From storage to display: Putting personal collections on the shelf

Soha Ali Khan once shared that when her mother, Sharmila Tagore, came to stay with them, she was quite puzzled by their home décor choice. Speaking in an interview last year, she explained, “When my mother came to stay with us, she was perplexed by the idea that someone would want to display shoes as works of art in the middle of the room. And that too in see-through boxes, she found it a rather strange concept.”That moment neatly captures a larger shift in how homes are being designed today. Walk into modern urban homes, and you’ll notice it instantly. Spaces no longer look as if they’ve been lifted straight out of a catalogue. That idea is quietly fading. Homes now feel lived-in, layered, and unmistakably personal. According to interior designers, display culture today isn’t just a décor trend—it’s emotional, less about perfection and more about presence.Shelves are opening up, cabinets are becoming transparent, and personal collections are finally stepping into the light.From storage to self-expressionInterior designer Priyanka Mishra sees this change daily in the way clients approach their spaces. “Instead of hiding books, heirlooms, or objects collected over the years, homeowners now want them to be seen,” she says. “Open shelving, modular cabinetry, and layered display surfaces are doing more than storing objects — they’re shaping a room’s personality.”Books add rhythm, ceramics bring texture, and travel artefacts introduce colour and memory. Storage, décor, and personal expression are no longer separate ideas — they overlap.While minimalism still has its followers, Mishra notes that many homeowners are choosing spaces that feel layered and intentional rather than pristine and perfect. “People no longer want homes that look untouched. They want rooms that reflect their journeys, tastes, and memories. It’s about thoughtful curation, not excess — personality instead of perfection,” she says.Kripa Patel Joshi, a digital content creator who collects perfumes, shares, "When people see your collectibles, they instantly understand what you love and your sense of taste. Because I’ve collected so many perfumes, people can experience my personal style through them. Even the first row of bottles reflects my mood — it’s usually what I’m feeling or loving that week. Displaying collectibles today is very much a form of identity expression."Décor that tells storiesFor Bangalore-based homeowner Manvi Gandotra, displaying her collection was about letting her home speak. She and her husband realised their travel finds were turning into memories locked away in boxes. That didn’t feel right anymore.“Now, Turkish plates sit alongside Portuguese blue-and-white tiles, a Sri Lankan mask, batik art, and Kashmiri embroidery from my home state. Some pieces were picked up together on trips, some were gifted by friends, and a few — embroidery I made myself — are deeply personal. Seeing them every day brings those moments back instantly,” she says.“Each object holds a place, a feeling, a chapter in our lives. The home feels less like a styled space and more like a living timeline,” she adds.When collections take centre stageDisplay culture isn’t limited to art or antiques. For sneaker collector Nikhil Thomas, it’s a bold expression of identity. What once lived in scattered boxes now occupies a dedicated corner of his home — sneaker crates stacked neatly, pairs arranged by colour, and lighting designed to spotlight each one.His love for sneakers goes back to childhood, when his father, working in Dubai, would bring home surprise pairs. That influence never faded. Speaking about his collection taking centre stage, Thomas says, “Sneakers are always on trend, and collecting and displaying them is both a style and an identity. I’m always proud of my collection. Every day, when I walk past it, it makes me happy and even makes me want to buy more.”Many Hot Wheels collectors are bringing their toys into plain sight, turning them into décor through wall displays, glass cabinets, and DIY shelves. “I keep my carded Hot Wheels in my walk-in closet, organised by brand. The open ones are in a glass cabinet, while loose cars lie on tables and windowsills,” a Reddit user wrote.Decor that sparks conversationAcross these homes, display isn’t about showing off. It’s about showing life. Whether it’s travel artefacts, books, art, or sneakers, what’s on display reflects where people have been and what they value.The impact is visible in the way guests respond. In Manvi’s case, conversations don’t start with furniture or finishes. They begin with questions — Where is this artefact from? — and slowly unfold into shared stories of travel and memory. “It makes people slow down, notice details, and share their own travel stories, which is exactly what we love about having these pieces around,” she says."When I was creating my beauty room, I planned the interiors with my collectibles in mind. At the moment, I collect perfumes, and earlier I collected sunglasses, so I created dedicated display cabinets and custom storage to showcase them properly. My collection definitely influences how I design my space — I want it to be functional, but also visually beautiful" - Kripa Patel Joshi, a digital content creator"The sneaker display always sparks conversation. They’re stacked perfectly in the corner, and anyone who comes home goes straight to them. I’m always happy when guests just say ‘wow’ — that’s a sneakerhead feeling, being super proud" - Nikhil Thomas, a sneakerhead"Design today is less about hiding life and more about celebrating it. When thoughtfully displayed, personal collections bring soul, depth, and continuity into a space — something no closed cabinet can ever replace." - Priyanka Mishra, an interior designer