77 Visual Merchandising Techniques, Tips and Ideas

I have published this article in 2011 and this has been improved for multiple times. It contains a list of 77 visual merchandising techniques, tips and ideas that I found to be helpful for visual merchandisers.

>The original content is moved here.<

After have open my own self-hosted blog, I decided to move into it with a lot of improvement on the content of this article. It also include ideas about window display, store environment, decoration tips and other important skills that are necessary for visual merchandiser.

I can be a good help for those who are starting to lean VM because it is more on basic things that visual merchandisers do.

The “77 Visual Merchandising Techniques, Tips and Ideas” is available now in PDF format which you can download for free so that you can save it into you smart phone and review it wherever you are, even in the places where there is no available internet connection.

I often update this guide so that it has fresh content to stay tune so that you can get a free copy of the new version.

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10 Tips to Become a Visual Merchandising Expert

What every shop owner ought to know about his silent sales person

  Are you a small business with a retail shop? Do you feel stressed about how to decorate your store? Have you heard about visual merchandising but don’t know how to get it right?

Especially in difficult markets it is vital not only to focus on discounts but providing shoppers with an atmosphere of entertainment and giving them a positive shopping experience. There are two things that help you increasing your sales figures: one is an outstanding customer service, the other is your silent salesperson, visual merchandising.

What are Your Visual Merchandising Tips for autumn and Fall 2011?

The first day of fall is about to come.  Have you prepared your store for this season?

Although not all countries around the world are celebrating the coming season, it is perhaps (I am not quite sure) in the heart of most visual merchandiser to prepare a display for this time. Honestly, I haven’t experience seeing in actual scene millions of maple leaves falling on and covering the ground since birth because I grew and I am living in a tropical country where there are only two seasons, rainy and dry. However, what I usually notice on videos and photo about this season is of course the changes on the color of the leaves of the trees, the pumpkins, the scarecrow and  the harvest. The same concepts are seen in window display and store decoration.

Here are some tips for visual merchandisers in the countries that do not have Autumn and Fall Season:

Discover the 22 Ways to Arrange Your Shelves

Image via RealSimple

1. Use empty picture frames to create visually striking geometric patterns against a wall.
2. A cleverly arranged bookcase can be as pretty as a window view.
3. Borrow a trick from interior designers: Inside a bookcase, use paint that’s a couple shades deeper than the room color.
4. For maximum pop, try arranging the shelves with solid-colored items, like white ironwork or a vibrant vase.
5. Imagine living room shelves as display space for your favorite books, photographs, and family heirlooms.
6. Give bathroom shelves an organized look by grouping together like-colored towels.
7. Use labeled boxes to house odds and ends without a home.
8. Shelve items by type―pots on one level, books on another―for a systematic look to your kitchen.
9. A simple arrangement of classics has the order and stateliness of a library.
10. Style a bookcase with unexpected items, like an eye-catching antique or a porcelain statue.
11. Ordinary items collected in glass jars make an arresting still-life.
12. Organizing a colorful collection of found objects makes an offbeat (and inexpensive) alternative to wall art.

11 (Recycling) Cardboard Inspired Posts You Must Visit

Although some of these posts are purely cardboard art, they would be helpful when you are planning to have something unique and “green” project through recycling cardboard. I have included here the introduction of each post for you to have an overview of which one you would visit first, but I suggest that you would spend time on visiting all of them especially when you are GREEN-friendly visual merchandiser.

100% Recycled Cardboard Interior is Totally Tubular

The British menswear label Smithfield recently teamed up with furniture designer Peter Masters to create an eclectic and 100% recycled interior for their new Manchester shop.

Whose Window Display at The Mall of Gadong, Brunei Has Captured My Attention in 5 Seconds?

Have you ever tried giving yourself a little challenge of searching for some attention-grabbing floor and window display at The Mall, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam to find out whose display is in or out? I just tried it today. Read more>>

22 Examples of Exceptional Exhibit Stand Designs by Activeteam

Activeteam is an exhibition stands design and construction company that creates innovative exhibition stands and provides a complete design, production and management service Europe wide.

I was stuck on their website while viewing their exhibit stand designs portfolio and couldn’t stop myself from clicking each image until I have finish viewing their more 70 examples of exhibit stand design. Read more>>

Lion Brand Yarn Studio’s Displays

According to its website,, the Lion Brand Yarn Studio is a unique retail concept store located in New York City that was opened in November 2008. It is the first and only retail location of the Lion Brand Yarn Company. At the Studio, customers can test-drive selected yarns at studio’s sampling wall, enjoy free demonstrations at the learning bar, and select from a broad range of classes.

Images via Lion Brand Yarn Studio Blog. Click the image to visit the source.