defined as a collection of items that are disorganized, excessive, or unnecessary, often leading to a chaotic and untidy environment. These items can be physical objects, such as household goods, paperwork, and personal belongings, or digital files and data. Clutter typically accumulates when items are not regularly sorted, discarded, or stored properly, resulting in a space that feels overwhelming and difficult to navigate. Clutter can negatively impact productivity, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.

I was surprised to discover that ChatGPT referred to clutter as a collection. Maybe the AI program picked up that distinction from combing the Merriam-Webster dictionary which defines clutter as “a crowded or confused mass or collection” or “scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness.” My takeaway from these definitions is that organization is the key to preventing collections from turning into clutter.

Display and storage are two main categories that require organization for collections of objects or artwork. Those with small collections might be fortunate to have the space to aesthetically display all the objects in their collection at one time. However, long-time collectors and those who collect multiple types of objects usually require storage space for those items that “do not fit” into their “current” display.  Storage space that is controlled for temperature and humidity is optimal. Collections of photos, fabrics, or paper can get damaged in hot attics or damp basements. If available, store your collectibles in a spare bedroom or closet. If you need to use a garage, make sure your collection is properly boxed or covered and elevated from the cement floor. So often, storage space is an afterthought. However, as I have learned the hard way, storage space should be planned in conjunction with your displays. The concept of “less is more” can be particularly helpful regarding displays. As collectors, we need to resist the urge to crowd the display space with everything we own. By selecting a subset of objects in a collection to be on display at a given time while storing the others, we highlight the beauty of the collection. Thoughtful planning and organization will hopefully prevent your guests as well as your spouse or children from referring to your collections as clutter.

The first step is to take stock of your collection and understand what you have. It is a good idea to make an inventory of your collection regardless of its monetary value. Inventory-tracking software programs for web and mobile phones are readily available to help with documenting collections. If you don’t want to use a dedicated software program, you can just use a spreadsheet or old-fashioned pen and paper. For your inventory and to help with planning your display strategy, categorize your objects by type, size, material, color, era, holiday, or theme. “Type” could have sub-categories such as manufacturer or artist. As you sort your collectibles, visualize how you would like to see them displayed in your home. Allow your home to be a reflection of your personality and passions. The goal is to organize your collection for visual appeal, enjoyment, and preservation. The methods you employ to achieve that goal are your choice. I am here to offer you some tips.

It can be aesthetically pleasing to display different types of objects side by side. It depends upon your preference. For example, I have an extensive fashion doll collection, and I inherited colored glassware from my mother. I like my mother’s glassware even though it is not something I aspire to collect. I decided to keep several pieces of glassware to honor her memory. To accommodate displaying both collections in my dining room china cabinet, I combined pieces of colored glassware with dolls dressed in a similar color. Color can be a uniting factor for objects of different sizes or types. When displaying objects of different sizes, logic dictates placing smaller objects in front of larger objects; however, the goal is to be able to view all the collectibles. Preferably, smaller objects should not be placed directly in front of other objects but rather to the side of the rear objects in a stagger pattern. Plexiglass risers can be used to elevate one or more rows of similar size objects. When displaying objects of different sizes in a single row, a “peaked roof” pattern can work with the taller objects in the center and shorter objects off to each side in decreasing gradations. In addition to the china cabinet, I also display my mother’s glassware by itself on a wall shelf with separate shelves for red, blue, and clear glassware, arranged in a “peaked roof” pattern. 

Choosing appropriate furniture or shelves to display your collections helps to avoid the appearance of clutter. Curio cabinets that have glass doors are great for showcasing dolls up to a certain height as well as dishes, glassware, figurines, and other fragile objects. Cabinets also keep most dust off the objects and provide some ultraviolet radiation protection from sunlight. Certain materials, such as cotton blend fabrics or paper, are especially prone to fading from sunlight. For these materials a regular glass barrier does not provide sufficient protection. It is the best practice to keep any objects prone to fading or discoloration out of direct sunlight even if they are behind glass. You can control the amount of sunlight through window coverings such as shades, blinds, or drapes. Glass or plexiglass display cases also provide protection. Cases can be custom-made with museum quality ultraviolet protective glass for valuable objects. Wall shelves and shelving units make attractive displays but need to be dusted. Wall shelves are better suited to a separate room whose door is kept closed since that minimizes dust accumulation. I do not recommend open wall shelves for objects that have fabric on them such as dolls. Displaying collectibles on wall shelves in or near a kitchen will expose them to grease so they need to be washable. Dishes and glassware can be displayed this way but keeping them clean is more labor intensive.

 The height of your objects is an important factor in planning how to display your collections on multiple shelves or inside cabinets. Cabinets which have glass shelves that rest on adjustable pegs are desirable for shelf height flexibility. When setting up a new curio cabinet or rearranging a display to include objects of different heights, figure out the shelf placement by measuring your tallest object for that shelf and allowing one inch clearance if possible. Do not forget to allow for the depth of the shelving material and object display stands when determining clearance. In my collection, I have three general heights of dolls to consider: 8”, 12”, and 16”. One curio cabinet has 68.5” interior height with four glass shelves .25” thick. It seems that the cabinet should be able to display five shelves of 12” dolls. However, the optimal shelf height for my 12” dolls is 15” when you figure in doll stands, elaborate hair styles, hats, or the desire to display the doll in its original box. 13” is the minimum clearance for the 12” dolls. Therefore, for this cabinet, I set the middle shelf to be a height of only 10.75” for displaying my 8” dolls. When displaying my 16” dolls in that same size curio, I removed a glass shelf leaving two shelves that can accommodate the 16” dolls and two shelves for the 12” dolls. Once you have your cabinet or shelving unit adjusted to display your tallest objects, if the shelf depth is sufficient, you can place smaller or shorter objects in front but askew of your taller objects as mentioned above. The different sizes of objects can coordinate with each other via color (as in the doll and glassware example above), theme (such as a holiday), or character (such as a doll and its matching ornament). The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Display furniture is not limited to cabinets or shelves. (Those just work best for my collections.) Tables of all sizes, a fireplace mantel, plant stands, etageres, sideboards, dressers, and nightstands can all hold our cherished objects. Vintage furniture can be painted or restored to create unique display pieces. I recommend limiting the number and size of objects that you display on tables, especially those you use every day. You don’t want to have to move three collectible vases or bowls from your dining table just to be able to eat your dinner and have space for the food. Having to move items just to go about your daily activities is a sign that clutter is present.

Pets are another factor to consider when choosing display modes. Cats are hard-wired to be jumpers and climbers. Some are more daring than others in terms of how high they will try to climb. Even so, any furniture placed in front of a window in a room not permanently closed to the cat is fair game as a cat perch. Cat owners, like me, know to limit objects in jump range to the unbreakable like stuffed animals or possibly an object heavy enough not to be knocked off such as a brass lamp. Just remember, for anything you put there, if your cat knocks it off and breaks it, she doesn’t pay you for it. She just gives you a look that says, “Why did you put that thing in my way? You should have known better!” I cannot speak for dog owners. In general, pet owners should make sure their displays are safe for and from their pets. We don’t want pets to ingest our objects or any toxic materials they may contain. Furthermore, anyone who pet sits or whose guests bring pets into their home, needs to be mindful of any possible pet interactions with their collectibles.

If your furniture display space is limited by pets or floor space, consider wall mounting your collectibles. In addition to framed art or photographs, objects of many sizes can be hung on walls using the correct anchoring equipment for the object’s weight. You can buy or construct custom plexiglass display cases for wall hanging shallow objects that you do not want to display on an open shelf. Museums often use such display cases. Choose the placement of wall displays carefully. A gallery wall displaying a large quantity of shallow or flat collectibles may be more conducive to larger homes; it depends upon the surrounding spaces and the function of room or hallway that contains the gallery. Before constructing your gallery, make a scale diagram of the wall with the objects and try to envision how it will look with the rest of the room’s décor. There are software programs to help with modeling. Ask yourself, “Does my gallery wall complement the other décor in the room, or does it look out of place for the function of the room?” If displaying framed art or photographs, take into consideration whether you want to have a single theme or type of artwork. For example, a series of six framed works on a single theme might display better if they all have the same size, color, and type of frame arranged in a symmetrical pattern such as one row or three above and three below. Artwork from different artists, time periods, or of various sizes would likely display better in frames whose styles coordinate best with the artwork even if the frame styles differ from each other.

Do you have a collection of items that you would not mind if your guests or children handled them? If so, then consider interactive displays. Arrange items such as seashells, stones, fabrics, or souvenirs on a side table or bookshelf and encourage your guests to examine them. You could also leave a photo album out for guests to leaf through. Travel albums can be a conversation starter and allow you to make more photos accessible to guests than you could display on a wall. Albums also keep the photos protected and organized (as per our topic) instead of sprawling in all directions in a bag or box. To prevent the appearance of clutter, interactive displays could be packed in a box or divided plastic storage container and stored on an accessible closet shelf so the container can easily be brought out when guests visit. Toys safe for children to play with can also be stored until needed.

Once you have decided on the types of displays for your home, consider the themes of the objects and which ones will lend themselves to being rotated with the seasons or holidays. Just as museums have their permanent exhibit gallery and temporary exhibits, your home can have objects that you want to leave on display year-round and those you want to rotate. It usually works well to choose one or more pieces of furniture to display your temporary exhibits. I arrange holiday displays on the lid of my home’s baby grand piano. I change the display for Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. Breaking the “less is more” guideline touted above, I bought more Easter decorations in 2024 and wanted to display them all. I crowded them onto the piano and must admit that the result was “bunny overboard.” Therefore, the “Easter Display 2024” piano scene is probably a good example of how not to display your holiday decorations. There are also a few newly acquired Valentine’s Day decorations mixed in. Can you find them? The hugs and kisses shadowbox and the wooden candy hearts are nearly hidden by the front row of bunnies. This year, I created a separate display for Valentine’s Day and put those decorations away before getting out the Easter ones. I also moved some of the bunnies to a side table. You be the judge and compare the “Easter Display 2025” to the previous year.

In conclusion, the distinction between collectibles as décor versus clutter hinges on thoughtful organization and aesthetic display. Your collections deserve to be admired, not lost in overwhelming disorder. It's not about how many items you have, but how you choose to showcase them. By carefully curating your collections, you can transform what might seem like clutter to someone else into a meaningful, visually appealing reflection of your personality and passions. Remember that less is often more when it comes to displaying your treasures. If you have more objects than can fit into your planned display spaces, rotate them in and out of storage. Embrace the challenge of finding the perfect balance between showing off your prized collectibles and maintaining an orderly, inviting home. Then, the next time you are out shopping with a friend or relative who does not share your collecting passion, and you happen upon a “great find,” and your companion attempts to discourage you from purchasing it with the typical question, “Where are you going to put that?” you can confidently reply, “Don’t worry. I have a plan.”