How to present your magazine collection as decoration

Fine china, matchboxes and vinyl records are all popular collectibles that are often displayed in homes – so why shouldn’t your magazine collection get the same treatment? Instead of throwing away your magazines after you’ve finished reading them, save them for future reference. Keeping your magazines for their iconic covers, special editions or as a valuable reference doesn’t mean you have to keep them in a dusty box.

Think beyond the classic magazine holder: Whether you collect vintage magazines or are simply looking for a place to keep your favorite monthly subscription, there is a way to use your collection as a stylish decoration that you can enjoy every time you walk by it.

Organize bookshelves

Bookshelves are, of course, great for displaying books, but they’re also a fantastic choice for magazines. Isabelle Heikens, a lifestyle influencer on TikTok, posted a series of videos about her purchase of 180 vintage Martha Stewart magazines. In one video, she shows how she displayed her collection—a small bookshelf in the corner of the living room that she called the “Martha Nook.” Heikens organized the magazines by month, making them easy to find when you’re looking for a specific issue. Another great lesson from her video is to combine other items with the magazines when designing the shelves. She used books, cookbooks, candles, houseplants, and mini Dutch ovens to make the space extra cozy and themed.

Stacking and styling

Magazines can be stacked just like coffee table books and arranged on coffee tables, end tables and sofa tables. If you have space on a table, put some in a vertical stack and others in a horizontal stack and arrange them around the table so that the spines are visible from different places in the room. Just like with bookshelves, you can organize them by month, brand, color or theme. Complete the table design by adding items like trays, vases, candles and books. You can also place small items on top of the magazine stacks to make them feel more like part of the decor.

“I love collecting magazines – and since I collect many different ones that I consult frequently, much like a lawyer might consult case studies, I need to organize them by title and date. This type of magazine organization also reinforces a visually appealing pattern,” says David Mann, founder and principal of MR Architecture + Decor. “At home, I’ve mixed these groupings with objects that add another layer to the compositions.”

Framing a cover or page

Magazine covers and pages can be works of art themselves. Anything from a vintage illustration to your favorite celebrity or even an inspirational article can become a piece of art for your space. Mat and frame a cut-out cover or page to hang anywhere in your home, as you normally would with artwork. Make a series of several frames, or add just one to a gallery wall with other framed artwork. Choosing mats and frames that complement the colors and style of the magazine will determine whether the finished look is subtle and minimalist or bold and maximalist.

Use wall-mounted displays

There are truly countless options when it comes to wall-mounted displays for magazine collections. Of course, there are classic wooden magazine holders, but more modern options are available as well. From clear acrylic to shiny gold metal, there are many options that will help you display your magazines beautifully and neatly to match your design style.