How to Make a LEGO Display Case
Creating a custom way to protect and showcase your LEGO builds is one of the most satisfying upgrades you can make as a collector. Whether you want a fully polished LEGO display case, something bespoke for a rare set, or a cost-effective DIY alternative, learning how to make a LEGO display case gives you complete control over size, style, and materials.
Dust, UV exposure, and accidental knocks are constant risks for open displays, especially in busy UK homes. A proper custom LEGO display case solves these problems while transforming your sets into décor-worthy centrepieces. For builders who prefer premium ready-made cases, brickzonehub.co.uk offers professional alternatives—yet many fans enjoy the challenge, savings, and flexibility of crafting their own.
This guide explains everything you need to know to build a LEGO display case from scratch. You'll learn about acrylic assembly, wooden cabinet construction, safe techniques, recommended materials, and design enhancements like LED lighting. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to design a DIY LEGO display case that fits your model perfectly.
1. Choose the Type of LEGO Display Case You Want to Build
Before you pick up tools or acrylic sheets, decide what style of LEGO display case you want to create. Different case types suit different sets, budgets, and skill levels.
1.1 Fully Acrylic LEGO Display Case
A fully acrylic box—five clear panels and a separate base—is the most popular DIY choice.
This style offers:
360° visibility
Professional, museum-like clarity
Excellent dust protection
It is the best option when learning how to make a LEGO display case, because acrylic can be cut to any size and produces seamless joints when glued correctly.
Perfect for:
Mid-size Star Wars sets (e.g., R2-D2, BD-1)
LEGO helmets
Technic bikes
Botanical Collection displays
If you prefer something pre-sized and professionally finished, brickzonehub.co.uk sells a wide range of acrylic LEGO display case options designed for specific sets.
1.2 Acrylic Cover + Wooden or MDF Base
This hybrid style is ideal when you want:
A premium base (painted, tiled, studded, or mirrored)
A stronger foundation for heavy sets
Additional diorama elements
The acrylic cover protects the model, while the wooden/MDF base adds weight and stability. Many collectors making a custom LEGO display case choose this method for UCS models and Technic supercars.
1.3 Wooden LEGO Display Cabinet
A cabinet is the most furniture-like solution when deciding how to make a LEGO display case for multiple sets or an entire collection. A wooden LEGO display case can include:
Clear acrylic or glass doors
Multiple shelves
Built-in LED lighting
Baseplates or risers inside
This is the best long-term solution for:
Modular buildings
LEGO Star Wars UCS sets
Technic supercars
Large Icons sets like Eiffel Tower or Titanic
Brickzonehub.co.uk also offers ready-made cabinets and premium cases if you want a professional solution without woodworking.
2. Measure Your LEGO Set Correctly
Every expert guide—from DIY creators to brickzonehub.co.uk's case recommendations—agrees on one thing: measuring correctly is the foundation of a successful custom LEGO display case.
2.1 Measure the Full Footprint
Record the length, width, and height of your set, and include:
Antennas
Spires
Turrets
Decorative overhangs
These often catch the edges of poorly sized cases.
2.2 Add Proper Clearance
When learning how to make a LEGO display case, follow the golden rule:
Add 2–5 cm of internal clearance on all sides.
This ensures you:
Don’t scrape the model when lowering the cover
Have room for risers, minifigures, or angled poses
Maintain visual balance inside the case
For example, an R2-D2 display might require an internal size of 30 × 30 × 35 cm.
2.3 Consider the Base Thickness
If you intend to build a wooden LEGO display case or hybrid version:
Add base height to your internal height calculation
Consider double-layer acrylic for heavy builds
Large models like the UCS Millennium Falcon or Titanic require sturdy support—something brickzonehub.co.uk emphasises in its professional case listings.
3. Materials & Tools Required
A successful DIY LEGO display case requires the right materials. Cheap acrylic or improper adhesives result in cracks, hazy seams, or structural weakness.
3.1 Acrylic Materials
You will need:
Clear acrylic sheets for front, back, left, right, and top
Opaque, mirrored, or wooden base
Protective film left on during assembly
Thicker acrylic (3–5 mm) is recommended for larger LEGO display case builds.
3.2 Adhesives & Tools
Essential items include:
Acrylic cement (solvent-based)
A syringe applicator
Clamps and wooden blocks
Sandpaper (fine grit)
Microfibre cloth
Cutting tools (if panels are not pre-cut)
Acrylic cement uses capillary action to create invisible, ultra-strong joints—a key technique when figuring out how to make a LEGO display case properly.
4. Option 1: Build a Glue-Up Acrylic LEGO Display Case
This method delivers a clean, professional look similar to premium cases sold at brickzonehub.co.uk.
4.1 Cut & Prepare Panels
Cut panels to size or order them pre-cut.
Leave the protective film on, peeling only 1–2 cm along gluing edges.
4.2 Dry-Fit the Structure
Before gluing your DIY LEGO display case:
Test-fit every panel
Use wooden blocks to hold 90° angles
Ensure the bottom edges are perfectly flush
Acrylic must align precisely to avoid gaps and leaning.
4.3 Glue the Acrylic Joints
Sequence:
Glue front panel to one side
Glue back panel to that same side
Attach last side panel
Add the top piece last
Pro tips:
Apply glue sparingly
Let joints cure before moving
Keep panels flat to avoid misalignment
Avoid overfilling seams (causes cloudy edges)
Once cured, remove film and polish with a microfibre cloth.
This is the most advanced step in how to make a LEGO display case, but it produces a museum-quality result.
4.4 Build the Base
Options include:
Painted MDF
Varnished wood
Black or mirrored acrylic
Themed tiles
Studded baseplates
For a custom LEGO display case, many builders add:
Stud positions for fixing models
Printed nameplates
Minimal diorama scenery
You may also add a lip around the edge so the acrylic cover “self-locates.”
5. Option 2: Build a Modular Acrylic LEGO Display Case (Connector System)
A simpler method for beginners learning how to make a LEGO display case is using screw-together panels.
5.1 Identify Components
Flat-pack systems include:
Side panels
Front and back panels
Top panel
Black acrylic base
Metal corner connectors
Screws
Keep protective film on until final polishing.
5.2 Assemble the Frame
Attach side panels to the front/back
Ensure correct orientation
Add mid-span supports for large models
This method avoids gluing and is ideal for renters or collectors who rearrange rooms often.
5.3 Add Base & Top
Position the base where your display will sit
Place your LEGO set
Lower the assembled frame over it
Add the top panel
This is the closest DIY method to the professional designs sold on brickzonehub.co.uk, especially for large UCS sets that need reliable structure.
6. Option 3: Build a Wooden LEGO Display Case or Cabinet
A wooden LEGO display case offers furniture-grade quality and is ideal for larger collections.
6.1 Build the Carcass
Use MDF, plywood, or solid wood:
Cut side, top, and bottom panels
Assemble with screws or pocket holes
Sand smooth for painting
6.2 Add Clear Doors
Choose:
Acrylic panels (lighter, safer, easier to drill)
Glass panels (premium, scratch-resistant)
Use:
Hinges
Magnetic closures
Clean handles
This approach is perfect when learning how to make a LEGO display case for multiple sets or tall collections.
6.3 Interior Styling
Options include:
Adjustable shelves
Acrylic risers
Integrated baseplates
LED lighting channels
A wooden cabinet provides the most flexibility for creating a custom LEGO display case that suits your décor and collection style.
7. Professional Finishing, Safety Tips & Design Enhancements
7.1 Clearance & Support
When planning to build a LEGO display case, always:
Add 2–5 cm internal clearance
Use thicker bases for UCS models
Ensure the case sits level and sturdy
7.2 Avoid Acrylic Cracking
Pre-drill slowly
Never overtighten screws
Keep protective film on during construction
7.3 Cleaning & Maintenance
Use only:
Microfibre cloths
Plastic-safe cleaners
Never use:
Paper towels
Alcohol-based cleaners
Abrasive scrubbing pads
7.4 Optional Enhancements
To elevate your acrylic LEGO display case or cabinet:
LED light strips
Printed backdrops
Mirrored rear panels
Themed baseplates
Laser-cut name plaques
These extras dramatically transform the finished display.
8. Should You Build or Buy a LEGO Display Case?
DIY provides:
Full custom sizing
Lower cost
Creative control
Buying from brickzonehub.co.uk provides:
Perfect dimensions for specific LEGO sets
Professional build quality
Museum-grade acrylic
Options for LED cases, printed backdrops, and vertical/horizontal orientations
Many collectors build their first DIY LEGO display case for practice, then use BrickZoneHub for premium cases for iconic sets.
Conclusion
Learning how to make a LEGO display case gives you the freedom to tailor your display to any set—small, large, or enormous. Whether you prefer a seamless acrylic LEGO display case, a hybrid acrylic-and-wood design, or a full wooden LEGO display case, the principles remain the same:
Measure accurately
Add proper clearance
Use strong, safe materials
Build slowly and precisely
Enhance with lighting, backdrops, and baseplates
A well-constructed custom LEGO display case elevates your builds from toys to centrepieces and protects them for years. And when you want a professional, ready-to-display solution, brickzonehub.co.uk remains the UK’s most trusted source for premium LEGO display cases in acrylic, wood, and hybrid formats.
Your favourite LEGO set deserves nothing less.