Creative Ways To Display A Vinyl Record Collection

Maybe you’ve been amassing a pile of vinyl since “Thriller” was released, or perhaps you’re continuing to add to an inherited stack handed down through generations—or maybe you’re new to the scene altogether.

The beauty of LPs is their appeal is as auditory as it is visual. “Vinyl records are to an audiophile what trophies are to an athlete: a symbol of passion,” says Amy Vroom owner of The Residency Bureau design studio in Seattle.

Part of the joy in having them is how they’re displayed. Here, ideas from the design pros to maximize your collection for your listening and viewing pleasure.

Curate the Experience 

“Displaying a record collection is an opportunity to create visual interest or a curated immersive experience. A shelf full of records alone is a study in texture, whether organized randomly or arranged by colour. An entire room can be transformed into a visual and auditory experience with a fluid temporal component as memories are triggered by navigating the soundtracks of time past.

“It is important to give the user the space and furnishings that facilitate lingering. Absorbing an entire LP is an opportunity for escape. The optimal record experience includes a cozy chair, a good sound system and room to rearrange the collection for a curated experience. Room should be considered for a small collection on heavy rotation in close proximity to the turntable and lounge chair(s).

“The most alluring presentation of a record collection includes a combination of albums displayed with cover art in view and the majority of the collection arranged side by side, inviting the viewer to dig deeper into the collection. Presenting records facing the viewer at counter-top height is a convenient way to allow users to thumb through a collection.”

Give It prominence

“A record display serves as a constant reminder of your love of music and sound. Any time I can design with my client’s interests in mind, I create more meaningful spaces for them. Finding subtle but imaginative ways to echo a passion for music is an amazing way to integrate vinyl and record players into a space without going over the top.

“One idea is to use a box-like shelf that has the width of a record and sufficient depth to store many albums at a time. You can flip through them like you would in a record shop. Then you can always swap out the first in the group as an ever-changing display. For one project, I selected a credenza with a pattern carved in wood that evokes the lines of a sound frequency. It’s something you might not notice consciously but creates an overall sense of cohesion.

“If someone is a true audiophile, the record player needs to be front and centre. It becomes the heart of the room—whether it’s a night in or a conversation point when entertaining. I always advise people not to put a record player behind closed doors if they want to listen to albums.

Designer Amy Vroom paired a record player and a credenza with a pattern evoking the lines of a sound frequency to create a sense of cohesion.

— Amy Vroom owner of The Residency Bureau design studio in Seattle

Make It Part of the Décor

“You can learn so much about someone by their musical taste, so why not let that shine through in a home. A record display is another way of telling your story to family and friends, adding a very personal element to any room.

“Instead of covering the walls of your living room in art, try a display of record jackets that can rotate as your mood, preferences and décor changes. Many record jackets are quite beautiful, with quite a bit of creative effort put into making them. For a recent project, I installed thin, arrow ledge-like shelves on the walls to exhibit different album jackets. Each one is fun and colourful, and all together they make a bold impact.

“In addition to the main living room, a smaller library or office is a great place to spotlight a record collection. No matter where you put your record player and vinyls, find a beautiful cabinet with open shelves for records below and place the player on top.

“Elevating the equipment, as well as the record jackets, makes it feel special. For a recent project, instead of hiding stereo equipment in a cabinet, we put them on display. This client has a turntable that is so well crafted, it’s truly a work of art, and I am turning their former wet bar into a chic DJ booth.”.

— Phillip Thomas, founder and principal of Phillip Thomas Inc. in New York City

Let Guests Help Themselves

“Vinyl records add a cool factor to a room. For a pre-teen client, for example, we displayed her small collection on her dresser—we didn’t want this display to be too forced.

“Adding a record player in a living room console invites guests to pick a record and keep the party going. Keeping the record player accessible to guests means the music never gets stale. Vinyl has a sound of its own, and letting guests feel free to pick a song is a great way to set the tempo of the evening.

“The record player is a hot spot for entertaining; make sure your guests help themselves to your collection.”

Designer Lori Paranjape placed a record player atop a dresser in a pre-teen’s room to give it just the right amount of attitude.