Guide
Clever, beautiful wall decoration ideas
by Pia Seidel
This home decor hack changes everything
6/10/2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
Do you love home accessories but get nervous about clutter? No problem! Retro display shelves have made a comeback – and they’re ready to turn your wall into a set piece.
Display shelves were huge in the 70s and 80s. Back then, almost every household had one for showing off their little treasures and collectors’ items. Think figurines, souvenirs, model cars, seashells and ornaments.
Why were they in such high demand? Well, they were practical and perfectly matched the interior styles in fashion at the time. These often featured wall units and display cabinets, giving interiors a personal touch. It was common for people to build their own shelves, usually favouring wooden textures or carved details.
Are display shelves making a comeback?
In the 90s and 2000s, display shelves gradually disappeared from home interior trends. Minimalism and clean design took on a new importance, leading many to suddenly see them as dated or busy-looking. Now, the shelves seem to be undergoing a revival. They’re certainly popping up in manufacturers’ and home interior brands’ collections more frequently.
Whatever the story on the fashion front, display shelves work everywhere, whether for storing spices in the kitchen, perfumes in the bathroom or jewellery in the bedroom. They add character and a sense of order to a room by grouping decorative accessories in one place, creating a calming look. With this in mind, I’d go as far as to call them a home decor hack.
5 ways to cleverly make use of display shelves
- Display your favourite items properly: Whether it’s mini vases, figurines, plants or souvenirs, play with different heights, shapes and colours so that your shelf is interesting to look at.
- Less is more: Stick to one colour palette or a clear theme to create a clean look.
- Choose the right place: Display shelves are at their best when they’re not surrounded by other exposed shelves.
- Mount securely: Position your display shelf somewhere out of the way, away from doors or areas with high footfall. That way, you’ll prevent lightweight items such as glass vases from being blown over in a draught or accidently knocked by someone passing by.
- Choose the right shelf: Minimalist, vintage or playful? Go for a shelf that matches the style of your home. There’s one for every look, be it angular, round or organically shaped.
Do you have a display shelf at home? If so, what do you like about it? How have you decorated it?
Header image: Oyoy
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
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