Family heirlooms are worth treasuring. While special consideration should be given to their care, they’re certainly not best served hidden away in a dark closet safe from view and harm.

“Family heirlooms hold an inherent presence that transcends style—they carry history, meaning, and a quiet power that makes them effortlessly relevant in any home,” says Francesca del Balzo, co-founder and creative director of PORTA. “Their richness isn’t just in their design but in the stories they hold, allowing them to layer into a space both visually and emotionally.”

Weaving heirlooms throughout your home can tell the story of your family heritage and add personality to your space. “Family heirlooms help create a complete and settled look full of subtle connections that speak to each client’s personality and interests, resulting in something that feels naturally evolved over time,” says Steven Rodel, creative director of Guy Goodfellow. “These layers create a tension between materials and textures that concocts an uncontrived and timeless interior not harnessed to a single period or style.”

Here, experts share their tips for putting your special pieces on display, so they can continue to build a legacy with every conversation they inspire.

Mix and Match

“Family heirlooms hold sentimental value and a deep connection to personal history, but they don’t always fit seamlessly into modern interiors,” says Rodel. One way the creative director marries various aesthetics with heirlooms is by allowing larger pieces to act as unexpected heroes in the space. That can mean a special place for a large heirloom sculpture or even crowning your space with a passed-down chandelier—even if it contrasts with the overall decor in your room. The juxtaposition can create interest while also allowing these special pieces to shine.  

If you’re trying to make a classic furniture piece work, he also recommends considering an update to the finish through the use of a lacquer or high-gloss application for a fresh look. This can lend a more contemporary aesthetic while still allowing the lines of your heirloom to shine.

Don’t Just Display Them—Use Them!

While it can be a bit nerve-wracking at first, putting your family heirlooms on display can bring dimension and character to your space. “Don’t be precious—eat off your best china, drink out of the crystal stemware, use the coffee table for piles of books and drinks, put your feet on granny’s footstool,” says Rodel. “Use tapestries for walling or vintage fabric to recover a modern chair.”

A set of Palio plates that del Balzo’s parents picked up on a trip to Siena has been a fixture on her table since she was a child. What was once the cause of merry dinnertime squabbles with her brother and sister over which animal they would get has become a cherished heirloom of which del Balzo is now the steward. “I love having and using them in my home, knowing they carry not just memories of Siena but years of stories, meals, and a bit of sibling rivalry,” she says. “I think that most importantly they are used rather than just preserved so that they remain alive and continue accruing meaning through time, touch, and shared experience.”

Rethink How You View  Art

Art doesn’t always need to be hung on a wall or placed in a display case. Think outside the box and display your heirlooms atop countertops, dressers, shelves, and more.

“I have a set of silver vanity brushes that were recently passed down to me, and I display them in our guest room—not just as objects, but as small sculptures of everyday artistry,” says del Balzo. Their weight and intricate details act as a reminder that even the simplest daily rituals still have the potential to be special moments through everyday objects that are truly works of art. “That reflection always slows me down in the best way,” she says. “ My oldest daughter is completely magnetized by them—she sneaks into the room just to look and play with them as if spellbound by their quiet magic.”

Sprinkle Them Throughout Your Decor

Regardless of their fiscal value, antiques often become the most interesting object in a room, says del Balzo. Their continuity and depth are invaluable assets to your space. To make the most of them, sprinkle these special mementos throughout your space, rather than relegating your heirlooms to one area, room, or display case. This might mean displaying china mounted to the wall in your dining room or fine art displayed in your kitchen or bath.

“In my bathroom hang two small paintings of the view from my grandparents’ house in Elba, Italy,” says Rodel. “Every time I look at them, I feel transported—almost as if I’m them, gazing out their window.” Allowing these connections to happen throughout your home can give it weight, warmth, and personality that would be impossible to replicate without this gentle thread, as Rodel says, of memories that only heirlooms can provide.

Play with Past and Present

Rodel says the most successful interiors are less about rigidly sticking to a single era, but instead, about the interplay between past and present. While contemporary decor is often characterized by extra breathing space on walls and surfaces, this can become the perfect opportunity for displaying heirlooms. “A piece from a past generation can sit beautifully within that framework, creating a striking contrast that actually enhances the modernity of the space,” he says. “Whether it’s an antique chair against clean architectural lines, a well-loved silver tray on a minimalist bar, or a set of plates passed down on your set table, heirlooms add depth without disrupting a contemporary feel.”

How to Protect and Preserve Heirlooms

While you might think items with monetary value are more worthy of taking great care of, sentimental value, family history, and a connection to your past can all prove far greater worth. These factors can make your heirloom a priceless memento that’s worth passing down through generations—even if it would land a disappointing appraisal on Antiques Roadshow. Follow this trio of tips to help your heirlooms stay safe and protected for future generations.

Use a Display Case: Some homes might be fine to display delicate items without fear of breaking, but households with pets, children, or frequent guests might prefer to mitigate any potential accidents by placing breakable heirlooms in a display case that still allows the piece to be a central fixture in your home.

Keep Out of Direct Sunlight: To avoid damage including premature fading, keep your heirlooms out of direct sunlight. If you have an heirloom in a room that receives tons of morning light, consider drawing the shades until the space is shaded.

Store in a Temperature-Stable Area: Avoid storing or displaying your heirlooms in areas that are prone to heat, cold, and humidity.