Accent Your Antique Displays with a Splash of Red

What Can We Learn From Artists

I have attended many art critiques when the instructor says to a student...you need a touch of red somewhere in your painting. Lo and behold, a little splash of red can really perk up a piece of artwork. The same advice can be offered when creating shop displays of your antiques and collectibles.

Red is a Magic Color

Red seems to be that magic color that brings life to a painting , warmth to a wall and just the right dose of excitement to a three dimensional display. Seasoned shop owners with a flair for design will tell you that taking the time to “style” your antiques and collectibles helps sales.
Customers Like Antique Dealers Who Fuss


Customers like to buy from dealers who fuss with their collectibles. Interesting and attractive shops and booths bring return shoppers. It makes sense that people like to come back to places that are always changing and freshing up their merchandise.

How to Avoid Wimpy Displays

So one secret to share with you is that when you have groupings which are too soft looking or even wimpy....add the color red. Red may be just what is needed to draw attention to a sleepy area in your store. Or perhaps you have just placed together all your pretty aqua collectibles, but notice that the table setting is very soft. Here is where adding a red object can mean the difference between walking right by the display or stopping to examine the collectibles further.

Wake Up Your Customers

Aqua is a very soothing color. So is light blue. In fact, many hospitals paint their labor and delivery suites blue to induce relaxation. But in an antique shop, you want to encourage buyers to “wake up” and spot various items on display. A touch of the color red can do wonders for your displays .

Photo shown above, courtesy of Treehouse Art & Antiques, Canton, CT

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

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Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

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Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.