Some people collect stamps, coins or other items that can be neatly tucked away when not being enjoyed by the collector. Others collect dolls, little shoes, model cars, particular home décor accents and other items that they feel MUST be displayed – prominently – in their home.

While this can be frustrating for the non-collector in the home, the good news is that there are ways to display the items without sacrificing the look of the room. Here are some tips on how to tastefully display almost any collection.

1. In it’s Place First, you’ll have to convince your collector to be reasonable. While you’re supporting his need to display the collection, it’s not fair for it to be everywhere. Unless your collector is lucky enough to have an entire room dedicated to his hobby then the collection should be assigned a certain spot within a room. Once a spot has been agreed upon then that is where the collection should stay. You may choose to make the collection the focal point of the room, or you may opt to have it in a corner or even behind a row of bookshelves. Whatever you decide, though, the collection should stay in its place.

2. Light it Up Some collections look great when properly lit. Of course, this will depend on the type of collection, but consider adding lighting to add drama to the collection display. Spotlights and under cabinet lights are just two of the many possibilities that exist for lighting the collection.

3. Mirrors Again, depending on the type of collection, mirrors can help make your display look more pulled together. A decorative wall mirror place behind your collection will add depth and interest to the display. If your budget is limited, there are plenty of places to find discounted wall mirrors for a bargain price. If you want to make the collection a focal point in the room, adding a mirror is a great way to make that happen.

4. Frame it In If your collection is such that it can be displayed on shelves on one portion of a wall, consider placing a frame around the entire collection. This will give cohesiveness to the entire collection, and make it look like one piece of wall art. Choose the thickness of your frame based on the amount of wall space the collection takes up. More wall space = thicker frame. A frame that is too thin for the display will get lost visually and will not have the desired effect.

5. Hidden Potential If the collector isn’t concerned so much with openly displaying his collection as he is with finding a place to keep it within reach, then this option might be great for you. Consider creating a sort of wall within your room using freestanding bookshelves . The nook that is created behind the bookshelf will make a perfect (hidden) spot for the collector to store his treasures. This will keep the collection out of sight, but in easy reach. Whether you choose to hide the collection or pair it with decorative wall mirrors to make it the centerpiece of the room, there are ways to live with the collection without having to live with a poorly decorated room.