Don't Throw Out Tiny Boxes & Turn Them Into The Perfect Trinket Shelf Instead

Being a collector is great until it starts to feel like your collection is taking over your home. You love your trinkets, and you wouldn't have collected them otherwise. Whether they hail from near or far or were gifts from friends, creative projects, or symbols of distant memories, they mean something to you. Having to hide your trinkets away would defeat their purpose of making you happy. Perhaps it's time to master maximalist decor and put them on display with a trinket shelf, instead. Better yet, DIY your own display! It's as easy as gluing boxes together.

That way, you can show off your treasures while keeping your countertops and work spaces clutter-free. No wonder trinket shelves are gaining popularity in the collector community as an excellent way to display trinkets without cluttering your home. With all kinds of ways to upcycle pieces into collection displays, there are endless possibilities. One such idea is to build your shelf from small boxes you would otherwise recycle.

To build your trinket shelf, you're going to need several small boxes, a strong adhesive, and some paint. Try to arrange your boxes into different layouts and see what you like. Once you've chosen your preferred design, glue the boxes together. Holding them in place with clamps or chip clips may help here. Allow the adhesive time to dry and paint to your heart's content. 

When it comes to crafting your own dopamine decor, color is crucial. Choose a few paint shades that bring you joy. Consider bright and fun colors that will make your room pop. It's also okay to go neutral if you feel your trinkets will stand out on their own. After all, they are the stars of the show. 

Once the paint dries, you can mount your new shelf and decorate it. Figure out which knick-knacks go where and complete your display. If you love your new shelf — and the space it freed up — consider creating more shelves. Some collectors even collect trinket shelves, not to mention there are so many ways to add variety. Build a trinket shelf from an IKEA frame, an old desk drawer, or anything else you have on hand. Get creative with it.