How to Display Hot Toys Figures

Hot ToysHot Toys Guide
By Lee Preswick
16 min. read

There’s nothing quite as amazing as unboxing a new Hot Toys action figure for the first time. And while posing your new figure is part of what makes them so incredible, a challenge for many collectors simply figuring out just how to display Hot Toys figures.

Fortunately, we’re here to help. Below are a few different display options, ranging from low budget and high budget, plus some additional tips on how to make your Hot Toys figures look their very best.

Option 1: Household shelves

There’s nothing wrong with simply putting your Hot Toys figure on a bookshelf, mantle or even a desk. While this isn’t quite as fancy as a high-end display cabinet, you can still achieve a pretty solid effect when it comes to display your collection. One thing to be aware of, however, is that Hot Toys can be unstable and occasionally fall down, so if you are displaying your figure high off the ground you may want to use the “flight pole” accessory that comes with most figures to help provide support.

Option 2: IKEA Shelving

One of the cheapest options for displaying Hot Toys is hitting up your local IKEA and snagging a few of their popular offerings. Two shelving units that are likely going to be give you your best bang for you buck are as follows:

  • IKEA DETOLF: These simple glass shelves remain incredibly popular among Hot Toys Collectors. Each unit contains three shelves and stand a little over five feet tall. They also include the option to add lighting, making them perfect for displaying your 1:6 scale figures.
  • IKEA BILLY & MORLIDEN: Another option is to purchase a combination of the standard BILLY bookshelf but add in a MORLIDEN glass door. This allows for a bit more flexibility with the option for shorter shelves or stacking multiple units.

In both cases, you add lighting using either IKEA LEDBERG LED strips or the MITTLED LED spotlights to help showcase your figures. (For more information on IKEA shelving, check out our blog The 9 Best Display Cabinets for Hot Toys)

Option 3: Speciality Shelving

Believe it or not there are specialty companies that actually produce shelving designed specifically for Hot Toys and other collectibles. Below are a few

  • Wicked Brick: Renowned for their wide range of display cases, Wicked Brick actually offers individual cases for Hot Toys figures or wall mounted stands.
  • iDisplayIt: While the company originally began manufacturing display cases for LEGO, they actually have a solid range of cases for Hot Toys figures.
  • Sideshow Display Case: The official distributor of Hot Toys for North America and much of the world, Sideshow also offers their own display cases that are specifically designed for 1:6 scale action figures.

Option 4: Custom Shelving

If money is no object, then the most expensive route is getting your very own custom shelving units installed. One of the most recognized names when it comes to this level of custom display units is Moducase Cabinets. Using 3D software they’ll design shelves specifically for your collection and display room. Of course, doing so also comes at a hefty price tag and is likely to cost thousands of dollars (or more) for the design, shipping and final installation. The result, however, is pretty stunning, as demonstrated in this Hot Toys display walk through from noted YouTuber Justin’s Collection.

Tips on Displaying Your Hot Toys Figures

  • Avoid Overcrowding: One common mistake among Hot Toys collectors is simply crowding as many figures and other collectibles into a single area. This actually makes the display look quite cluttered, so experiment with spacing out your items.
  • Use Lighting: Natural lighting can actually make your figures look a little dull and miss out on some of the incredible details that make Hot Toys so popular. So for added effect try using as much lighting as possible. As noted above, this doesn’t have to be expensive, and in addition to IKEA there are a number of affordable LED lights available. Just make sure you choose low heat options as you don’t want to melt or damage your figure.
  • Keep It Clean: To get the most of out of your display case, make sure you keep it clean and well dusted. Also try and keep the area relatively well ventilated (see our article How to Clean Hot Toys)
  • Avoid Direct Sunlight: Avoid positioning your figures in direct sunlight as this can cause the colors and paints on your figure to fade over time.
  • Add Some Details: If you go the route of a specialty display case, you can actually mount backgrounds behind your figure that can it help it pop. You can also add related items. For example, a comic book to go along with your figure.
  • Try Different Poses: One of the greatest aspects of Hot Toys is their posability, so be sure to take your figure out and adjust their poses from time to time. This not only lets you enjoy your collection, but also helps ensure it isn’t simply gathering dust. You can also try creating scenes with multiple characters (such as two figures battling) or build out an entire line of figures. The possibilities for display are literally endless, so have fun and experiment.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, a few simple ideas on how to display Hot Toys figures. While there are a wide range of options to choose from, ultimately what matters most is choosing a display that gives you the most enjoyment. Beauty after all is in the eye of the beholder, no matter what kind of shelf you’re using.

More About Hot Toys

Learn more at the links below or visit our Hot Toys Collectibles Guide.

Hot Toys Reviews & News

Check out our latest coverage below or visit our Hot Toys reviews page.

*We are a participant in the Amazon and Sideshow Collectibles affiliate programs, which allows us to earn a commission by linking to products at no additional cost to you the consumer.

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