There’s a fine, dusty line between “a collection” and “clutter.” You can’t just put a bunch of knick-knacks together on a shelf and call it a collection (although my grandma may not have agreed!).
A collection is curated—a word that gets thrown around a lot in the design world. Curated means “carefully gathered, sifted, chosen, and organized.”
This collection of erasers by artist Lisa Congdon is an excellent example of artful curation.
Here's some easy distinctions between collecting and clutter:
Collections | Clutter |
Each piece is chosen intentionally; pieces are edited so only the most special are included | Pieces are casually/carelessly added; any piece that fits the “theme” is included |
Have special meaning or tell a story | Trivial, meaningless, junky |
All pieces are grouped together | Pieces may be spread around the home |
Are displayed and styled with thought and care | No organization to how pieces are grouped, shown or styled |
A collection can be made up of any items that are meaningful to you or catch your eye, grouped according to what they have in common.
Grouped According to Color
Left to right: Orange consumer goods displayed in Mexico City's Museo del Objeto; blue plate wall via Apartment Therapy; green vintage collection via Living Vintage
Grouped According to Type of Item
Left to right: Hat collection via HouseandHome; artfully stacked books (origin unknown); framed vintage silver napkin rings via French Garden House
Grouped According to Color AND Type of Item
Left to right: Red office supply collection by Lisa Congdon; green pottery collection by Joe Chegia; camera collection via alt.dk
Grouped According to Meaning
Left to right: A collection of magnets by Paige Taylor Evans showcases where she has traveled; jars of game pieces and toys convey a playful personality, via Apartment Therapy; framed heirlooms like these pocket squares give a nod to family history, via House and Home
Displaying and Styling
The most fun part of collecting is deciding how to display your goodies.
Left to right: Large glass jars are a great way to contain collections with small pieces, via redbubble.com via Pinterest; shelves and cupboards are an obvious display for glass ware, as exhibited in Frida Kahlo's magnificent La Casa Azul; and a mantelpiece provides the perfect place for a line up of white ironstone pitchers,
I love an eclectic collection hung on a wall! Such an unusual alternative to traditional artwork.
Left to right: Handmirrors on display via Bedroom Bexley; colorful dustbins adorn the wall via Pinterest; artist Karen Nicol lines her stairwell with fun hangers, via We Are Scout
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