Are you the kind of person who will swat away any hands that come near a still perfectly wrapped figure on the shelf? Or would you rather have folks lifting and playing about with figures and anything else you have on display when they come over?
While I can understand why someone would prefer the former (they cost a ton of money and are delicate!), I tend to think that if you have figures and collectables that can be displayed, then you should display them.
Do you have a box tucked under the bed with collectibles that should be taking pride and placed around the home? Or wondering what kind of things qualify as being shelf worthy in your home? I’m going to list some of my favorite things to have out on display in my home or to see at other people’s places as I believe a sentimental figure has much more value than a vase from Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Game Consoles
You know if you spot an old PS1 (maybe even PS2), Nintendo console or Sega Genesis (Mega Drive as it was known elsewhere) when visiting a friend, talk can lead to it getting booted up, blowing on the cartridges and seeing if you’re still any good at Gunstar Heroes after all these years.
Consoles were made to be played and not hidden away, and I see having an old console out on display on the same level as someone having a vinyl player in a room. They’re spinning the classics and so should you.
Got a little nostalgia buzz for the Genesis? Read a review of Sega Genesis Classics here.
Original Specific Figures
I have a slight issue when it comes to displaying figures, and it lies with one type in particular that rhymes with bop, flop and sop.
I just don’t really get Pop! Vinyl figures. Every time I read about a new release, I shrug a little as I don’t get the appeal. And anytime I see a collector’s wall, nothing stands out as having a little something special about it, although the Pop! Rides series look pretty good when the figurines aren’t apart of it.
Original figures like these transformers toys, no matter what condition they’re in, can work in any space in your home if decorated smartly. They work well when used as separators in rooms where you have big shelves or units that would look over crowded otherwise.
Next time you’re visiting your parents at their home, pull out the old boxes from your childhood, and see if there are any collectibles in there that you can all reminisce about and consider putting out on display.
Diecast Models
Speaking of family, I firmly believe there’s a figure for everyone no matter what their age is, even your elderly grandparents can get in on the action. If you’re ever stuck trying to think of a unique gift for an older relative around their birthday or the holidays, ask what kinds of toys and diecast models they grew up with and enjoyed playing as kids.
Sparking those long-forgotten memories, and then surprising them with a replica diecast model and RC boats, could make for a gift that quickly becomes the pride of any collection on the shelf. When it comes to older cars and trucks, Model Space has a lot of replica vehicles of popular models from years gone by. It’s worth a peruse.
That One Scandalously Priced Item
We’ve all been there, stumbling across an auction for a prop or piece of memorabilia and getting the urge to bid on it. Any day of the week, you can go online and see anything from a $500 prop used in Small Soldiers to an Arkham Asylum key from Batman & Robin. Obviously not the best examples of high-value movie items to show, but there’s something out there for everyone – especially Gorgonite fans.
I say if you’re fortunate to have the money and space to display these props, show them with pride as they make a much better item for people to look at instead of another generic movie poster hanging on the wall. And if you’re a Devil May Cry, check out this cool neon sign by Neon Mama.
Show Your Flair
Got a little inspiration to do some shopping after this? See if you can add a little flair to your jacket with some of these video game enamel pins that cover everything from Fallout to Doom.
What’s your “nerd shelf” look like these days? Feel free to post pictures in the comments or let us know what collection your putting time and effort into.
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