12+ Creative Ways to Hang Your Medals

For many of us, medals are more than just shiny pieces of metal. They represent sweat, discipline, memories, and moments when we pushed past our limits. Whether it’s from sports, running marathons, military service, or academic competitions, medals deserve more than being tucked away in a box. After over 20 years of helping people with home design and personalized displays, I can confidently say that the way you hang your medals changes how you feel about your accomplishments every day.

The good news is, you don’t need to settle for boring hooks or cluttered drawers. There are countless creative, stylish, and practical ways to display your medals that fit your personality and space. Below, I’ll walk you through 12+ unique ideas, each designed to give your medals the spotlight they deserve.

1. Classic Wall-Mounted Medal Racks

The most traditional yet timeless way to hang medals is with a wall-mounted rack. These racks are designed with sturdy horizontal bars where ribbons and medals slide easily. The advantage is simplicity—you can fit dozens of medals in one compact area. Many racks come with motivational words like “Stronger Every Day” or “Finish What You Start,” which add extra meaning to the display. Choosing a rack with multiple tiers allows you to separate medals by year, sport, or event, making the collection more organized while keeping the wall clean and stylish.

2. Shadow Box Frames for a Museum Feel

If you want your medals to feel like treasured artifacts, shadow boxes are a brilliant option. A shadow box is a deep frame that lets you mount medals inside with space to include race bibs, photos, or even signed memorabilia. Instead of just hanging medals loosely, this method turns them into curated pieces of art. You can choose a uniform grid layout for a formal look or arrange them at playful angles for energy and movement. The depth of a shadow box also keeps medals dust-free, preserving them for decades.

3. Wooden Display Boards with Hooks

For a rustic, handcrafted look, wooden boards with hooks work wonderfully. A sturdy plank of reclaimed wood can be fitted with small pegs or metal hooks to hold each medal individually. This method lets you spread medals across a wider area rather than stacking them tightly. It’s especially striking if you personalize the wood with engraving—like your name, a favorite quote, or the date of your biggest achievement. The warmth of natural wood pairs beautifully with the shine of the medals, making the display stand out in any room.

4. Pegboards for Flexible Displays

Pegboards aren’t just for tools in a garage—they’re perfect for medals too. The perforated design of a pegboard means you can move hooks around endlessly to create different arrangements. If you’re someone who regularly adds new medals to your collection, this flexibility is a game-changer. You can group medals by event, alternate colors, or create shapes and patterns with your ribbons. With a pegboard, your medal display evolves with you, which makes it one of the most versatile methods out there.

5. Coat Racks Turned Medal Holders

A creative repurpose is turning a simple coat rack into a medal display. Floor-standing coat racks with multiple arms allow medals to drape gracefully, almost like ornaments on a tree. Wall-mounted coat racks work just as well, especially for smaller collections. This option is budget-friendly, easy to find, and surprisingly stylish if chosen carefully. A sleek metal rack gives a modern feel, while a vintage wooden one adds charm. With this setup, your medals become both accessible and decorative.

6. DIY Curtain Rod Displays

Curtain rods aren’t just for windows—they can become unique medal holders. A decorative rod installed on a wall lets you slide medals on just like curtains. You can hang the ribbons evenly spaced or let them layer for a dramatic, colorful cascade. Finials at the ends of the rod add elegance and prevent medals from sliding off. This method is especially appealing in living rooms or bedrooms, where the rod can be chosen to match the existing decor. It’s practical, stylish, and easy to expand when your collection grows.

7. Corkboards with Pinned Ribbons

For those who love a casual, creative style, corkboards are excellent. By pinning the ribbons directly to the cork, medals hang neatly while also leaving room for notes, event tickets, or training schedules. This makes the display more interactive and personal. You can choose a large corkboard for a bold statement or several small boards for a modular design. Over time, the board becomes not just a medal display but a living scrapbook of your journey, full of personality and story.

8. Floating Shelves with Hooks

Floating shelves are a smart way to combine storage and display. By attaching small hooks underneath, you can hang medals while placing trophies, photos, or certificates on top. This layered approach creates a full achievement wall that tells your story in depth. Shelves also allow for styling flexibility—you can switch out decorations seasonally while keeping medals consistently visible. It’s perfect for living rooms, offices, or bedrooms where you want your accomplishments to shine without overwhelming the space.

9. Ladder-Style Medal Displays

Leaning ladders have become a popular home decor trend, and they work beautifully as medal displays. A simple wooden ladder propped against the wall offers multiple rungs where medals can hang. The vertical structure is space-saving while still holding dozens of medals. You can paint the ladder in bold colors for energy or keep it natural for a minimalist vibe. This approach feels casual yet impactful, almost like an art installation that doubles as a storage piece.

10. Personalized Acrylic Displays

For a sleek, modern look, acrylic displays are unbeatable. Clear acrylic panels with slots or hooks let medals hang while almost disappearing into the wall, giving the medals a floating effect. Many companies offer custom engraving on acrylic, allowing you to add your name, sport, or inspirational message. This method is especially striking under good lighting, as the medals appear to glow against the clean backdrop. Acrylic displays are durable, contemporary, and ideal for anyone who prefers a polished aesthetic.

11. DIY Pallet Wood Racks

For those who enjoy hands-on projects, turning old pallet wood into a medal rack is both creative and cost-effective. Sanding and staining the wood transforms rough boards into a charming rustic display. Adding simple nails or hooks gives each medal a spot while keeping the overall look rugged and authentic. What makes this approach special is the personal effort—you’re not just displaying medals, you’re building the stage for them. It adds another layer of pride and uniqueness to the collection.

12. Rotating Medal Stands

If you’re short on wall space, a rotating stand is a smart alternative. Similar to jewelry carousels, these stands let medals hang from arms that spin around. This way, you can store dozens of medals in a compact area while still being able to view them all easily. Rotating stands often fit well on desks, shelves, or even nightstands, making them accessible without dominating a wall. It’s a functional solution with a touch of fun, especially for kids or athletes with growing collections.

13. Mix-and-Match Display Walls

Sometimes the best display isn’t one method but a blend. Combining shadow boxes, shelves, and hooks can create a full gallery wall dedicated to your journey. This approach allows you to highlight special medals in frames while keeping the rest neatly hung. Mixing methods also helps fill larger spaces without repetition. Done thoughtfully, a mix-and-match wall becomes not only a medal display but also a personal storytelling corner, where each element adds another layer to your achievements.