Related Articles
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Often, it’s easier to preserve a memory than the small tokens kept to remind us of it. Movie stubs, concert tickets, notes, and photographs can easily be tucked away in a forgotten corner and left susceptible to damage – no matter how much sentimental value they hold. Rather than letting these token become just more bits of clutter (or worse yet, lost altogether), shadow boxes offer an aesthetically pleasing way of organizing and displaying treasured pieces or memorabilia.
Shadow boxes go beyond the capabilities of a basic frame due to their depth. Ranging from one to three inches deep, shadow boxes are design to hold both flat, and three-dimensional objects. The box’s glass cover and rectangular wooden structure still give it the display capabilities of a frame, but the overall boxy build gives you more freedom to arrange objects in unique ways, rather than simply inserting them into the dimensions of a fixed space.
The depth of the shadow box you choose should largely depend on what you plan on displaying. If you want to showcase photos, tickets, and notes, then you won’t need two inches of space. However, if you want to fill the shadowbox with wine corks, shells, or small knick-knacks, then a greater depth is necessary.
Another factor to consider when selecting the right shadow box is the backing material. Some will have fabric backings – whether it be soft linen or textured burlap – that let you use push pins to keep your momentos in place. Others may have cork, which also facilitates push-pin use but offers less aesthetic uniqueness. Some may have just a wooden backing, making those shadow boxes better-suited for holding decorations like sand, shells, or corks, instead of objects that need to be held in place with an adhesive.
When it comes to safekeeping, shadow boxes let you openly showcase treasured memories while also preserving them and keeping them out of harm’s way. With the great variety of available depths and backing materials, you have the ability to get creative with your displays.
