When Nostalgia Becomes Interior Style

Remember when toys were something you grew out of?

We’re living in the age of the kidult. Adults everywhere are embracing play, nostalgia and collectible culture. From designer figurines and plush characters to vintage toys and buildable sets, the toy aisle is no longer just for kids. Interior trends are finally reflecting the way people really live.

This is bigger than a hobby. It’s a global shift. Nearly 1 in 5 toy buyers today is over 18 and shopping for themselves. The adult collectible market is projected to reach USD 35 billion by 2032.

Collecting is no longer about playtime. It’s about building a personal gallery of joy, memory and personality. Pinterest’s 2025 trend report proves it. Interiors are moving toward maximalism, playful nostalgia and bold self-expression. Think sculptural silhouettes, rich textures and playful design details with a nod to the 70s.

Collecting used to mean shelves of figurines and sci-fi merch. Now it’s about curating pieces that feel personal, stylish and sometimes just plain cute. Here’s what’s trending now:

• Labubu and Pop Mart Blind Boxes
  Pop Mart is streetwear culture in toy form. Limited drops, collectible figures and surprise blind boxes keep collectors hooked. Labubu is the star of the show. These aren’t just toys. They’re tiny works of art with serious shelf appeal.
   
• Sanrio, Snoopy and Garfield
  Your favourite childhood characters are back. Sanrio classics, Snoopy and even Garfield are getting the collectible treatment. Vintage drops, plush collabs and reissued merch are not just nostalgic. They are part of the interior styling game.
   
• LEGO for Adults
  Adults are deep in LEGO life. From architecture sets and Formula One cars to art mosaics and botanical builds, LEGO has officially entered the design world. Once it’s built, it becomes part of the room.
   
• Artist Collectibles
  This is art you don’t hang on a wall. From KAWS to Medicom, artist collectibles bring street culture, playfulness and prestige into everyday spaces. Limited runs, bold designs and cult appeal make them more than just decor.
   
• Anime and Gaming Figurines
  From Pokémon to Final Fantasy, collectible figurines are huge. Serious collectors go next level with glass cabinets, LED lighting and custom displays. This is not geeky, it's gallery-worthy.
   
• Plush Collectibles
  Plush toys have crossed over into fashion and design. Bearbricks, Jellycats, Squishmallows, and Mofusand cats are everywhere. People are styling them on sofas, beds and even in frames.

• Curate, don’t hoard
  Think of your collection in the same way you would think of a playlist, where each piece has its moment to shine and can be rotated in and out depending on how you want the space to feel. When you group items thoughtfully, you create little moments that draw the eye and invite attention, rather than simply cramming shelves full of objects that lose their impact when competing for space.
   
• Pick display furniture that works
  The furniture you choose to display your collection is just as important as the collection itself, because the right shelves or cabinets elevate your pieces and give them the stage they deserve. Open shelving is perfect for everyday favourites that you want within reach, while rare or delicate finds can feel special when placed inside glass cabinets. Buffets and bookcases can be used to store overflow while still looking intentional, and here at Bradfords, we have a full range of shelving, bookcases and display cabinets designed to help you show off your favourite things without ever compromising your space.
   
• Mix it up
  Instead of lining everything up in a row, think about how your pieces interact with the other elements in the room, and try styling them alongside books, vases or art to create contrast and interest. A LEGO build displayed next to a coffee table book can feel unexpected and stylish, while a plush character placed beside a sculptural lamp can add warmth and humour. By mixing different elements together, you keep the arrangement feeling intentional and layered rather than flat or predictable.
   
• Light it properly
  Lighting is often the detail that makes the biggest difference, because with the right approach, small pieces can become big statements. LED strips can add a subtle glow, backlighting can create atmosphere and depth, and even a small spotlight can bring out details that might otherwise go unnoticed, turning your collection into a feature that feels gallery-worthy.

Homes today are more than places to live; they are spaces that tell the story of who you are. They hold the things that make you feel most at ease and most yourself. Collecting as an adult is not about clinging to childhood; it is about celebrating what makes you smile in the present. A favourite character on a shelf, a wall of carefully displayed figures, or a plush toy on the sofa can all bring small moments of joy into everyday life.

Play belongs in adult life because it lightens the serious parts, it sparks creativity, and it reminds us that home should feel personal and alive. Styled with care, collections add personality, colour and texture, turning what could be clutter into a source of comfort and inspiration.

Personalisation is becoming more valued than ever, and collecting naturally fits into this shift because it allows you to surround yourself with pieces that feel meaningful and true to you. The key is not just in owning these items but in making them feel intentional, giving them a place in your home that looks considered and deeply personal.

At Bradfords, we have the furniture and styling ideas to help you create that balance, because collecting is never only about what you own; it is about how you live with it every single day and how it shapes the way your home feels.