How to display a figurine collection at home

Every collector has a different way of displaying their much-loved figurines. In fact, we rarely see people displaying them in the same way twice. Some group by character, others by maker, and many build a display around a story that’s truly personal to them. In this article, we look at the main approaches to displaying figures, along with our top tips on space, placement and care.

How you display your figures is a matter of personal choice

Firstly, whether you’re a current or aspiring collector, the good news is that there’s no single ‘right’ way to arrange your figurines. We meet collectors who love to sort by character or storyline. For example, they keep every Wallace & Gromit piece together, so the narrative reads as a set. Others prefer to group by individual film, so all the A Grand Day Out or The Wrong Trousers figures sit together. We also see maker-based collectors who might keep all their pieces apart from other brands entirely, treating the maker’s catalogue as its own world.

Colour-based grouping is another common approach, particularly with ranges that include seasonal or limited-colour variants. They may be displayed based on which figures are currently the most collectable. And then there’s the personal story angle: a shelf built around figures bought on specific trips, given as gifts, or collected to mark a particular year. None of these approaches is more valid than another. The right method is whichever one makes the collection feel coherent to its owner.

Whatever route you take, displaying your collection is a great way to maximise enjoyment of the figures you’ve lovingly collected.

Spotlight on how you might display Robert Harrop figures

The Robert Harrop range is a good example, since it spans so many different character worlds under one maker. Wallace & Gromit pieces suit a display that follows the films, perhaps grouped by scene or moment. Beano Dandy figures lend themselves to character pairings, such as Dennis and Gnasher shown together, or a full cast lined up as a homage to the comic itself. The Doggie People range, being breed-specific, often gets displayed by breed for owners who collect figures matching their own dogs, or as a general scene.

A collector with several Robert Harrop ranges might keep each range in its own section of a cabinet, using the maker as the overall theme while allowing each character world its own space. Others prefer to mix ranges and instead group by mood or setting, placing a Wallace & Gromit piece next to a Doggie People figure if the two simply look right together.

Our top six tips when displaying your figurine collection

Here are our handy hints for designing or improving your display.

1. Give each piece room to breathe: one of the most common mistakes in figurine display is overcrowding. You might want to show it all, but when shelves are packed too closely, individual pieces lose their impact, and the eye struggles to settle on any one figure. Detail work, such as painted expressions or textured clothing, gets lost.

 We always recommend leaving gaps between figures, even small ones, as it really helps each piece read as its own object rather than part of a blur. And this matters even more with figures that have a clear narrative pose or expression, since the space around them gives that detail room to stand out. A collection doesn’t need to fill every available inch of shelving to look complete.

2. Choosing the right display furniture: understandably, glass-fronted cabinets are a popular choice because they protect figures from dust and handling while keeping them fully visible. They also allow for adjustable shelving, which helps when working with figures of different heights.

Open shelving offers more flexibility for rearranging and suits collectors who like to change their display often, although it does mean more regular dusting. Bookcases can work well for larger collections, particularly when broken into smaller sections rather than treated as one continuous run.

Smaller grouped displays, such as a single shelf or a dedicated corner unit, suit collectors who want to showcase a favourite subset without displaying the entire collection at once. This is often the best option for growing collections, as you can add new pieces in a focused space rather than diluting an already large display.

3. Make it personal: breaking a collection into smaller clusters, whether by character, colour or memory, usually makes for a more engaging display. A grouping might centre on a favourite scene, a pair of characters who belong together, or figures collected during a particular period.

Varying the arrangement rather than sticking to a strict row also helps. Staggering figures slightly, turning some at an angle, or placing a smaller piece just in front of a taller one can add depth without needing much extra space. The goal is a display that reflects how you feel about your figures.

4. Height, depth, sightlines and background: the height and depth of your figures matter too, if you want to avoid smaller figures being hidden or characters looking flattened against the back panel. When you’re putting your collection on display, move around the room and check it from different viewing points. Choose a plain wall or a neutral cabinet backing, if possible, as a busy wallpaper will compete with your figures for attention.

5. Protecting figures from light, damp and knocks: to avoid any of your figurines getting damaged, it’s important to know that they can be very susceptible to sunlight, which can fade colours over time, particularly on resin and ceramic pieces. Position a display away from windows, or at least out of direct sun for most of the day, to preserve the original finish. Likewise, damp and heat are not your friends when it comes to figures; avoid bathrooms, kitchens, or rooms with poor ventilation. It’s also worth thinking about where a display sits in relation to everyday household traffic. Shelves near doorways, close to where pets or children pass, or on unstable furniture all increase the risk of a figure being knocked. A slightly less convenient location that’s more stable is usually the safer choice.

6.Lighting your display: good lighting can give your display the real wow factor. Some display cabinets come with built-in lighting; often LED strips, which spread light evenly across the figures rather than casting shadows. Motion-activated lighting is worth considering too; great for collections that are enjoyed occasionally rather than viewed all day. Colour-adjustable lighting is another option on some cabinets, allowing the tone to be changed. A warm or neutral white tends to show painted detail most naturally, while coloured lighting can be more of a decorative choice for special occasions. LED is a safer choice over older bulb types, since they produce very little heat – particularly important for resin and painted figures.

How to care for your figurine collection

The last thing you want is Wallace with a missing tooth, or Gromit with one ear, so it’s important to take good care when dusting. You’ll still need to dust, even with a glass-fronted cabinet. We recommend using a soft, dry brush designed for delicate ornaments as it’s the gentlest way to remove surface dust from resin or ceramic figures without disturbing painted detail.

A word of caution: painted and finished surfaces can react differently to cleaning products, and what works on one material may not suit another. If in doubt, do check guidance from the figure’s maker, or seek advice from a specialist restorer.

Behind the scenes: keeping boxes, certificates and edition details safe

Remember that, even when your figures are proudly on display, the original boxes, certificate of authenticity and any edition numbering must be stored safely elsewhere. These details matter for provenance, and for limited or numbered editions they can affect value if you decide to sell.

Storing this paperwork somewhere dry and organised, such as a labelled folder or box, is ideal, and some collectors keep a simple written or digital record matching each figure to its edition number and box location, which makes them easier to find.

Rotating figures in a growing collection

Not every collector has space to display everything at once, and that’s normal as a collection grows. Rotating figures for a season or a special occasion while storing others safely keeps your display fresh. It’s also a great way to give each piece a moment in the spotlight. We recommend that storing rotated figures in their original boxes, in a stable environment away from damp and temperature fluctuations.

Find out more about Robert Harrop figures and how to style your home with collectables. If you’d like to build your collection, please view our in-stock Robert Harrop figures or other collectable figurines.