Some of our most treasured possessions aren't flat. A grandfather's war medals, a hard-won marathon finisher's medal, a christening bracelet, a lock of hair or a spray of pressed flowers from a wedding bouquet all carry enormous meaning, yet they tend to end up tucked away in a drawer. The good news is that displaying three-dimensional keepsakes is far easier than most people imagine. With the right frame and a little care, you can turn those objects into a beautiful piece of wall art that tells a story every day. Here's exactly how to frame medals, memorabilia and keepsakes so they look their very best.
Why a deep box frame is essential
A standard picture frame is designed to hold something flat, like a photograph or a print, so the glazing sits just a few millimetres above the artwork. The moment you try to fit a raised object into it, the item presses against the front and can be crushed, scratched or left looking cramped. This is where a deep box frame, or shadow box, comes into its own.
A shadow box has extra depth between the backing and the front glazing, creating room for objects to sit comfortably and cast a gentle shadow, which is where the name comes from. That little pocket of space is what makes a memorabilia frame feel considered rather than crammed. It's the ideal home for:
- Military and service medals, badges and insignia
- Sporting medals, rosettes and race numbers
- Commemorative coins and collectable pins
- Pressed flowers and dried bouquets
- Baby keepsakes such as first shoes, hospital bands and hand or footprints
Our Box Range is purpose-made for exactly this. With a substantial 25mm moulding and roughly 35mm of internal depth, it gives medals, coins and other raised treasures plenty of breathing room while still looking neat and elegant on the wall.
Use a mount to lift and separate your items
A mount (sometimes called a mat) is the card border that sits between your keepsake and the frame, and it does far more than look smart. In a box frame, a mount lifts your items away from the glazing and creates clean, defined spaces between them, so a row of medals doesn't merge into an untidy cluster. It also draws the eye inward and gives each piece a little breathing space, much like the gaps between paintings in a gallery.
If you're displaying several objects together, a mount with cut apertures keeps everything tidy and balanced. For a softer, layered look, you can browse our frames with a mount already included, which takes the guesswork out of pairing the right border with your frame.
Arranging and securing your keepsakes
Before you fix anything in place, lay your items out on the open backing board and play with the composition. Take your time here, as this is the fun part. A few pointers:
- Plan the layout first. Try a symmetrical row for a formal medal display, or a relaxed, staggered arrangement for mixed memorabilia.
- Lead with the hero piece. Position the most important item, such as a gallantry medal or a key trophy, slightly higher or centred so the eye lands on it first.
- Use removable adhesive pads or archival double-sided tabs for lightweight, flat-backed items like coins, badges and pressed flowers. These hold firmly but can be lifted later without damage.
- Reach for small pins or hooks to loop medal ribbons over, keeping the ribbon on show rather than hidden behind the medal.
- Add a tiny stand or acrylic block to prop coins or three-dimensional keepsakes upright for a bit of extra presence.
- Handle metal with clean, dry hands or soft gloves, as fingerprints can tarnish medals and coins over time.
Whatever you use, favour methods that are gentle and reversible. These are heirlooms, and you'll want to be able to remove or rearrange them in years to come without leaving a mark.
Choosing your finish: black, oak or white
The frame colour sets the whole mood of the display, so choose one that flatters the contents and suits your room.
- Black is smart, formal and timeless, and it makes gold and silver medals really pop. It's a classic choice for military and sporting displays.
- Oak brings natural warmth and works beautifully with vintage pieces, pressed flowers and keepsakes in country or traditional homes.
- White feels fresh, light and contemporary, and it's lovely for baby keepsakes or delicate mementoes in a bright, modern space.
Each finish in our Box Range carries the same generous depth, so you can pick purely on the look you love.
A safer, shatter-resistant front
Every one of our box frames comes with a clear plexiglass front rather than glass. This matters more than you might think. Plexiglass is significantly lighter, which makes a fully loaded memorabilia frame easier and safer to hang. It's also shatter-resistant, so there's no risk of broken glass falling onto precious medals or delicate keepsakes should the frame ever be knocked. For a display you'll treasure and want to keep safe, it's simply the more sensible choice, and it looks every bit as crisp and clear.
Hanging your display securely
A box frame holding metal medals or coins weighs more than an ordinary picture, so give it proper support:
- Use a fixing rated for the weight, and screw into a wall plug or timber stud rather than relying on a plaster-only fitting.
- For heavier displays, two hooks spaced apart keep the frame level and spread the load.
- Check it hangs straight with a spirit level, and hang it away from direct sunlight and damp to protect the contents for the long term.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of frame do I need for medals?
A deep box frame, or shadow box, is best. It provides the depth medals need so they sit comfortably behind the front without being pressed flat.
How deep should a shadow box frame be?
For medals, coins and most keepsakes, around 35mm of internal depth is ideal. Our Box Range offers roughly this depth with a solid 25mm moulding.
How do I secure medals without damaging them?
Use removable adhesive pads or small pins for the ribbons. Both hold items firmly yet let you rearrange them later without leaving a mark.
Is plexiglass better than glass for a memorabilia frame?
Yes. Plexiglass is lighter and shatter-resistant, so it's safer for a heavier display and won't break onto your treasured items if knocked.
Ready to give your medals and keepsakes the display they deserve? Explore our Box Range of deep shadow box frames, or browse all our frames to find the perfect fit. Every order comes with free UK delivery and a 30-day returns promise, so you can frame your memories with complete confidence.