16 Ways to Display Your Jewellery in a Small Apartment
Get double the use from your jewellery by displaying it in a way that not only keeps it tidy but good to look at too
Niki Bruce
23 January 2018
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my inner-homeowner run free!
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my... More
Gone are the days when you had to hide your jewellery away in a vanity drawer – or a safe! Now you should be using your lovely accessories as a point of interest in your home.
Jewellery pieces can be used to brighten up your bedroom or bathroom, or even as a talking point in your living room. There are lots of different ways to store and display necklaces, rings, bracelets, brooches and pins.
Check out these quirky and clever ways you can use to display jewellery to its best effect no matter how small your apartment is.
Jewellery pieces can be used to brighten up your bedroom or bathroom, or even as a talking point in your living room. There are lots of different ways to store and display necklaces, rings, bracelets, brooches and pins.
Check out these quirky and clever ways you can use to display jewellery to its best effect no matter how small your apartment is.
1. The perfect traditional jewellery display case
This is obviously a purpose-built combination display and storage option for someone who has a great deal of jewellery to keep organised, but also to show off a special few. The mix of shallow drawers, hooks for long pieces and some velvet or leather-clad jewellery display stands works well – if you have the space.
This is obviously a purpose-built combination display and storage option for someone who has a great deal of jewellery to keep organised, but also to show off a special few. The mix of shallow drawers, hooks for long pieces and some velvet or leather-clad jewellery display stands works well – if you have the space.
2. Frame your jewellery as art
The clever addition of a hinge to a picture frame has created a lovely jewellery case that doesn’t take up too much space in a small room, because it’s storage as well as a piece of art.
If you are good at DIY, you can ensure that this ‘artwork’ is not permanently attached to the wall so you can take it with you when you move.
The clever addition of a hinge to a picture frame has created a lovely jewellery case that doesn’t take up too much space in a small room, because it’s storage as well as a piece of art.
If you are good at DIY, you can ensure that this ‘artwork’ is not permanently attached to the wall so you can take it with you when you move.
3. Play with a peg board
Using one wall in a narrow closet allows all the jewellery to be pinned up and moved around as new pieces arrive or others get boring.
By adding some shallow shelving at the bottom, you can store non-hanging type pieces like bangles and belts. You could even pin up some #OOTD inspiration pics as well as scarves and fun mementos.
8 ideas to give your walls more presence (and utility)
Using one wall in a narrow closet allows all the jewellery to be pinned up and moved around as new pieces arrive or others get boring.
By adding some shallow shelving at the bottom, you can store non-hanging type pieces like bangles and belts. You could even pin up some #OOTD inspiration pics as well as scarves and fun mementos.
8 ideas to give your walls more presence (and utility)
4. Sneak in an extra space on your wardrobe
What I love about this idea is that your jewellery is right next to your clothes so you can easily mix ‘n’ match. The narrow cupboard doesn’t take up too much room either, however one drawback would be if you have a lot of rings – it may be a little difficult to hang them in a way that wouldn’t see them falling off and getting lost.
What I love about this idea is that your jewellery is right next to your clothes so you can easily mix ‘n’ match. The narrow cupboard doesn’t take up too much room either, however one drawback would be if you have a lot of rings – it may be a little difficult to hang them in a way that wouldn’t see them falling off and getting lost.
5. Combine your love for decorative items with your jewellery
This neat little nook – most likely an adapted built-in vanity area – has been decorated not only with a handy jewellery stand, but also some lovely ceramics that are being used to store smaller things like rings and earrings. Such a pretty way to show off a few odd heirlooms.
This neat little nook – most likely an adapted built-in vanity area – has been decorated not only with a handy jewellery stand, but also some lovely ceramics that are being used to store smaller things like rings and earrings. Such a pretty way to show off a few odd heirlooms.
6. Custom-made jewellery drawers
These days you can either buy them off-the-shelf, or have them custom made. This is a lovely version of the latter; the double layer of storage means you can keep your everyday favourites on top where you can reach them easily, while more statement pieces lie below. These drawers are also lined with velvet to protect your precious things, and a lock can be added to keep expensive things secure.
These days you can either buy them off-the-shelf, or have them custom made. This is a lovely version of the latter; the double layer of storage means you can keep your everyday favourites on top where you can reach them easily, while more statement pieces lie below. These drawers are also lined with velvet to protect your precious things, and a lock can be added to keep expensive things secure.
7. Create a space in your bathroom
This clever little cupboard (possibly left over from a renovation?) is a neat way to store jewellery in the bathroom. The varying heights and lengths of the pegs allow for versatile use. My only concern would be that the humidity in the bathroom might cause some pieces to tarnish. It’s best to stick to less expensive costume jewellery or plastic/bakelite pieces for this option.
This clever little cupboard (possibly left over from a renovation?) is a neat way to store jewellery in the bathroom. The varying heights and lengths of the pegs allow for versatile use. My only concern would be that the humidity in the bathroom might cause some pieces to tarnish. It’s best to stick to less expensive costume jewellery or plastic/bakelite pieces for this option.
8. Use pretty hardware
The hooks being used in this image are actually coathooks! Have a quick rummage around the hardware store to see what sorts of bits and pieces can be co-opted as jewellery display and organising options. These ones have been given a lick of enamel paint, but if your interior style is more industrial, just grab a bunch of large screws.
The hooks being used in this image are actually coathooks! Have a quick rummage around the hardware store to see what sorts of bits and pieces can be co-opted as jewellery display and organising options. These ones have been given a lick of enamel paint, but if your interior style is more industrial, just grab a bunch of large screws.
9. Anything can be used to display jewellery
This old printer’s tray – used to set the old-style type to print newspapers – has found a new life up on the wall, stacked with jewellery pieces. Head to second-hand stores, markets and even foreclosure sales to see what sort of interesting old fittings and fixtures you can find.
This old printer’s tray – used to set the old-style type to print newspapers – has found a new life up on the wall, stacked with jewellery pieces. Head to second-hand stores, markets and even foreclosure sales to see what sort of interesting old fittings and fixtures you can find.
10. Pin-up girl jewellery display
I totally love this idea. The dressmaker’s mannequin is a great way to show off items like brooches and pins by sticking them straight on to it. Add a few more stiff tailor’s pins here and there and you’ve got spots to hang everything else too. Plus it is super girly and pretty, don’t you think?
I totally love this idea. The dressmaker’s mannequin is a great way to show off items like brooches and pins by sticking them straight on to it. Add a few more stiff tailor’s pins here and there and you’ve got spots to hang everything else too. Plus it is super girly and pretty, don’t you think?
11. The hands have it
These lovely pair of ceramic hands – most likely vintage glove stands from an old store – are perfect if you have a lot of rings to show off and store. While it can be difficult to find ‘hands’ that are as beautiful as this pair, you can easily get wooden versions online from craft stores.
These lovely pair of ceramic hands – most likely vintage glove stands from an old store – are perfect if you have a lot of rings to show off and store. While it can be difficult to find ‘hands’ that are as beautiful as this pair, you can easily get wooden versions online from craft stores.
12. Use vases for display
This is another pretty and clever way to display your necklaces and bracelets. Just find the right shape vase or pot that will fit your pieces – without them slipping off, of course – and you have a lovely layer of detailed decoration for your hallway console. As do all small decor items, they look best grouped together.
This is another pretty and clever way to display your necklaces and bracelets. Just find the right shape vase or pot that will fit your pieces – without them slipping off, of course – and you have a lovely layer of detailed decoration for your hallway console. As do all small decor items, they look best grouped together.
13. Get hooked on your jewellery
This is a fantastic way to use furniture items you already have to display and store your jewellery collection. Simply add a rail under a shelf and then use S-hooks in a row to hang your jewellery off it. It’s neat and tidy and adds interest to your wall. Add more hooks as your collection grows.
This is a fantastic way to use furniture items you already have to display and store your jewellery collection. Simply add a rail under a shelf and then use S-hooks in a row to hang your jewellery off it. It’s neat and tidy and adds interest to your wall. Add more hooks as your collection grows.
14. Use tables
If you have interesting pieces of furniture, like this live edge table, take advantage of the many dips and levels on the top and use them for jewellery. A table like this can sit in your living room or even in your foyer. Add a nice mirror above it and you can quickly pick the right piece of jewellery to go with your outfit on your way out the door.
If you have interesting pieces of furniture, like this live edge table, take advantage of the many dips and levels on the top and use them for jewellery. A table like this can sit in your living room or even in your foyer. Add a nice mirror above it and you can quickly pick the right piece of jewellery to go with your outfit on your way out the door.
15. Keep your earrings in check
This is a very tidy way to store and display your earrings at the same time. Take a nice frame, and instead of a photo or painting, simply cover it with a piece of lace or other loose-weave fabric. Then hook your earrings through – in pairs – and you’re sorted. You can also use this for pins and brooches – as long as they’re not too heavy.
This is a very tidy way to store and display your earrings at the same time. Take a nice frame, and instead of a photo or painting, simply cover it with a piece of lace or other loose-weave fabric. Then hook your earrings through – in pairs – and you’re sorted. You can also use this for pins and brooches – as long as they’re not too heavy.
16. Go bling or go home
If you have some really spectacular pieces of jewellery or limited edition pieces, treat them as true art pieces as they have done here. The quilted wall covering created here is the perfect environment to pin up some major pieces. Running down the hall, side-by-side with other art pieces, ensures your jewellery is treated like the artwork it is.
TELL US
How do you store your jewellery? Tell us all about what’s worked for you in the Comments, and like or bookmark this story.
If you have some really spectacular pieces of jewellery or limited edition pieces, treat them as true art pieces as they have done here. The quilted wall covering created here is the perfect environment to pin up some major pieces. Running down the hall, side-by-side with other art pieces, ensures your jewellery is treated like the artwork it is.
TELL US
How do you store your jewellery? Tell us all about what’s worked for you in the Comments, and like or bookmark this story.
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Thank you for including me in your article. (I am photo number 1). That particular cabinet was 31 1/2"w x 14"D x 78" H and was part of a Dressing Room built into an attic. The cabinet can be altered to many sizes. I have built it 25 1/2" w x 48" high, and a mini version of 14" W x 9" D x 90" H. In my later versions I have also included mirror backing, glass upper shelving and lighting. Everything is made using closet industry materials.
Great write up!
Thanks for the info!