Step 1: Clear Everything Off
Take every figure off the shelf. Every single one. Wipe down the shelves with a dry cloth. This sounds obvious, but most people never fully clear their display — they just shuffle things around. You can't design a new layout while the old one is still half-present.
While the shelf is empty, evaluate the space itself. Is the lighting still working? Does the shelf need repositioning? Is there dust buildup in corners? This is the one time a year you'll have completely clear access, so handle any maintenance now.
Step 2: Clean Each Figure
With everything off the shelf, clean each figure individually. A soft dry microfiber cloth handles most dust. For any stuck-on residue (holiday decoration adhesive, candle soot from December displays), a slightly damp cloth works. Let figures air dry completely before replacing them.
Inspect each figure while cleaning. Look for any chips, scratches, or discoloration from the past year. PLA figures like Labubu Studio editions are durable, but a year of display means a year of environmental exposure. Note any figures that need to be rotated to a less light-exposed position.
This is also the time to decide if any figures are leaving the display entirely. If you've outgrown something or it no longer fits your aesthetic, this is the moment to sell, gift, or store it. A curated display beats a crowded one every time.
Step 3: Design a New Layout
The simplest layout improvement: vary the heights. Use small risers (acrylic blocks, stacked books, wooden blocks) to create different levels within a single shelf. This adds visual depth and lets each figure breathe instead of standing in a flat line.
Group by theme, not by acquisition date. Your Labubu Studio editions can anchor a section with their larger 18×16×10 cm size, while smaller blind box figures fill supporting positions around them. The Studio editions' height advantage makes them natural focal points.
Leave negative space. The temptation is to fill every inch of shelf, but empty space between groups makes each figure more visible and the overall display less overwhelming. If it looks crowded, remove pieces until it doesn't.
Step 4: Set Your 2027 Display Goals
Use the refresh as a moment to think about your collection direction for the year. Are you focused on completing a specific series? Building a Studio edition set? Or are you in 'quality over quantity' mode — fewer new additions, better display quality?
Set a rough budget and space limit for 2027 acquisitions. It's easier to make smart purchasing decisions when you've already decided how many new figures your shelf can physically accommodate. The 'I'll figure it out later' approach leads to overflow boxes under the bed.
Consider photographing your new layout and posting it to collector communities. January display refreshes are popular content, and the feedback can give you ideas you wouldn't have considered.