5 TIPS to Display your Collection LIKE A PRO --- Props, Statues, Star Wars & more

MORE ▶ / kevdeo
5 Tips to display your collection like a pro!
This video is for collectors who are serious about displaying their stuff. When you've invested so much into your pieces, why would you slack when it comes to the display? If you collect statues, busts, props, helmets, replicas, or even Star Wars toys, this video is for you.
The right display will completely change how people see you collection. Use these 5 tips, and your display room will be on track to become your personal museum. We've all seen messy, cluttered, poorly displayed collections. Don't be one of those schmucks! DISPLAY LIKE A PRO.
In the end, spending money on a display or display cabinet isn't the whole story. Collectors need to think about HOW they display their finds, and learn what collection pitfalls to avoid. Whether you are tricking out your mancave build, or just adding a new display to your home theater or office, these tips will get you started right.
Turn your collection from space-junk to gold.
Thanks for watching, please subscribe for more!
*KEVDEO is a Science Fiction collector, painter, and prop maker.
Visit instagram to see his recent projects and finds:
/ kevdeo
*Special thanks to the collectors who's collection pics I shared. If you'd like to named or linked here, please shoot me a message!
@Fifty34 - awesome display man!
Recommended IKEA shelving systems:
www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/besta-...
www.ikea.com/us/en/search/pro...
www.ikea.com/us/en/p/fabrikoe...
www.ikea.com/us/en/p/billy-bo...
www.ikea.com/us/en/p/milsbo-g...
"BESTÅ has evolved into a multi-purpose solution across the livingBESTÅ has evolved into a multi-purpose solution across the living room. It’s modularity means you have a free hand in customizing it to your needs and tastes. You can easily personalize it for a clean and modern entertainment center, displaying your favorite things or all-in-one functionality."

[@SenoEricKrueger]

Number 3 is super important. Nothing hurts than seeing an overcrowded shelf and has no room to breathe. I had no idea why people display their collection like that, you can't properly display your piece that way because everything is jammed in

[@MikaelaDelainey]

Is there any rule of thumb about how much space to leave around figures? Top/front/back/left/right?

[@Brianguyanddude]

"You don't want your collection lookin like a bad episode of Hoarders" Oof I felt that one lol

[@-Rockstar666-]

Number 3 & 4 are soo important! 90% of all collection videos make my head hurt because they are so dense and crowded. Sometimes less is more.

[@lostcivility9849]

I just got some real lighting for my Ikea display case. What a huge difference. I collect fossils, rocks and minerals locally and some I have purchased. I have a drawer with my smaller, less treasured items but there are a few I'm going to be able to display better using a 3 tiered plexiglass stand that fits perfectly in the Ikea shelving. A label maker will help define your collection in a very nice print.

[@kevdeovideo]

Good stuff. Congrats!

[@jameschapman7284]

Had me laughing. Yes, as I collector I totally relate to breaking these tips... regularly.

[@kevdeovideo]

I'm due to sell a few pieces myself. It's an ongoing thing, no doubt.

[@limegingrin]

Sounds like advice for statues, props and 1:6 scale. I'm not changing my feral 1:12 ways

[@irfankomara5973]

Thanks for the tips! Since I got my ikea detolf for my figures display, now I can really hightlight the figures that I really liked and sell other figures that doesn't fit in the display. It also makes me saved a lot of money from buying unnecessary figures afterwards because it helped me reconsider my purchases to make sure that the figure that I bought will fit into the display.

[@SonarHD]

A LOT of people who collect figures need to watch this video. I don’t care how much money you’ve spent buying collectibles, they end up looking cheap as hell when the display is crowded. Unfortunately, this is a prevalent issue and it looks terrible. The best displays I’ve seen are the minimalist ones. They look classy, expensive, and totally bad ass (especially when people take the time to pose figures well). Great video!!

[@austintheng]

Hey!! I just want to say your contents are really great man!! I LOVED IT!! Found your video about collecting during economy downturn and watch some of your other videos.. Very informative advice and interesting to watch.. Keep em coming!

[@ToyMuseum-lw3pz]

This was a wake up call. Thanks for the tips I been organizing for the past month but it's not working out. Going to take your tips and see where I go.

[@christiansalvacruz3733]

Awesome video. Gave me a lot to consider on setting up my first display cabinet.

[@misticunicorn7808]

Dude I'm loving the advice and style of your videos keep em going

[@kevdeovideo]

Thank man, more to come!

[@retrofuture1931]

Great tips mate, lovely display you have. Just couldn't get past the distraction of the ring light reflection in your glasses.

[@Galactusz007]

Sometimes you don’t need fancy glass cabinets. My collection sits on huge thick pinewood shelves sitting on top of heavy duty industrial wall brackets, looks cool. BTW, you are a good presenter. Good editing too. You should have way more sunbscribers.

[@AuthenticGucci]

I have a Boba Fett kaws on a pinewood shelve next to a Lego Darth Vader alarm clock 😂

[@RathalosEmperor]

But the dust

[@bigmocollectibles1995]

I like it, you stuck with the basics and you are 100% correct with all 5 tips. I need to take your advice with my collection.

[@clintongodsall9943]

Thankyou so much for making this video. It is 'amazing' and the one single very best video on the subject matter. All 5 tips are concise and to the point. I Applied them to my collection When condensing my 'grails' to a single 3 glass shelf, 4 tier display cabinet. Particularly tips 3 & 4. Your so true It Hurts, yet I have found my center pieces & looking at each statue I have truly kept the ones I adore with ❤ the most and giving them the entire shelf space where needed to sit alone and breathe, really has strengthened and highlited each individual piece, and allows in their own right to have the desired attention focused solely on them. I have now kept all of my collection to inside the display case. My collection is now of very very little amount. Yet, You have helped me strengthen my collection by my adopting a 'minimal' sense of thinking 🤔 to the pieces I own and in doing so I have only increased the emotion value I hold for each of them. Each staue is very endearing to me. Thank you so very much. You advise and help has been so beneficial. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@DVDVAMPIRE01]

Tip # 6: Own a really, really large home.

[@kevdeovideo]

I had my first display room in a den that was part of my first apartment. It's totally doable, albeit with way fewer pieces. That setup was great, because I only had room for stuff I LOVED. I kept my collection very focused.

[@The_micro_bro]

This video helped me out ALOT. Thanks for the help.

[@kumarannamalai680]

Just got my first statue and was looking for pointers....really enjoyed your video. Like your style. Subscribed

[@TheRendar]

Great tips, keep up these videos!

[@JoseLuisHernandez-un6eg]

Please make a part 2 of this video 😬 talking about space distribution, matching colors, height variations,etc.

[@CECFanOffical]

Awesome video! I collect Chuck E. Cheese memorabilia. I love these tips! Helps a lot.

[@Auriel17]

thanks! i just got 3 pieces from warcraft that i love and i was setting up the display thanks for the tip! :D

[@donnasaud5108]

THANKS DUDE! that was soo helpful 👍

[@kevdeovideo]

Glad it helped!

[@camrynhamme]

Would love to see a full tour at some point. And been wondering what are the shelves that you have your blade runner blasters in called/ where are they from.

[@kevdeovideo]

Those shelves for my blasters are Ikea Billy’s, with morliden doors and glass shelves. The Billy frames are basic, but they do the trick for small stuff.

[@nathanhenderson1471]

Good input. Makes sense!

[@magomerlinog]

Hey thanks for these suggestions. I'm making my room and I'm uncertain between making my displays in white or black. In my opinion black seems to be more serious and professional but with the white the lighting will be better for sure. Any suggestion about this? Thanks.

[@jedifyfe]

Great tips

[@mujone]

Hey brother great video and tips. Waiting to see a full on room tour video. Also what pieces do you plan on selling?

[@BronxCollections]

Love it man

[@kevdeovideo]

Thanks dude. Way more incoming.

[@jarheadjunkie4032]

Great video. Ill be checking out your others.

[@kevdeovideo]

Thanks bro. More to come.

[@mpetrinobassist]

Great video man! Thanks for the tips! Just one thing tho, the ring lights in your glasses look creepy lol

[@Vdubjer]

Love it. Exactly the kick in the butt I needed! So, thanks for the links too, but I can’t find the doors you have. Any help there with a name?? Thanks in advance!

[@carlosaponte1331]

Great tips 🔥🏆🙌👏👏

[@TheBronzeFly]

Some excellent advice although I wouldn't say Ikea makes anything of high quality. So important to showcase your statues in top end cabinets.

[@retroboyone3577]

Best tip of all right here ! Make sure to have your own house and a least one room just for your collection or your collection will just push you right out the window 😉😆

[@kevdeovideo]

ahahahaha

[@geekroomlife5850]

love the video, solid tips

[@kevdeovideo]

Thanks man. Video on display lighting coming soon!

[@sweetcalamares]

This is the best display I've ever seen, and I've seen all of KZbin's best. Amazing work, I really wish there was a frameless alternative to the Tombo doors nowadays... the new frames cover a lot... don't know which route to go.

[@kevdeovideo]

I know man, those new doors are tricky. I've been toying with picking a few up, but condiering just doing my new shelves with PAX. Which, for the record, I'm not thrilled about.

[@sweetcalamares]

@@kevdeovideo I feel ya, I'm thinking about getting deep besta's and just having a guy who works with glass design some high quality frameless doors for maximum visibility

[@1u5e-Y]

I only got a display case so I dont have to dust every week. Now its like 4 times a year. Totally worth it. I also dont have to worry about friends kids opening and touching them at gatherings. I need to get lights, but ive been too lazy.Good video overall. I agreed with all of them.

[@Fifty34]

Good Video! I can only agree with you.

[@Nator316]

What about would it be better to get a wood display instead of detolf glass since I’ve heard horror stories of the glasses unable to handle the weight and breaking. I’m getting a house and have space to place display

[@oliverbrooks5955]

Ever since 2020 I was collecting funko pops and other stuff and I’m still collecting to this day

[@studlygrish]

I have 5 major display areas 1. Danger room display- marvel select danger room parts 2. New York streets- 5 ft of buildings and streets 3. Sentinel prison camp.Four sentinels all surrounding A cage with Hydra soldiers on top of the cage and mutants inside and out. 4.Canada . Canadian mountain picture with trees and snow on the ground 3-D objects and Alpha flight and wolverine 5. Dark caves. This is the mole man’s layer with all his monsters and Moleoids

[@arni7810]

Great video and pointers, I wish you showed more of your displays to have more of a visual idea. Maybe a walk around your. Lol thanks

[@kevdeovideo]

I have an old quick-tour video up, but I agree. I'll have to do a longer tour video soon.

[@arni7810]

@@kevdeovideo perfect.. I'll check it out. Ty

[@oddeagle1968]

Great tips. If one pretends the small white lights are your eyes, it makes it kinda cool.

[@undamned]

Great tips! I totally agree that displaying your stuff shouldn't look like a big pile. You talk about selling off stuff you don't love. I agree, if it's taking up space in your display. However, if it's a game that you don't love but has rapid value growth, just pack it away somewhere safe, outside of your display.

[@holliday9416]

hi, i like to collect transformers figures, and they are very colourfull figures, so i wish u could advice about the apropiate colour of the shelfs, i dont like white for example and im not sure about black becouse the light loses som intensity buti will hear you!

[@ivorytower99]

I believe the phrase he is looking for when displaying a piece - amongst "50" other pieces, is *rest period*. This way, the eye can have blank space around a piece and remains the focal point.

[@vdubpowered]

doing 4 as we speak. I'm willing to get rid of 3 ok things for 1 awesome thing

[@RIJIT]

YES! The shit DRIVES ME BATSHIT crazy to see ppl with 20k 30k hell some even 100k worth of collectibles........but in or on some janky ass display! And the over crowding! Great video and I hope other collectors take ur advice

[@WetaWeirdo]

I don’t want my collection looking like any episode of hoarders

[@cristoforonapoli9239]

that han solo is the coolest

[@raul350raptor]

The overcrowding and neutral lighting for me are 100% the number one thing. I’ve seen amazing collections that start using that dumb multicolored rainbow stuff and wow does that take away from the statues so much.

[@dantooinebase]

Very true indeed. Also, thanks for featuring an older iteration of my display. Guess that makes me a pro? 🙈

[@kevdeovideo]

It looks pro, thats for sure.

[@dantooinebase]

Thanks :) the collection has moved and changed a good bit in the meantime. And I'm breaking those rules constantly, even though they're true (although I don't consider my line of helmets on top of the Detolfs as breaking the display :D). Not that much of a pro after all I guess ;) Still appreciate the nod!

[@leekronforst4589]

Flea market score floating shelves rule!

[@2011gearsfan]

Also do you have a good link for them carbonite Han Solo display you have ? I tried to find the DIY videos but no real good instructions or kits . Thanks!! Subbed!

[@kevdeovideo]

I scored my fiberglass kit on evilbay. Had to figure out the build for myself, but drop me a line if you have any questions on the build

[@2011gearsfan]

Okay thanks! I saw a guy on Etsy selling the kit. My question would be how the hell do ya build the actual frame of it all? I would just be guessing the dimensions haha

[@kevdeovideo]

I made mine from a wood door, but only so that it could be used as a door. When I moved, I just pulled the hinges and displayed it on the floor. The RPF has some threads on more accurate builds, sides/electronics, etc

[@bluesnaggletooth1660]

So true. It’s best to keep the lighting neutral. Plain white, nothing fancy. Let the collection do the talking.

[@tomohito26]

What do you use for your display lighting? Yours looks really nice.

[@kevdeovideo]

I used Ikea Inreda LED spotlights. The older style ones can be aimed, which is sweet. I'm actually doing a video on lighting specifically, should be out in a week or two.

[@tomohito26]

kevdeo Awesome! Can’t wait to see the video!

[@Mallory16]

Bah, my display isn't overcrowded... on the top two shelves. I mean, sure, especially on the bottom shelf, some of the things in there are almost impossible to see, and yes, the easier-to-see stuff is the stuff I find more important, but yeah, I don't want to get rid of any of them ;_; And I really like the stick-on puck lights. I like the ambiance they give off.

[@Fletch85uk]

What's the best white (color temp)? Or is that down to personal preference? I hate warm white.

[@kevdeovideo]

It is personal preference, but generally stick to 5600k (daylight) or 3200k (tungsten/warm white). Avoid whites around 4200k

[@Endo-uu8mo]

thats why i need a extra Room👍

[@MikoDarkblade]

I totally agree with point 4 ... When looking at people displaying their collections and it's 50 figures in a tiny Detolf shelf I am totally turned off...

[@2011gearsfan]

What sort of shelving/housing are your helmet pieces on in the background? It looks like it’s actually inside the wall, rather than just a cabinet. And it looks like it was purposefully built for that many spaces?

[@kevdeovideo]

Hey man, the dark shelves are Ikea bestas, with a few tweaks. I WISH they were recessed in the wall, that would look great.

[@kevdeovideo]

They are just fit into a cutout that gives that look. They barely fit, it was a close call.

[@2011gearsfan]

That’s awesome! I saw some other guy used puck lighting that can angle it down to give ITV a good shadow

[@Marvelbricks123]

Where did the Han Solo carbonite come from

[@pizzaboimaclaughlin1249]

The dislikes are from hoarders. Lol

[@614mc]

I just started collecting Transformers 😮

[@macchoudhry5868]

The light glare / reflection in the glasses is pretty distracting. Good info though 👍🏽

[@brettrossi89]

My friend in high school had a secret booger collection hidden behind a picture.

[@DV91]

It’s really hard to follow step #1 because there is not ikea where I live.

[@risksandhope1849]

my collection... is rocks...

[@sade281]

Yooooooooooo cool stuff but can’t mess with that ikea crap!! Those ikea cab is deft trash but your looks cool good vid

[@kevdeovideo]

My bestas are the old version, much heavier. New ones have become cheaper, which is a bummer.

[@rochelled2298]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@mattelias05]

Couldn't agree more. There's nothing worse than seeing expensive pieces on yard sale bookcases. Why spend thousands of dollars on a collection if it's gonna sit on mismatched crap.

[@sharonthompson672]

They don't have to be mismatched. I have nice solid cases in different wood tones. I'm painting them all to match. 👍

[@LadySeraphineCC]

I have been looking for display shelf that doesn't cost me an arm and leg

[@eclecticcollector]

When you going to do a room tour !!

[@kevdeovideo]

I know, I will at some point. It would be a marathon!

[@tecnisdaimondm.g9321]

👍

[@AuthenticGucci]

I did #3 and #4 recently selling all my old pieces for stupid cheap because I have more Rare pieces that I want to display.

[@gundamech146]

Thats funny man led lights that over a dollar lol i was thinking to buy some once i view this tips omg i was thingking 2yc lol

[@jays5379]

I already broke rule #2. Lol. Thx my.msn.

[@zaunglus]

Some examples other than ikea would have been nice

[@akraftw3rkorange]

so...TASTE. got it.

[@jerickmagtalas]

New friend here sending full package of huge . See you in my little homie

[@sergiojimvi1]

Dude I loved this video but you gotta get your glasses off they distract a lot by the reflection of the rounded lighting you have. Nice vid!

[@kevdeovideo]

Video is a bit old now, that lighting setup is no more!

[@Endo-uu8mo]

i smashed out all my detolfs

[@JohnDoe-bz4yl]

I would hate to see how much you have spent on your collection even though I love them all

[@smash72cutlass30]

Stay away from tungsten, halogen, and incandescent lighting. Too much heat. Custom LED ribbon even RGB ribbon for different color effects is the way to go. You can custom to the size of your cabinet and the versatility of the light itself is unmatched, and endless all within your budget.

[@angluna5]

one tip dude please please please if you're gonna use the circle light don't use glasses, looks awful all the light been reflected in the glasses, use some contacts or banish the light with some bouncers.

[@TheDaycareAssassin]

Step three means I need a new house or downsize.

[@Nernage]

Lol, what makes think that I’ll ever have guests? :|

[@aloistrancy9204]

So be rich? Cool guess i just cant collect stuff😐

[@andrewnguyen114]

yeah these advices that he gives don't seem that good. He literally don't do this or don't do that when it is our own collections. Dude really think we all have money like him to be spending money on high quality lights

[@RickOoi1971]

Because all my money was "invested" in my collectionS

[@theSilentCutter]

less is more.

[@brib9716]

Great advice but, dude, you gotta change up your facial lighting situation. Or maybe not wear glasses while filming. Reflectionsssssss.

[@kevdeovideo]

word, I hear you.

[@uniquelyme7662]

Not every one can afford expensive shelves. some collectors are lucky enough to even be able to collect some items. I’d rather spend my fun money on just my collectibles then expensive shelves I can’t afford. You don’t need to be so judgmental about shelving

[@kevdeovideo]

I hear you, just sounds like a difference of opinion. If a collector can afford thousands of dollars in pieces, then they can likely afford $500-1k for decent shelving. I see it as a fundamental piece of the collection, not a add on.

[@micahrbee8958]

Not to be rude, but these really just seem like five opinionated tips. Some people love packing their collection into cubby shelves like sausage casing.

[@kevdeovideo]

For sure. But, those people usually have rough looking collections. Flea market look is no good. That's just my take.

[@mcocsmackdowns8924]

Lighting tip for video- Take off your glasses.

[@kbuttstadt]

Take your glasses off! Your light is really reflecting in them and we can't see your eyes. You don't need to see anything in this type of vid. Take them off!

[@kevdeovideo]

Addressed long ago my friend, as seen in the rest of my videos. Thanks for the comment!

[@BipolarCorner]

This must be for the rich arrogant collectors

[@kendallwg3615]

Great tips