Most armies live in the dark. Hundreds of hours of painting, packed into foam trays and seen for a few hours a month across a gaming table. Getting a whole force on permanent display feels like a big project — so most people never start. Broken into five steps, it's a weekend job. Here's the plan.
Step 1: Audit what you're displaying
Before buying anything, count three numbers:
- Models by base size — how many on 25–32mm, how many on 40mm, how many larger. This determines what display hardware works; our buying guide explains why base size is the dealbreaker spec.
- Tallest model height — including banners and wings. This sets your minimum shelf clearance.
- Total frontage — roughly, models per row × base width. This tells you how much shelf width the army needs.
Decide too whether you're displaying everything or a rotating best-of. A curated 40-model showcase often looks better than 150 models crammed — and you can rotate squads monthly, which keeps the display fresh.
Step 2: Choose the location
| Location | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Desk or paint station shelf | Current project + recent finishes; daily motivation | Limited space — see our small-space desk showcase guide |
| Bookcase shelves | Full armies on a budget; adjustable heights | Depth and sightlines — covered in our bookcase display guide |
| Standard glass cabinet | The full showcase: dust protection + visibility | Fixed shelf gaps; tall models need planning — see cabinet risers |
One rule overrides all others: out of direct sunlight. UV fades paint and yellows varnish over time. North-facing walls or interior positions are safest.
Step 3: Design the layout
Tiered elevation is non-negotiable for ranked models — flat shelves hide everything behind the front row. Our own measurements put numbers on it: raising a 20mm figure onto a 49mm tier more than triples its visible display height (a 245% increase), which is exactly what pulls a back rank into full view. Beyond that, layout depends on army size:
Skirmish force (10–25 models)
One or two tiered stands. Leader on the top tier, centre. This fits a single bookshelf or desk shelf — see our skirmish display guide.
Mid-size army (40–70 models)
One stand per squad, arranged as the army deploys: troops front, elites flanking, characters centre-rear and elevated. Squad-per-stand also means you can lift a whole unit out for game night in one movement — especially with magnetised bases.
Full collection (100+ models)
Think in cabinet shelves: one shelf per detachment or faction. Big models get the top shelf (tallest clearance) or bookend positions; our large-miniature guide covers 40mm+ bases, headroom and centrepiece placement.
Modular systems make all three layouts the same purchase repeated — WarSplay® stands lock together and support 25mm–100mm bases, compatible with Warhammer 40,000® miniatures and other popular 28mm–40mm tabletop systems. The Classic / Hero / XL size guide maps stand formats to army shapes.
Step 4: Light it
Lighting is the difference between “shelf of toys” and “showcase”. Warm-to-neutral LED strips along the shelf front edge, angled back at the models, avoid both glare and top-down shadows. Matte stand surfaces help here — gloss bounces LED points straight into your eyes. Full setup in our display lighting guide.
Step 5: Protect and maintain
- Varnish before display — satin or matte; our varnish guide settles the great gloss debate.
- Dust monthly — soft brush, five minutes; full routine in the dust care guide.
- Photograph the finished display — you earned it; our phone photography guide gets shareable results with no kit.
Leave room to grow
The most common planning mistake: building a display that's full on day one. Whatever you display now, you'll paint more — the numbers back this up: the 2023 Great Wargaming Survey found almost 41% of hobbyists have between 100 and 500 unpainted miniatures and around 18% have more than 1,000, so the pile that feeds your display only grows. Leave a third of your space empty, choose modular hardware you can extend, and let the empty space do its real job — motivating you to fill it. An army display is never finished, and that's the best thing about it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to display a full army?
Less than one new unit, usually. Modular stands start around £11.95 each and a mid-size army needs four to six; a second-hand glass cabinet plus risers and an LED strip typically lands well under £150 all-in.
How long does setting up an army display take?
With models already painted and varnished: an afternoon. Audit and ordering one weekend, assembly and layout the next — stands that arrive pre-assembled cut this further.
Should I display models I'm not happy with?
Yes — at the back. Old paint jobs document your improvement, and nothing motivates a repaint like seeing it next to your current standard.
WarSplay® is an independent UK brand of Blubbercove Ltd. Trademarks are used for compatibility description only; see the disclaimer in our site footer.