Showcase Your Achievements: A Comprehensive Guide to Displaying Medals

Medals are more than just pieces of metal; they are tangible representations of dedication, hard work, and accomplishment. Whether you’ve earned them in athletic competitions, academic pursuits, military service, or other significant endeavors, these tokens deserve to be displayed with pride. However, simply tossing them in a drawer or box doesn’t do them justice. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods of displaying your medals, helping you create a visually appealing and meaningful tribute to your achievements.

Why Display Your Medals?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s consider why displaying your medals is important:

• Motivation and Inspiration: Seeing your medals displayed can serve as a powerful reminder of what you’ve accomplished, motivating you to continue striving for excellence. It’s a visual affirmation of your capabilities.
• Storytelling: Each medal tells a story. Displaying them allows you to share those stories with family and friends, sparking conversations and creating meaningful connections.
• Aesthetic Appeal: A thoughtfully arranged display can be a beautiful addition to your home decor, adding personality and a touch of elegance.
• Preservation: Proper display can help protect your medals from damage and tarnish, ensuring they remain cherished keepsakes for years to come.

Planning Your Medal Display

Before you start hanging or arranging anything, consider the following:

1. Assess Your Collection: How many medals do you have? Are they all the same size and shape? Do you have any other related items you’d like to include, such as ribbons, certificates, or photographs? Take a full inventory.
2. Choose a Location: Where will your display be located? Consider factors like lighting, wall space, and visibility. Popular choices include hallways, home offices, dens, or even bedrooms.
3. Decide on a Theme or Style: Do you want a formal and organized display, or something more casual and eclectic? Consider the overall aesthetic of your home when making this decision. Will your display be strictly functional or artistic?
4. Consider the Space Available: How much wall space do you have, or do you want to use shelves or other forms of display? Take measurements and plan accordingly.
5. Think About Expansion: Will you be adding to your collection in the future? Leave room for new medals.

Display Methods: A Detailed Guide

Here are several methods for displaying your medals, each with its own unique advantages and steps:

1. Wall-Mounted Medal Hangers

Description: Metal hangers specifically designed for holding medals, often with multiple hooks or slots. These are a popular choice for their functionality and ease of installation. They are great when you want to show a lot of medals at once, or when wall space is a premium.

Steps:

1. Choose Your Hanger: Select a hanger that matches your needs and style. Consider the material, size, number of hooks, and design. There are many online retailers and sporting goods stores that carry medal hangers. Options range from sleek minimalist designs to more decorative options including quotes or custom graphics.
2. Mark the Placement: Using a level and a pencil, mark the desired location for your hanger on the wall. Consider the height and proximity to other wall decorations and fixtures. Ensure that there is sufficient space for the medals to hang without bunching or touching other objects.
3. Install the Hanger: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the hanger. Typically, this involves drilling small pilot holes and attaching screws. For heavier hangers, use wall anchors for added stability. If you are unsure of your ability to install the hanger safely, consider hiring a professional.
4. Hang Your Medals: Carefully hang each medal on the hooks or slots. Arrange them in a way that is visually appealing, perhaps by color, event, or date. Ensure the ribbons hang straight and that medals do not rub against each other.

Tips:

• Use a stud finder to ensure you are anchoring into a solid part of the wall.
• Consider using a bubble level to ensure the hanger is level for a professional appearance.
• If you have many medals, choose a larger hanger that can accommodate them all.
• You can use decorative screws or caps to add a touch of style to the hanger itself.

2. Shadow Boxes or Display Cases

Description: Glass-fronted cases that protect medals from dust and damage, allowing for a more curated and polished display. These are excellent for both display and protection. They work well for medals with more fragile components.

Steps:

1. Choose Your Case: Select a shadow box or display case that is the appropriate size for your collection. Consider the depth of the case and any additional elements such as fabric backing. You can find these at craft stores, department stores, or online.
2. Prepare the Backing: If the case has a fabric backing, decide if you want to keep it as is, or replace it with another color or material. A contrasting background can make your medals pop. A foam board backing can also be used to allow push pins or pins to hold the medals in place without the damage that would be incurred from using adhesive.
3. Arrange Your Medals: Carefully arrange your medals inside the case. You may want to use pins, tacks, or double-sided tape to keep them in place. Consider the spacing and the placement of ribbons. Feel free to add related items such as photos or certificates.
4. Secure the Case: Once you’re satisfied with the arrangement, securely close the case. Double check that the items within the case are secured from shifting or falling over.
5. Mount or Place the Case: Hang the shadow box on the wall using appropriate hardware, or place the display case on a shelf or table.

Tips:

• Use archival-quality materials to ensure the longevity of your medals.
• Consider using a glass cleaner to keep the case free from smudges and fingerprints.
• You can use LED strips to add light to the case for a more dramatic effect.
• For a more cohesive look, choose a case that matches your home’s decor.

3. Medal Boards or Display Boards

Description: A board or plaque onto which medals are pinned or attached. This method allows for a more creative and personalized display. This is an option when you want the most creative freedom in how your collection is displayed.

Steps:

1. Select Your Board: Choose a suitable board for mounting your medals. This could be a corkboard, a piece of wood, or a fabric-covered board. You can purchase a premade one or customize one yourself from craft stores.
2. Prepare the Board: You may want to stain, paint or cover the board with a fabric of your choosing. Make sure the material of the board is suitable for your method of attachment for the medals. If using pins, make sure the board can support them without difficulty.
3. Plan Your Arrangement: Before attaching any medals, plan your layout. Consider arranging them by event, type, or color. You can even draw an outline with pencil if that helps you visualize the final arrangement.
4. Attach Your Medals: Using pins, tacks, or double-sided tape, carefully attach your medals to the board. Ensure they are securely fastened and that the ribbons are arranged to your liking.
5. Display Your Board: Lean your board against a wall or hang it using appropriate hardware.

Tips:

• Use colored pins or tacks to add visual interest.
• You can use small labels to identify each medal.
• Consider adding a photograph or other related items to the board.
• A small border or frame can give the board a polished, finished look.

4. Ribbon Displays (For Medals With Ribbons)

Description: Focusing on the ribbons themselves, using them to create a flowing or patterned display. This method allows you to showcase the colors and patterns of the ribbons, creating a vibrant visual element. This can also be a good way to show medals in a more space-saving way. You can still display the medals with this method, but it can put the emphasis on the ribbon.

Steps:

1. Organize Your Ribbons: Lay out your medals and ribbons. Sort the ribbons by color, pattern, or type.
2. Choose a Method: You can drape the ribbons over a rod, hang them from hooks or clips, or braid or twist them into decorative patterns. The choice will depend on the look you want to achieve and the space available.
3. Prepare Your Display Surface: Attach hooks, clips, or a rod to the wall or board. This step will depend on which method you chose in the previous step.
4. Arrange Your Ribbons: Attach your ribbons to the chosen method, spacing and arranging them as desired.
5. Add Medals (Optional): If you want to include the medals themselves, carefully attach them to the ends of the ribbons using small hooks or clips.

Tips:

• Use ribbons of varying lengths to create a dynamic display.
• Consider arranging the ribbons in a pattern or gradient.
• Use clips that are the same color as the ribbons to make them less noticeable.
• This method can be combined with other display methods for a more complex arrangement.

5. Displaying Medals with Other Memorabilia

Description: Combining medals with related items such as photographs, certificates, or other memorabilia to create a more comprehensive display. This approach can tell a more complete story, highlighting the context of your achievements.

Steps:

1. Gather Your Memorabilia: Collect all the medals, photos, certificates, and other related items you want to include in the display.
2. Choose a Display Method: Decide whether you will be using a wall-mounted display, a shadow box, a board, or shelves.
3. Plan Your Arrangement: Lay out your items and experiment with different arrangements. Consider how the items relate to each other and how best to showcase them.
4. Mount or Arrange Your Display: Secure your items in place, making sure they are safely displayed.

Tips:

• Use archival-quality materials to protect your memorabilia.
• Frame certificates or photos for a more polished look.
• Use lighting to highlight key items in your display.
• Consider using different heights and depths to add visual interest.

6. Rotating Displays

Description: If you have a large collection, consider rotating the medals you display regularly to keep things fresh. This method can prevent the display from becoming overwhelming and allows you to showcase all your medals over time.

Steps:

1. Select a Main Display Area: Choose one of the methods above and use it as the main display.
2. Choose Medals for Display: Select a subset of your medal collection to display at a time. You can rotate them every few weeks, every month, or however often you like.
3. Store The Rest: Keep the medals that are not being displayed in a safe and secure place. Use storage boxes, medal cases, or cloth bags to protect the medals.
4. Rotate: Rotate your medals periodically to showcase them all.

Tips:

• Keep a record of which medals are on display and when you plan to rotate them.
• Use the rotation as an opportunity to tell different stories with your medals.
• This method is great when wall space is limited, or when your medal collection is too large for a single display area.

Maintaining Your Medal Display

Once you have your medals displayed, it’s important to maintain them:

• Dust Regularly: Use a soft cloth or brush to remove dust from your medals and their display area.
• Avoid Direct Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can fade the colors of ribbons and damage the medals.
• Handle with Care: Be careful when handling your medals to avoid scratches or damage.
• Clean Gently: Clean your medals using a mild soap solution and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.

Conclusion

Displaying your medals is a fantastic way to celebrate your achievements and add a personal touch to your home. By considering the methods outlined in this guide, you can create a visually appealing and meaningful tribute to your hard work and dedication. Whether you prefer a simple hanger or a more elaborate display, the key is to choose a method that suits your style and allows you to proudly showcase your accomplishments. Remember, your medals tell a story – make sure that story is displayed with care and pride.