Handmade pottery collections have a way of growing. One mug from a craft fair, a bowl from a trip, a vase from a local studio, and suddenly there are thirty pieces with nowhere to go.
A pottery display shelf and a bookshelf are really the same problem: what to put next to what. The answer for pottery is repetition. Pick a family of pieces, similar glazes or shapes, and let them repeat across the shelves. Repetition is what makes a collection look collected rather than random.
Group by glaze, not by type
It's tempting to group all the mugs together, all the bowls together. It usually looks better to group by color or glaze instead. Put a cream bowl, a cream vase and a cream mug together. The varied shapes in one color look like a curated set.
Three glaze families is plenty for one shelving unit: for example, cream, oatmeal speckle and dark brown.
Mix pottery with books
Books give pottery a background and stop the shelves feeling like a gallery. Alternate: a run of books, then a group of two or three ceramics, then books again. Stack a few books horizontally to raise a small piece to a better height.
Odd numbers and height variety
Groups of three or five look more natural than pairs. Within each group, vary the heights: one tall, one medium, one low. Push the tallest to the back.
The right shelf
- Open wood shelves: walnut or oak show off earthy glazes beautifully.
- Glass-front cabinets: protect pieces from dust, good for fragile or valuable work.
- Picture ledges: slim shelves for plates and flat pieces displayed upright.
- Plate racks: for a kitchen collection.
Make sure shelves are deep enough, at least 10 inches for bowls and vases.
A light source
A small lamp on one shelf, or a picture light above the unit, makes glazes glow in the evening. Glossy glazes especially come alive in warm light.
Rotate, don't add
When a collection grows past what the shelves hold, rotate. Keep some pieces in a cupboard and swap them in with the seasons. Dark glazes and earthy tones in fall, pale and green glazes in spring. The shelf stays uncluttered and feels fresh.
Use the pieces
Handmade pottery is made to be used. Keep mugs and bowls you use daily in the kitchen, and display the special pieces. Use display pieces for flowers, fruit or keys now and then. It keeps them part of daily life.
Displaying pottery in different rooms
Kitchen: open shelves near the stove or sink, with everyday bowls and plates mixed with a few special pieces. Use them and put them back.
Living room: built-in shelves or a bookcase, mixed with books. The best place for vases and sculptural pieces.
Dining room: a plate rack or a sideboard with a few large platters displayed upright behind.
Bedroom: a single small shelf with a bud vase and a small dish for jewelry. Just two or three pieces.
Entry: a large bowl for keys on a console table, a small vase beside it.
Spreading a collection around the house, rather than cramming it onto one shelf, lets each piece be seen.
Buying pottery with a display in mind
When you're choosing new pieces at a craft fair or studio, think about what you already own. A piece that matches one of your glaze families will slot straight in. A completely different color might be beautiful on its own but can make the whole shelf look disjointed. It's fine to buy it, just plan a separate spot for it.
Keeping pottery safe
- Museum putty under pieces on open shelves keeps them from sliding if bumped.
- Keep heavy pieces low.
- Dust with a soft brush or dry microfiber cloth.
Mistakes to avoid
- Grouping by type rather than color. Looks like a store.
- Every piece a different glaze. Pick families.
- Shelves too shallow. Pieces overhang and fall.
- Too many pieces at once. Rotate.
Pottery display shelves FAQ
How do you display handmade pottery at home?
Group pieces by glaze color, mix them with books, use odd numbers and vary heights.
What shelves are best for displaying ceramics?
Open wood shelves at least 10 inches deep, glass-front cabinets for fragile pieces, or ledges for plates.
How do I stop a pottery collection looking cluttered?
Choose two or three glaze families, leave space and rotate pieces seasonally.
How do I keep ceramics from falling off shelves?
Use museum putty under each piece.
