And you’re the curator

become a design feature in your home if displayed with flair.

Think how special seemingly mundane objects appear when placed in a stage-like setting, such as under glass or elevated on a pedestal.

Compartmentalising objects in shadow boxes or on shelves is another useful tool. Some small treasures can be directly mounted on a wall, giving them an art installation quality. Don’t forget lighting – from above, behind or underneath – to highlight the colours and forms of your collections. Tips for creative storage

■ Include a visual surprise: Paint, paper or line the back of shelves or inside trunks, cupboards and drawers.

■ Steal wall space from traffic areas, such as hallways or above furniture, for shallow bookshelves.

■ In children’s rooms, encourage young bookworms by using wire racks or picture ledges to store books so their covers can face invitingly outwards.

■ You can’t beat a bit of repurposing for some creative storage, for example old drawers (turned on their side) or wooden crates piled up and fixed together to make a sturdy and unusual shelf unit; vintage suitcases, which look great in a stack; a cracked but toonice-to-toss pitcher for makeup brushes or a tiered cakestand for nail polishes; antlers for draping jewellery and scarves. ■ Wire baskets are perfect for corralling sports equipment. Some hobby items, such as surfboards and guitars, look great wall-mounted, which also helps to free up floor space.