A trophy room can be a place where memories of successful hunting trips are cherished. It can celebrate the beauty of nature, while simultaneously reflecting an individual’s personality. Trophy room design creates a unique space that reflects a sportsman’s passion and history in the great outdoors.
The following are several ways to create an impressive trophy room design:
- Create an inviting space: A trophy room should not have the feel of a museum. Rather, it should be a place to entertain family and friends while showcasing your best work. This can be achieved through the inclusion of sitting areas, desks, tables, a TV or even a pool table.
- Map out a plan for the room: Think about the pieces you would like to display now and pieces you may wish to showcase in the future. It is important that the room features your favorite trophies without feeling overcrowded. As you plan your layout, be aware of stud locations in the walls. In some cases, you may wish to cover the walls with more durable surfaces that can support your mounts. Plywood and fire-rated sheetrock can be applied over walls to allow for trophies to be easily hung and moved in various spots.
- Be aware of windows: Exposure to UV rays harms taxidermy pieces. If your trophy is hung in front of a window, its coloring can quickly fade. Although designers may encourage natural light for showcasing a landscape setting, it is typically recommended that pieces are placed out of direct sunlight. If you have a trophy that is encased in glass, it may be worthwhile to use window films that are designed to block UV light.
- Regulate humidity: Keeping consistent humidity levels in your trophy room is important. Humidity that is too high or too low can take a toll on the quality and longevity of mounted pieces. A setting of 40 to 50 percent humidity is best for trophy rooms. While most modern heat and air systems maintain these humidity levels, it is wise to regularly monitor moisture independently. If additional humidity controls are needed, place them in less visible areas where they won’t distract from your pieces.
- Let there be light: Lighting in your trophy room can be the most important aspect of its design. How a room is lit affects the feel of the room and helps showcase the details and characteristics of your game. Most trophy design teams encourage lighting every 32 to 36 inches along the perimeter of a room, in addition to the use of accent lights. Place lights on a dimmer switch for total control over which areas are highlighted.
For one-of-a-kind trophy room design, Nature’s Design Taxidermy is the place to go. Our business works with all animals, including deer, small mammals, fish, birds and even large, exotic animals. Our professional team will work with you every step of the way to help you build an impressive trophy room of your dreams.