How To Display Your Collection Like a PRO (As a Broke College Student) 

Since a lot of people have asked, the black “risers” are just floating shelves from target. I really love how they blend into the black shelves, and they’re all the same height unlike packs of acrylic risers lol. Also, I wanna stay honest with you guys so you have the best info to build your display, so DO NOT use the battery puck lights I used in these videos. I used them for a couple years and deeply regret ever installing them. Stick with strip LED lights or wired pucks, it'll service you FAR better in the long run. Most of the feedback/compliments here are awesomely positive! However I seem to be getting 2 main complaints In these comments, so before you post yours, read this: 1. “You don’t look broke to me, you have to be rich to have that collection.” - it's very simple, I’ve been collecting for *17 years*. Aka my entire conscious life. There’s absolutely nothing “rich” about it. It’s called patience and consistency. You collect something diligently for 15 years and I guarantee you’ll easily have as much as I do, if not way more. When I made this I was working a basic customer service job WHILE paying for my wife to go to school in a 2 bedroom apartment. Life was great, but I was as broke as they come lol. 2. “You’ll have dust everywhere! Just buy some shelves with glass doors”. - I'll be blunt, if you can afford any version of matching glass shelves with doors, you do not need to be watching this video (but you're still welcome to of course lol). if you’re low income like me and need to manage dust, simply minimize airflow in the room and buy an air purifier.

Great vid, in part 2could you help by explaining how I’m supposed to explain the room to my wife? Haha, just kidding, I’m always impressed how awesome she is to support you!

As a Transformers collector myself I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate the amount of effor and the detailed explanation given in regards to how to properly exhibit one´s collection. The presentation , recommendations, tips and examples given are top notch and perfectly apply to any kind of collection. I´ll be sharing this with my fellow collectors. Kudos!

for me as a gunpla collector, i always divide them by their universe, but this is a great tutorial, having to much poses can really make em look chaotic

That robot-mode Unicron as the centerpiece is heart stopping. I can't even get over how good the shelf setup looks in that configuration. Also, it is obvious that you have thought long & hard about placement & grouping, which is something I think a lot of collections are missing. Stellar job, & as a "budget" setup it looks as good or better than many "high-end" setups.

'Sunlight kills collections' What if I collect plants? Checkmate buddy.

To help cut down on the dust. 1. Purchase magnetic cabinet latches and attach them to the inside walls of the display case. 2. Purchase a clear acrylic panel from any hardware store and cut it to your desired size for the display case. 3. Attach the metal part of the magnetic latch to the acrylic panel and mount the panel on the display case. Job done 😀. * For larger heavier acrylic panels add a bracket under the bottom edge of the acrylic panel and attached to the display case to help support the weight.

I'm speechless by this collection. As a Transformers fan and a modest collector, I'm totally blown away. This video really inspired me to try something with my Transformers. Thank you very much.

Glad this shows a Transformer collection, cause that's what a majority of mine is; among other things. Gives me an idea on how to display my Brachiosaurus figure, too, considering it's one of the larger items in my collection

Gunpla builders know a lot of the pain with setting up our built kits for display. Between the different scales, designs, colors, custom colors and kitbashes, dynamic posing... yeah, there is just so much....

That display looks amazing and you certainly made the most out of the space you have. I just finished a long project of cataloging my entire Transformers collection and it inspired me to do something new with the way I've displayed them. I'll have to come back to this video once I've decided what I'm going to display and how I'm going to do it.

This is awesome!!! I’ve been collecting and building different Gundam mode kits through the pandemic, and was just thinking about doing something like this when your video popped up on my feed! Thanks for sharing and for the tips!

The black foam against the window is a great idea. Except when you live in a country that has really hot summers and have a sun facing window just makes the room too hot especially if it doesn't have great airflow to begin with. One way to try and mitigate heat with this setup is to put white foam on the back side since white bounces heat away and black absorbs heat.

One of my main criteria for projects like this is to set up figures in ways where they're not impossible to get at. While you do want to use your space efficiently, I also like messing with my figures. That being said, amazing video. I'll need this once I grow out of my parents' house 😅

You've got a great sense of design and respectable frugality buddy, great job! It's also impressive how you broke down the process clearly enough for beginners while also painfully relatable to fellow collectors who are never done moving things around into that perfect display. Next step is get some art on those walls, I can see you coming up with some creative custom framing to compliment the setup. 🤘

I've watched this video quite a few times over the past few months, and I've been fascinated on how these collection displays are put together. I'm gonna be moving back into my house soon, so once I've gotten everything sorted out, I'm gonna try this for myself after i get all my figures back.

Apparently the algorithm reads minds now, recently I have been THINKING, not searching, about a display setup for when I move. I got some good ideas now, thanks

Wow this must have been so satisfying to see completed 😁 Very beautiful collection and setup 😍

I'm gonna use your video and its bullet points as template when I finally get to the point where I'm gonnabe able to display my MPs the way they deserve it. Thank you for the ideas and inspiration young man! Much appreciated.🙂👍

This is hands down the most inspiring transformers related vid I've ever seen no cap it legit feels like watching a motivational video:) Thank youu! Subbed!

I think it is pretty cool that you took the time and effort and made a video about it. It is very interesting for ppl on the budget. Thanks man!

"As a broke college student" > Starts with over $100 worth of shelving. ...huh.

That’s very creative how you put in all the shelving. I love seeing ideas like this! I have an almost complete vintage G.I. Joe collection and trying to display it all is a nightmare. Everyone who’s familiar with Joes know they came out with some massive vehicles so trying to find a space for those is always a challenge.

8:44 spot on …. That’s what defines a COLLECTION. Had this on repeat setting my DC collection up 🦇🔥

This video was awesome. Great editing skills, voice over. It’s been a long time since I’ve watched a video where I don’t feel compelled to skip.

Impressive! I never heard of puck lights but I am going to experiment with a set. Thanks!

Firstly I just want to say I love your video. Yes the video itself is amazing, very well edited, loved certain shots, the camera work is really good, the transitions and cuts were really well done especially in the end when showcasing all the lights flickering. Now as a collector I too have always had an issue with display set up and this is really just amazing. Personally I don't care of how expensive things are (I obviously am broke and don't have money) but what I mean to say is if its cheap and still looks amazing then who cares ! I personally love your setup and its just amazing. Keep up the great work and you've got yourself a new subscriber, you really deserve millions for the time and effort you took to make this video.

What good timing for this to show up in my feed. I've been slowly collecting figures over the years but things have ramped up in the past year to the point my collection has begun to spread out across my room. I thought "maybe I'll stop collecting for a bit." with all this dwindling space. But that never happened and now with my current obsessions being Chainsaw Man I've realized I really need to make a dedicated display shelf with the way I've already spent upwards of $800 on merch. Don't know why I never considered just getting shelves from walmart like this.

I love looking at what people display and collect. It just says a lot about a person. At least what they’re passionate about. It’s a delight when they display it nicely like this. I don’t know anything about transformers but I would be so impressed by walking into this room.

This video was amazing very inspirational and very unique I really enjoyed the pro tips they actually help a lot, overall great video solid 10/10 loved the edits in this vid to amazing 🔥🔥🔥

I really hope this video pops off one day, so much effort into the editing and such thorough explanation. 😁 Great vid!

Just the perfect video I needed as I just got back into collecting this year!

10:10 One other tip! Amazon makes LED diffusion tracks. It will make your LED lights look like one cohesive bar instead of a bunch of stuck on lights. This really cleaned up the look of my display shelf. Also watch a few tutorials on soldering! I went from ZERO experience to making things around the house cleanly in about 2 weeks. Really nice skill to have in your back pocket as a collector!

Guys I think he likes transformers

I love how this video is structured! Awesome work man👍👍

I wish I saw this many many years ago. Transformer collecting takes up so much and it grows so having some cheaper options that look great is neat to have.

i'm reminded of flower bouquet arrangement. an art that requires balance, symmetry and beauty, resulting in a a complete full package that isn't messy or disharmonious.

*_When you can afford it buy an air purifier, a dry one, not one of those that "washes the air". This will suck up 95%-99% of the dust._*

Wow, that was an amazing display. You did a great job!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing your process!

Bravo 👏 👏 👏 I love to check out collection display videos on RU-vid and I constantly see people with these massive collections displayed with no thought or care behind them that it looks like a kids room. This is a great video describing the do's and don'ts in displaying especially transformers which are some of the hardest to display with their shapes and sizes being all over the place. Hopefully some of these guys out there on RU-vid come across this video.

why are you contaminating that beautiful transformers display with funkos flanking your center piece. big oof

Great video, glad I found it. Long story short, I'm moving and need to redo my display room from scratch. This gave me a lot of things to think about. I was using five tier storage shelves because they had deeper width then book shelves, but I did have figures disappear in the crowd.

The editing is phenomenal, great work on the display. I love it.

Beautiful As a broken student, one shouldn't be spending so much $$ on buying plastic toys. Pay off ones debt so you won't be broke ! Haha

Great narration and editing here man! loved the whole video

I randomly stumbled upon your video as I was about to pack up my ER Scorponok along with the three DNA upgrade kits to sell him. I was just going to turn on some music but decided to watch your video instead. Watching this video helped me remember WHY I love collecting and displaying my collection so much! Thank you for this video.

Awesome fun video very much enjoyed! And didn’t know how much more there is to displaying a collection

Thank you for the inspiration. I used your concept for my Gi Joe collection. I already had the taller shelves and loved the idea of having the two small shelves in the middle. Saved so much room doing this as well. Thanks again.

Well done! I like how you explained each step and what the reasoning was behind it.

I was like “yeah right how professional can he make this look.” Then I saw the results and I was blown away. Great job!

One of the best videos I've seen in a long time. Well done! you deserve a million likes!

Impressive display for what it looks like you paid for it man. Some really great points about displaying collections in general as well. Looking to do something similar myself, but just never get around to it. Will definitely use your tips when I do!

Show off. I'm jealous. Like literally. You make the entire set up so freaking cool!! Awesome video and thanks for the tips and guide! Hopefully when I have enough figures/statues I can do something likethat. Really enjoyed this video!

This video is fantastic! I honestly never really thought about the way I display my favorite things. I have so many things that are from different worlds so to speak; Cthulhu, zombies, 40K, movie memorabilia, comics, comic verse items, action figures, and then there's my miniature art and dioramas. Seeing how you did your display makes me think I indeed can display it altogether if done properly. Thank you. :)

Seriously, thank you for doing this video. We recently moved into an apartment and I’ve been looking for a video like this to tackle the issue of space and low cost for a collection set up. Unfortunately a lot of what you find out there are videos of expensive set ups that are quite honestly too large for an apartment or small space. I tip my hat off to you sir. The set up looks super sleek and the cost is unbeatable!

Really great job on this video. Everything from the layout, construction, and organization is well-thought out and clearly explained. Great job here man.

Love the Dinobot section of your display! They were always my favorite group of Transformers and you displayed them very well.

I just want to say your Transformers collection is DOPE dude 👍🏾 great video!

A lot of love went into this project and also to the filming, and it shows, very well done

Excellent video. Very clear and in-depth directions. I loved it.

Awesome vid, you’re making me rethink how I’m going to set up my collection when I have my own place

Love the display! This video kinda got me more motivated to work on my mess lol. My gunpla/anime figures/bishojo figure shelves are absolutely cluttered and really needs reorganisation.

I can certainly relate. I have 41 transformers myself and they are all the most recent ones. Fortunately my closet was large enough to hold most of them. The others (who are in alt mode) sit on my secondary dresser.

Congratulations. Your video and diplaying mode are very good and give me some ideas.

Agree with everything you said here except the point on posing. Many action figures look amazing on dynamic poses. Also big kudos on the color. Thats something most collectors forget. Anyways great work, and amazing collection. It came out perfect!

Love this video I don’t see many videos like this especially for Transformers I’ve never seen something done so well this is a more up to date on how to display think this look great and there is just the right shelve space

Super nice video. Hardest thing with collection for me is the dust. When shelves are not sealed god damn all the dust stuck in the cracks makes you rethink reality

Best figure and transformer collection I have seen. Great job show casing your collection for the cost!

That was such a good video, really helped me a lot! Thank you

Great video, the presentation and story telling was way above average. Nice tips too!

This is really nice, I love the way it's explained.

What a great video! I do have to disagree on some points such as no bayverse with G1 to keep the same look. I love displaying all of one character together, my shockwaves for example, but I do 100% agree with the size and using risers! I never really though about color either, some very interesting points you made that I will consider for sure!

This video was amazing. Great tips and loved the end result. Also great video and music editing - most impressive.

first of all, beautiful collection. second of all, the setup looks fantastic. i have a small fraction of transformers to setup, but i do have blu rays, and games, and comics to setup also. not going to lie, i already bought the 3 tier shelves, but now am going to get the 5 tier ones and experiment. thanks brother.

For a budget display this is quite extraordinary! I have a star wars lego collection I've just got on a few shelves and wanted to spruce up and this just flooded me with ideas. To be honest I wasted money at ikea for my display and now thinking wow the walmart ones are waaay cheaper and honestly don't need to be fancy to "transform" a room :D

Sick collection, nice shelf. Thanks for the tips.

Really enjoyed this video. I'm gonna take some of your advice to make my setup even better.

Now this is a beast of a display and this was a good tutorial for displaying your collection great job

Ive been looking for a way for me to display my gundams more efficiently and beautifully! thank you for this guide!

I enjoyed that and it looks fantastic, well done.

thanks for the tips. you definitely know what your talking about when it comes to displaying your collection.. and i love your transformers collection!😊👏🏼

This was a really fresh and artistic approach to collecting. Whenever I see examples like you showed at 6:40, it gives me anxiety. I know it goes against the very nature of collecting, but less is more. Embrace negative space.

Great video man thanks for sharing. Took a lot of ideas 💡

When I get back to my Star Wars collection that's in storage, I'm going to implement some of your suggestions. I already have the exact same shelves, but those side displays you screwed in around the window; that was good.

I haven’t seen that unicron figure since I was a child, it was huuuuuge! Thanks for this video, very relaxing and informative

Love the video. So I'm with you. Good low cost tips. For hobbyists, be careful blocking off an exit (like the window). God forbid something happens. For light (like you said), it really hurts artwork as well. So guys get UV coated glass for your art or poster collection.

this guy is saving me financially, thank you so much for the video. I was looking for affordable shelving units.

Really well edited, fun, informational video!

"Broke college student" with thousands of dollars in figures, right.....

Wow absolutely amazing job!!!!!! It looks fantastic!! Hopefully I can get my TF figures to look just as amazing!!!

Wow! This is the most helpful video/ guide I've seen! Thank you. I have a huge Marvel legends collection. Part of it is different spiderman figures and I want them all on one shelf. This helps

Awesome setup. Even more impressed by the editing!

Love this video. I've been saying this for years. Poses and displays matter more than the figures in the display. One thing I want to add, I like to make each sure individual shelf is looking at the same thing. All figures need to be facing one audience location. I want to be able to stand right in front of each shelf and have their eyes line up to meet my eye. It's tough, but does so so much to a display. Creates a "group photo" effect, more than just stacking stuff ontop of each other.

Ur tips on how to style the shelves by heights and colors is an art form!!

Just bought a house where I get my first office and it already has an entire wall of built-in shelving and I AM SO EXCITED for all of my pos and Legos and just stuff to have a designate place. A ME place!!! This video honestly helps me so much!!!!

Thank you for sharing, I have a collection too and keep moving things every month, seeing someone doing it too and explaining it so nicely its cool

Amazing video and great tips!! I love the idea of platforming.. I have so many gundams I need a place for cause they’re all my babies and I’ve given so much time to create them I want my visitors to see what I enjoy

Excellent video, some great tips - thank you!

Great job on the display shelf!

Ok, I just came from an older video amd asked whether or not you keep some of your items in their packaging. Wah-la! Here I see your pro tip that yes indeed, it helps to elevate the look of the display. Thank you. Big help.