Keep Your Favorite Little Collection Hidden With A DIY Trinket Shelf

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Maximalist decor is still all the rage in 2025, and since trinkets are a fixture of the style, it makes sense that the search term "trinket shelves" is blowing up right now. Many lovers of the opulent aesthetic often display their knick-knacks on bookshelves, set them up on trinket trays around their home, or place them in trendy curiosity cabinets. But if you don't have the patience to snag valuable trinket trays at the thrift store, or would prefer a slightly more unique way store your sentimental items, you may want to turn to a creative DIY project that holds your keepsakes safe. Specifically, you can DIY your own trinket shelf that keeps beloved collectables out of sight — but very much in your heart. You'll only need a couple of things for this craft, including paint and a charming shadow box for all of your treasured keepsakes.

Sure, curiosity cabinets are charming, but they can be bulky and not exactly ideal for those living in smaller spaces. While trays can be a solid alternative, they can also take up a lot of space on countertops and tables. This DIY trinket shelf is especially great for anyone who might collect trinkets but wants to display them in a way that doesn't overwhelm the space. 

Shadow boxes can be a unique way of displaying keepsakes, and they're the star of the show for this project. You can purchase something on Amazon like the Ikee Design Wooden Collection Display Case, or reuse one you may already have. You'll also need paint, heavy-duty Command Strips, and a paper frame. You can make a frame out of a thin piece of cardboard to ensure it fits in your trinket shelf, or you can snag something from Amazon like the VORCOOL Kraft Paper Photo Frames. Ensure that your shadow box has separate compartments, preferably with a range of sizes, to accommodate your trinkets. 

Over on TikTok, user @genevavanderzeil paints their trinket box, and then inserts a paper frame along with a print behind the glass before adhering the box to the wall using Command Strips. You could follow these steps to a T, but you can also play around with different door cover ideas or even paint the door entirely. For more advanced crafters, you might consider a creative way to use decoupage to design the door of your trinket shelf. Rather than inserting an image, you can use Mod Podge to add charming dried flowers to your glass and adhere a white backing cardboard mat against the flowers to conceal your treasures. Your trinket shelf can make a modern or contemporary minimalist decor look seamless as it makes the appearance as a typical art piece, or you can make it stand out with a pop of color and a kitschy image if you lean towards a more maximalist style.