You don’t have to commit to a completely traditional home decor style just to make use of classic pieces. There are many options for injecting a little history and elegance into even the most modern designs. Curio cabinets are a great choice because they serve a functional purpose in addition to enhancing the look of any living room, kitchen, or bedroom. 

You can display family heirlooms, prized collections, or favorite works of art without having to worry about the risk of damage or constant dusting. Some modern curio cabinets even include features like built-in lighting and UV protective glass to prevent fading to items you store inside. You’ll find plenty of options for this kind of enclosed storage cabinet here at Ashley. 

Frequently Asked Curio Cabinet Questions 

Curio cabinets have a long history of use, starting around the 16th century. They could often fill up entire rooms, but today’s curio cabinet with glass doors will take up far less room. Display cabinets often offer a clinical or industrial look, while curio cabinets feature fine woodwork and other aesthetic details to help them blend into the room. Exploring these common questions about this type of furniture will guide you in deciding whether it’s the right kind of accent cabinet for your home. 

What Is a Curio Cabinet? 

A curio cabinet is a freestanding, upright display cabinet. Most are made with a combination of wood and glass, while less decorative display cabinets are made with metal or all-glass construction instead. The use of wood shelving and framing offers a slightly softer look that helps the piece blend in with almost any part of the home. If you choose a lighted curio cabinet, you’re also creating a display area that’s perfect for showing off your collectibles or art pieces. 

While curio cabinets are often used for protecting and displaying a set of fine china dishes, there’s no need to limit their use to just that purpose. Today’s cabinets are just as likely to display jewelry, movie memorabilia, collectible statuettes, or other important items. You can add a number of risers and small shelving units to make the most of the protected space. Mirrored backs are common inside the display space to further accent the effect, but it’s an optional feature. Some homeowners prefer designs with simple backdrops of polished wood or clear glass to allow the wall color to show through the piece. 

How to Decorate a Curio Cabinet? 

Start your efforts to decorate your new glass curio cabinet by selecting just two or three types of items to put on display. For example, you might choose: 

  • Fine china, silverware, crystal glassware, and other dining related sets 
  • Table settings like candleholders, serving trays, chargers, and centerpieces 
  • Vases, planters, and other flower-related displays like attractive watering cans 
  • Antique bottles, jars filled with interesting items, and small decorative boxes 
  • Framed photos of family members and friends 
  • Folded table linens or just decorative cloth in your favorite colors and patterns 
  • Family keepsakes like pocket watches, jewelry, and photo albums 
  • Sculptures, figurines, and art pieces created by family members 
  • Collectibles of any kind 

Find a place for the curio cabinet where its contents can be admired without causing issues with flow. If you choose a particularly tall curio cabinet, make sure you have enough ceiling clearance for it. You want about 2 feet or more of wall space between the top of the curio cabinet and the ceiling in most home designs. If you’re placing the cabinet in your dining room to hold table linens and dishes, consider placing it at one end of the table so it’s close at hand when you set the table. 

Where to Buy Curio Cabinets? 

For traditional curio cabinets for sale with plenty of classic style, you’ll want to turn to antique stores and estate sales. There are plenty of cherry and mahogany pieces that will easily last another 100 years with minimal refinishing or maintenance. If you’re interested in a more trendy style, you can find modern curios sold at most furniture stores, including here at Ashley. Today’s new curio cabinets tend to offer a more streamlined look and interesting finish options like textured or aged wood. 

You can find curio cabinets in need of refinishing at garage sales, flea markets, and used furniture stores. While these pieces won’t be ready to go directly into your living room or dining room, they offer you the chance to create a unique design that fits your home. However, you’ll want some woodworking and finishing skills before trying to tackle a project like this one. 

Are Curio Cabinets Out of Style? 

Many people interested in the protection of a curio cabinet display case worry that this type of furniture has gone out of style. It’s true that the large and bulky cabinets of the past only work well with traditional decor. But today’s cabinets are available in a variety of transitional and modern designs that are definitely in style. It’s not like you have to settle for a single look or type of cabinet when there are so many options to choose from. 

There’s been a recent focus on functional furnishings that offer more than just aesthetics to a room. The curio cabinet fits that trend perfectly because it combines an elegant statement piece with enclosed storage that protects your most valuable belongings. Even today, no dining room or living area is complete without some kind of curio or hutch to organize the space. 

Finding the right living room furniture for a unique look for your home means taking inspiration from both the future and the past. Curio cabinets may have a long history behind them, but there are plenty of options that aren’t dated or out of style. Organize your collections and put them on display with the help of furniture that’s designed with preservation in mind. In addition to these cabinets, you may want to consider enclosed shelves that match the look to continue your display. 

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