8 Tips on Displaying Objects: From Museum to Home

Yesterday, I went to LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) with the sole purpose of collecting tips on displaying objects. I wanted to see what can anyone learn from a museum to apply at home.

With only one hour to spare, it still had to be a broad overview. I managed to visit 5 museum buildings and feel that my list of tips is comprehensive. As an avid collector of teapots, I know what to look for.

Below please find 8 simple tips on displaying objects in your home as if it were a museum


1. Center on the wall
Playful or not, an architect in me tends to center. It feels more balanced and complete.


2. Utilize the entire space
When you utilize the entire room, it is very impactful. You are maximizing the space available.


3. Place at eye level
For something to be appreciated to the fullest, it has to be easily seen.


4. Create a composition
A week ago, I had to move all of my beloved teapots from the shelving unit they reside in onto a table surface for cleaning. My beautiful collection transformed into a pile of "junk." What a difference careful and thoughtful placement makes! Artful arrangement is critical.


5. Feature prominently
A garden designer friend explained to me how every garden has to have a few "stars" or focal points. The same idea applies when displaying objects. Choose your "stars" and regard them as such.


6. Tell a story
Your home is the expression of who you are. When displaying objects, you want to reveal why they are important to you. More than likely, there is a story to tell about every treasure. What makes them special? Why are they in your home?


7. Arrange thematically
Telling a story is easier when you group things. My teapots are clustered by color, shape, and method of production. One of the tips is to find a complementary combination where each object belongs to a "team."


8. Consider lighting
Lighting is very important. Out of these 8 tips on displaying objects, lighting might as well be the first one. Consider lighting carefully. Here's some sound advice that would apply to displaying objects as well as art. At a museum as well as your home.

For more tips, please take a look at my free downloadable ideaBook 01: Displaying and Organizing.

Alla is an architect on demand advising DIY home improvement enthusiasts online.

This post originally appeared on allaDIYally.com

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