Vinyl records are increasingly finding a place on Australian walls and shelves as well as turntables, with collectors using colourful album artwork to add personality and nostalgia to their homes.

The trend comes amid continuing strong demand for physical music. Australian Recording Industry Association figures released in March show more than 1.2 million vinyl albums were sold in Australia during 2025, generating $46.3 million in wholesale revenue – up 4.1 per cent on the previous year. Vinyl accounted for more than two-thirds of Australia’s physical recorded music revenue.

For collectors wanting to make their records part of the décor, one of the simplest options is to frame favourite album sleeves. Individual covers can become inexpensive pieces of wall art, while several albums arranged together can create a striking feature wall.

Collections can also become decorative features without taking records out of circulation. Open shelving allows some covers to face forward while others are stored traditionally, creating variation and depth while keeping albums accessible.

However, collectors should take care when displaying valuable or playable records. The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia recommends keeping records in their sleeves when they are not being played and storing discs upright in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight, heat, moisture and dust. Records should also be handled only by their edges and centre labels to prevent oils and dirt being transferred to the playing surface.

The National Archives of Australia also warns that vinyl can buckle when exposed to heat or sunlight.

That makes scratched, damaged or otherwise unplayable records a better choice for more adventurous decorating projects. Old discs can be arranged into wall mosaics or painted with patterns and designs without sacrificing a record that might still have musical or collectable value.

With new vinyl continuing to sell strongly and second-hand records readily found at record shops, op shops and markets, the format offers collectors the unusual combination of music, memorabilia and ready-made artwork.