Bad Taste Collectible Displays

We all have our passions for one thing and another and there is nothing wrong in collecting anything you wish. However if you also want your home to look good, don't give yourself an  interior design problem by trying to display your collection of pretty awful (to everyone else) things. It won't work. That is not to say that you could not have one or two things which mean so much out on display but the following are a complete no-no:-

1. Mail Order Collections

If you are collecting a limited edition of anything like plates or figurines that you ordered from a newspaper or magazine then you are just displaying products that millions of other people have seen and thousands of people have ordered. And the items are likely to be mass-produced in a foreign factory even if they are beautiful. At least have the fun of collecting one off items and building up your collection one piece at a time if you are going to collect something.

2. Animal Farm 

Collections of animal shaped objects are never going to add anything to the design of your interior so keep these private if you have to collect cows, pigs, ducks, sheep or whatever.

3. Newspapers and Magazines

Piles and piles of magazines and newspapers that are not getting read are doing no one any good. They certainly do not look attractive. If you have vintage  magazines or newspapers however it can be good to display newsworthy pages, old advertisements or magazine covers in frames.

4. Model Trains, Boats and Cars

It seems to be a particular guy thing to collect vehicles of all kinds. Just get them well out of the way in a den, attic or shed rather than on display in your living room.

5. Dolls and Teddy Bears

No matter how valuable your collection, dolls and teddy bears will never look right to display in an adult room. Tuck your collection away out of sight if you want your rooms to look good (or display if you don't give a hoot!)

6. Photographs

Of course it is lovely to be reminded of your loved ones and they are very personal and meaningful to you but too many photographs are simply clutter and they detract from your other items. Restrict yourself religiously and put only the best on display. If you love all your photographs rotate them so you get to appreciate one or two at a time.

7. China Ornaments

Some ornaments cost the earth and as single items they can be beautiful but start a collection and they start to be clutter. Less is truly more when it comes to ornaments.