Belt Auction

How can I display antiques with out spending a lot of money?

I am developing quite a collection now, and I want to figure out a way to display everything, and have plenty of room for development. Any suggestions?

Public Comments

1. I have a large shelf on the wall in my kitchen. High enough so you can't bump your head on it. The wood is a 12 foot long 2 x 12 which we left outside to weather for a year. I used black wrought-iron shelf brackets to hold it up. It holds a lot of my stuff. White porcelain pitchers, copper pots, baskets, French faience ceramics, etc. I also put my collection of miniature baskets on the wall in the hall bathroom over the toilet fixture. I have about a dozen collectible tin cans along the top of my computer desk hutch (all with a red theme). I have another long wall piece hanging in my dining room over the buffet. It is kind of a antique coat rack with a shelf and hooks under the shelf and smaller hooks along the top above where there are pieces of slate like black board. I have large white coffee mugs hanging from most, and a string of red peppers and garlic on one hook. The bar over my kitchen stove has two old weight machines. One is a postal weigher, and the other is a pharmacist's balance. Put your things where-you-will. If you don't like it there. Move them around. In fact, they say you should rearrange all your stuff every six months to a year so they don't get boring. Not to mention you keep buying more stuff to incorporate.
2. Not knowing what type of antiques you are collecting I can only give you suggestions. I have two display cases. I collect thimbles so I have a case that hangs on my wall with two doors that are clear. I would also suggest a shelf or if you have a window you can always put a shelf up above it to make it look like the curtain is coming out from under it and put your collection there. Then as you build on the collection think of ways you can hang another shelf or two.Try putting up corner shelves. You can always go to a thrift store and look at shelving units or display case for sale. You might have to refinish them but the cost is way less than buy a new one.This is what you could do in a bedroom or guest room. In a living room try putting out items on a table or putting up a mantle type shelf. If you are talking big piece incorporate them into your room as fixtures. Kitchens-if you have space between the ceiling and the cabinets use it to display you items. But items that steam or grease will not harm. I have a wall that is on the other side of the stove and sink area and use it to hang pictures. The shelving can be cheap if you use you head. Look for scraps of wood or drift wood at local beaches.Go to lumber yard and ask for scrap wood. then you can sand it,and paint or varnish it for a great look. Good luck