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A Beginner’s Guide to Curio Cabinets

A Beginner’s Guide to Curio Cabinets

If you are new to the world of Curio Cabinets, you probably have a few questions before making an investment. Let’s start with the most basic: why would you want a curio over a china cabinet? Since a china cabinet is designed to display Chinaware, the sides are typically enclosed. Curio cabinets have glass sides and a mirrored back so that the decorative detail of each item in the cabinet can be seen from all sides.

A curio cabinet can be used to showcase pretty much anything from vintage tea sets to collectable figurines. They also come in a variety of styles, sizes, and types.


Before You Shop

Before heading to the furniture store, decide how you will be using the Curio. Will you be displaying your trophies, souvenir dolls, or figurines? Give some thought to how large your collection is, and if you would want a curio cabinet that is larger to allow for future additions.

Take measurements. Make sure that it will fit, both vertically and horizontally, into your space. Keep in mind that not all curios are the same shape. You may want to look for own with curves which will make it stand apart from the typical rectangle shape.

Decide what features you would like your Curio cabinet to have. Will you be displaying a mix of tall and short items? If so, then choose a curio with adjustable shelves. If you want light to shine on your collection, select a cabinet with interior lighting.

Types of Curio Cabinets

Curio cabinets come in all shapes and sizes. The size of the cabinet will largely depend on the size of what you are hoping to display. For example, a wall curio cabinet may be the perfect accent piece in a dining room to display a collection of commemorative plates. If you have less space, a corner curio may be the ideal solution.

Standard Curios

A standard Curio cabinet is typically freestanding, available in a range of sizes and constructed to hold heavy objects like large China pieces or metal trophies. Standard Curios generally have mirrored backs and glass sides. They can include features such as interior lighting, lockable doors, adjustable shelves, and plate grooves. This Sabrina Curio is a great example of a cabinet with a smaller footprint and endless features.

Wall-Mounted Curios

A wall mounted Curio cabinet uses wall rather than floor space. Designed to hold a small selection of collectibles, a wall-mounted curio is a self-contained unit that can be mounted on the wall of virtually any room in your home.

Corner Curios

Corner Curio cabinets have many of the same features a standard Curio does, but it is designed to fit in the corner of a room. This is also a great space saver!

It’s also important to keep in mind that a Curio cabinet might appear spacious on the outside but not have as much usable space on the inside, so check the interior dimensions of the cabinet before making a final decision. Also, try not to cram every valuable item you own into the Curio. Give your collectibles room to be seen as individual pieces.