Home of memories - the right place for your souvenirs and mementos

By Sascha Rettig Jan 19, 2012, 3:06 GMT

Berlin - Using a printer's old type case to display figures, small bottles and personal items is no longer as common as it once was. An ordinary shelf is not quite the right place to show off your collected bits and bobs as it doesn't seem like it's the appropriate setting. What is the right way to store and show off your treasured items and is it worthwhile getting a custom made display case?

Almost everyone has a memento of their childhood at home or a valuable souvenir from a trip abroad. 'These days you're more likely to find a collection on large shelves, in display cases or in a homemade display area,' says Ursula Geismann from the association of Germany's furniture industry, the Deutschen Moebelindustrie. 'They're also often integrated into walls in the home.'

A showcase can be made either completely from glass or from a combination of wood and glass. Glass, however, is a material that does need regular care. 'Finger marks and dust are quickly visible on glass,' says Geismann. If you're looking for an inexpensive alternative to glass you should consider Plexiglas or acrylic. 'But they're easy to scratch.'

It's very important that you put some thought into exactly what you intend putting on display and how it can be integrated into your home. 'Of course that depends on individual taste,' says Gritt Bartels, an interior designer. 'If you plan on displaying antiques you could use cube-shaped shelving arranged as a kind of timeline on your wall.'

If the focus should be firmly on a single object a recess in a wall, with a glass front and appropriate lighting, might be a solution. 'Or try placing the object on its own shelf separate to the showcase,' says Bartels. You can also just use a surface that's already present in the home like a recess area beneath a table with a glass plate on top.

But if your goal is to regularly change the overall look of a room or you have a collection that is constantly growing, then you should take a look at getting a shelving system that can be extended. One option is the Konnex shelf system by the designer Florian Gross. Konnex consists of a package of different sized cubes that can easily be matched, moved and even combined with each other.

However, sometimes you just won't be able to find the right shelf. When that situation arises it's time to go to a cabinetmaker to get the job done. 'That need not be more expensive that buying a piece of furniture in a store,' says Geismann. A custom-made display can be tailored to suit your collection. 'That can be great if, for example, you have things that cannot be displayed on a very smooth surface. A leather covered shelf could be the right solution,' says Bartels.

You should also be aware that an open shelf can serve to make a room feel cluttered. 'Most people don't like empty rooms but a room that's packed with shelves and furniture doesn't leave any space for peace and quiet,' says the coach and trainer Uwe Linke, who provides advice on living spaces. 'It's not advisable to put your objects on display directly across from the entrance to a room or a seat as it forces you to look at it.'