Over the years, many of us have started, dropped, and even revisited collections. Some people may collect simple items like stamps while other could gather more unique items such as licenses plates. I have always enjoyed collecting, but it can be challenging displaying your items or even expanding your collection. Join me as I provide advice and inspiration to help you start and improve your own collections!
Tips for Collecting
As you collect, you collection will continue to change and be presented with different issues. For some, you may just be starting while others could be struggling to find space to display their growing collection. Depending on where you, check out my these different topics as you address your current issue or look ahead to plan the future of your collection!
Starting
As with many things, one of the hardest actions is getting started. It can be difficult to decide what you wish to pursue. This is the most important aspect, so spend some time considering what you enjoy. Collections are a great way to apply your passions and interests into tangible things! If you are unsure, start a small collection and evaluate if you wish to continue. You can also continue a collection handed down to you to either complete it or keep it up to date. It may also be hard to commit money and space to a collection. This will always depend on the type of collection, but it is a major aspect to consider. I can promise, however, once you get passionate about a collection, you will find ways to budget funds and space.
Expanding
As your collection is established and continues grows, it is important to define your collection. You may have a general collection, but it can sometimes be too broad of a category. Therefore, you should decide what of your collection you wish to focus. For example, if you collect watches, you can decide a type, brand, or series you wish to pursue. There is nothing wrong with branching out, but it can always be good to have a main focus or a few types to keep your collection organized. It is also vital to find efficient ways to expand. This includes searching for sales, if applicable, and doing research. You should always look for good opportunities to grow, but avoid getting scammed out of a desire for a rare item.
Displaying
Displaying is a great way to appreciate your collection as you can see it each time you enter a room. There are many different ways to display a collection, but shelves are always a great method. As they sit upright, you can use minimum space while place your items on it. You can also find specific cases designed for your collection. This will vary, but always research and see what appeals to you. As an example, you can make a binder with special sleeves for card collecting. With expansion, however, you will eventually run out of space. If you wish to continue, you may have to comprise room space or obtain another shelf. Therefore, it is always good to look ahead and find methods to expand display space before you experience a lack of space.
Ideas and Inspiration
As your address these issues, you may be looking for some inspiration on how to create and improve your collection. To provide some help, I will explain my collections and share their story and how I maintain them. Collections, however, can vary in size depending on the item and how much you wish to collect. Therefore, I will highlight the my smaller quarter collection and my larger LEGO collection.
Small Collection
Like many people, I collect coins. For me, however, I particularly collect quarters from 1999 and onward which present special engravings. These quarters each have special designs depending on the series and state/person. I started this collection when my grandfather passed down his quarter folder for the 2010-2021 America's National Park quarters. Since then, I have attempted to complete this folder while also going back to get all the 1999-2009 States and Territories quarters. Recently, I have also started collecting the newest series of the 2022-2025 United States Women quarters.
As a smaller collection, I display my quarters in special folders. Though I cannot always see the coins, I do efficiently store them while using very little space. I expand my collection
by checking for the designs of quarters whenever I receive one. If I wanted, I could purchase missing designs, but part of the joy for me is personally finding or receiving the designs over time. My collection could always expand to even older, basic quarters or different coins, but I currently desire to complete the present series before branching out.
Large Collection
In my childhood, I would occasionally receive a LEGO set like many of you. Now that I am older, however, I have sought to continue this collection. As many people know, LEGO is a plastic building toy which allows you to make your own creations or specially designed sets based on different licenses and themes. I do not have a particular LEGO theme I collect as I tend to get whichever sets interest me.
As a larger collection, I display my sets on shelves. Though it can vary depending on the shelf, I mostly group sets by main theme on my main shelf (photo to the left). I will, however, place smaller sets or custom displays in a variety of places, such as my desk. It can be
challenging finding space sometimes, so I will occasionally deconstruct and store sets to make space for newer or previously removed sets. One of the biggest issues with larger collections though is the price. This is especially true with LEGO. Therefore, I always look out for sales and true consider my purchase before making it. Unless it is a highly anticipated set, I always wait for sales as they tend to receive 20%-25% to even 50% discounts before LEGO retires them. As an additional bonus, LEGO can serve as a semi investment by selling older sets in the future, providing money in the future. My collection, however, will likely continue to grow as I discern how I wish for it to expand.
I hope you were able to gather some useful tips and ideas from my experiences as a collector. Just remember, however, it is your collecting journey! Collect, expand, and display however you want. Also, while it may be tempting, avoid comparing your collection to others. Instead, see other people's collections as inspiration to where you hope to go!
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