Most collections do not stay one size for long. You start with a box of 28mm infantry, add a few heroes on 40mm bases, pick up a monster on an 80mm base, and then someone gives you a 54mm display figure for your birthday. Put them all on one shelf at random and the small models vanish while the big ones block everything behind them. Mixed-scale displays need a little planning, not a bigger cabinet.
The short answer: group models by base size and height, give each group a stand built for that size, put the smallest models at the front and highest tier, and treat one large model per shelf as the centrepiece rather than mixing big figures into rows of infantry.
What counts as a mixed-scale collection?
Scale (28mm, 32mm, 54mm) describes the height of a human figure, while base size (25mm, 32mm, 40mm and up) describes the footprint. A mixed collection usually has both problems at once: different heights and different footprints. Planning around base diameter first is the most reliable starting point because it decides what physically fits on each tier.
Should you mix scales on the same shelf?
Yes, as long as each scale has its own zone. A shelf that reads as three clear groups looks deliberate; a shelf where a 54mm figure stands in the middle of a 28mm squad looks like an accident. Keep a gap or a change of stand between groups so the eye understands the jump in size.
How do you arrange different sizes front to back?
Small models go on the front and on higher tiers so they sit at eye level; large models go behind or to the side on their own platform. Tall figures placed at the front hide everything else. Our guide to arranging miniatures on a display stand covers the layout patterns in more detail.
Which stand suits which base size?
Matching stand to base keeps every model stable and evenly spaced. This is how our range maps onto common sizes:
| Models | Typical base | Best fit | Slots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infantry squads | 28–32mm | Classic or Classic Mini | 17 or 8 |
| Heroes and characters | 28–50mm | Hero Mini | 5 |
| Elite infantry, staged scenes | 40mm | WarSplay Pro | Varies by size |
| 54mm figures, large models | 40–54mm | Classic XL | 17 (XL Mini smaller) |
| Monsters, cavalry | Up to 80mm | Hero | 9 |
Not sure where your models sit? Measure a base with our base measuring guide or use the display stand finder.
How do you stop big models dominating the display?
Give each large model its own space and limit yourself to one or two per shelf. A single monster on a raised platform at one end reads as a centrepiece; four monsters crammed together read as clutter. Vehicles follow the same rule, as we explain in how to display vehicles and tanks.
Do 54mm display figures belong with gaming miniatures?
They can, but they look best with a little separation. A 54mm figure next to a 28mm squad makes the squad look tiny, so place it at the opposite end of the shelf or on a different shelf at eye height. Grouping by theme (the same faction or colour scheme across scales) ties the display together.
How much shelf height does a mixed display need?
Measure your tallest model including its base and add clearance for your fingers to lift it out. Large figures on a raised tier can need far more height than you expect. Our clearance and tier spacing guide shows how to check before you buy.
Can you mix stands from one modular system?
Yes, and it is the easiest way to keep a mixed collection tidy. Modular stands from the same family share a look, so a Classic for infantry, a Hero Mini for characters and an XL for larger figures sit together as one display rather than three unrelated products. Our stands are compatible with Warhammer 40,000® miniatures and most other games on standard round bases.
Build a mixed-scale display
- WarSplay Classic – £18.95, 17 slots over 5 tiers for 28–32mm infantry
- WarSplay Hero Mini – £11.95, characters on 28–50mm bases
- WarSplay Classic XL – from £14.35, for 40–54mm bases and larger figures
- WarSplay Hero – £18.95, 9 slots up to 80mm for monsters and cavalry
Pre-assembled, precision-manufactured in our UK workshop and dispatched within 2 business days. Compare every size in our size guide or browse the full modular range.
Related reading
- How to Display Miniatures on Your Office Desk at Work
- How to Display Miniature Vehicles and Tanks Alongside Your Army
- How to Arrange Miniatures on a Display Stand
- How to Display Large Miniatures: 40mm, 50mm and Bigger Bases
- How to Measure a Miniature Base
Warhammer 40,000® is a trademark of Games Workshop Group PLC. WarSplay® and Blubbercove Ltd are not affiliated with, authorised by, endorsed by, or licensed by Games Workshop Group PLC. The name is used solely to indicate product compatibility.