Display accolades in a way that beautifies your interior

A glass cabinet will allow a clear display and protect the accolades from dust.

What you need to know:

Achievements in life are recognised in different ways. One may be awarded a certificate, medal, plaque, trophy as a form of reward. Here are the different ways you can display them at home.

Gabriel Okello took part in a number of basketball and swimming tournaments during his high school years. He has a number of medals to show for his numerous past participations. These are, however, not displayed anywhere in his house. Rather, Okello keeps them somewhere in his bedroom inside a leather suitcase.

Accolades should not be hidden, says Zakiya Wasaka, a life coach working with That Other Angel Ministry organisation. “They are a form of recognition for your hard work and sweat. Don’t hide them,” says Wasaka, adding, “Show them off in your different parts of the house”

Besides, displayed accolades including trophies, plaques and even certificates, can also add beauty to the interior part of the house. So, in case you have a few accolades and you have never displayed them, here are some ways you can do it.

Hang them
One of the best ways to display medals is by hanging them. In case you have a few hooks placed at particular strategic locations around the house, like, around the living room, utilise them for displaying your medals, says Charlotte Karungi, an interior designer based in Mukono District.

For those interested in hanging them in particular parts of the house, Karungi advises that they should seek the services of a builder who can place them in a desired location.

“If, for instance, you want your medals to hang in a certain corner of a room, have the expert fix the hooks in that area and thereafter, hang your medals,” Karungi says.

Place them in cabinets
These are in fact the most commonly used displaying platform. You may have probably visited a home where there is a cabinet with some sort of transparent glass sliding door. And inside it, a variety of accolades including trophies and plaques on display.

“The beauty about these kind of cabinets is that as much as the accolade is on clear display, it is at the same time being protected from dust and other undesirable foreign matters,” Karungi says.

These display cabinets come in different designs, for example, there are those that are completely made out of glass.

For those who opt for glass cabinets, Karen Mpuga, a dealer in antiques and interior designer based in Entebbe town, says: “Be mindful of where you position the cabinet, especially when you have children in the house. If you can, probably choose a quiet location.”

Framing
For those interested in displaying certificates, there is the option of framing and displaying it, says Mpuga.

“These framed certificates are very suitable for display in particular house locations like corridors and for those who have stairs, the frames can be placed along the wall leading to the stairs.”

Some people may wonder if they should frame all the certificates in their possession. “No,” Mpuga says, adding, “Only those that you may find a lot of attachment to, for example, out of eight, you may frame only four certificates.”

Have a custom-made rack
You may probably want to show off your accolades in some kind of special designed rack. If for example, you have a particular wooden stand or frame in mind, share your idea with a carpenter who can make for you one to suit your taste and preference.

Special room
In case you have a spare room in the house that is never used, you can consider the option of utilising it purposely for displaying your accolades. Such a room would be ideal for those with quite a number of accolades in their possession.

Cost of display
• Cabinets in shops and supermarkets in Kampala cost between Shs300,000 to Shs1m. Besides shops, these cabinets can also be found in workshops selling household items.
• Custom made racks can be made by any carpenter. Yusuf Kato, a carpenter in Namugongo, says he charges between Shs400,000 to Shs900,000 to make stands.
•For those interested in having their certificates framed, they can seek the services of either a photographer or an individual who works in a stationery shop to help out. They may charge you between Shs50,000 to Shs200,000. You can opt for different ways to hang your frame. For instance, you may opt to use sticking glue or nail the frame to the wall. However, if you are worried about causing damage to your wall, employ the services of a builder.