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DESIGN 101
What Is a Curio Cabinet and How Is It Used?
Many people have collections that are their pride and joy. Anything — baseball cards, porcelain dolls, collectible plates, vacation souvenirs — can become a prized collection.
One of the best parts of collecting is showing your collection off, but you want to be sure it will be protected. One way to do that is to display your collection in a curio cabinet.
What Is a Curio Cabinet?
Curio cabinets are designed to protect items such as collectible figurines, fine china, or other display items. They usually incorporate a glass face so the collection can be viewed.
Typical curio cabinets have a wood frame, though some modern cabinets can be made of metal. Some have displays up and down the full length, while others include additional opaque storage at the base or along one side. This might be used for storing extra displays, swapping out seasonal collections, or simply as extra storage in a smaller space.
Origins of the Curio Cabinet
People have been collecting small items of value or interest for centuries, but displaying these items in cabinets became popular around the 16th century. Originally a cabinet referred to an entire room in which these items were presented for curious guests. However, people soon began to store their treasures in glass-fronted cabinets to protect them from dust, damage, and fingerprints.
These cabinets were not originally called curio cabinets, either. The first curio cabinets were called “Kunst-und Wunderkammer,” a German term for a cabinet of art and curiosities or marvels. The word “curio” came about in the mid-1800s, as an abbreviation of the term “cabinet of curiosities.”
What To Put in a Curio Cabinet
When it comes to how to decorate a curio cabinet, the items you display are entirely up to personal preference. As long as you want the items prominently displayed and protected, you can fill your cabinet with almost anything you want.
Some things that are commonly stored in curios include collectibles such as plates, figurines, or shot glasses. Porcelain dolls may make a good curio cabinet candidate, as might fragile family heirlooms.
Some people use their curio cabinets to display their fine china when not in use. Others fill the space with family photos, artwork, or memorabilia such as vacation souvenirs, athletic trophies, or academic awards. It's your choice, so don’t be afraid to get creative.
What’s the Difference Between a Curio Cabinet and a China Cabinet?
Both curio cabinets and china cabinets can be used to display collections or fine china. But while curio cabinets are typically fully enclosed in glass with a wood or metal frame, a china cabinet is often enclosed in solid wood on three sides, with glass only on the front. When storing china, you don’t often need to see it from all angles, but collectors typically want to see their collectibles from all sides.
China cabinets are also more likely to include additional storage at the bottom. This can be used for related items such as placemats, table linens, or spare dishware that isn’t displayed. Although curio cabinets can also include this storage, it’s less common because the point of a curio cabinet is its transparency.
Is a Curio Cabinet Right for You?
If you’re considering investing in a curio cabinet, think about what you’d like to display. If you have a collection that you want to show off but worry about it getting damaged or dirtied, a curio cabinet might be the right choice.
Next, contemplate where you would like to keep it. Many people display their curios in their living or dining room, but a curio cabinet can go anywhere. Perhaps you’d like to look at your crystal collection every night before bed, or maybe you want to see your family heirlooms first thing when you step in the door. You could even use a curio to display your jewelry or accessories in a walk-in closet or next to your vanity.
Consider whether a curio cabinet is even the best way to display your collection. While it’s a great way to protect your items, less fragile pieces could just as easily be stored on a nice bookcase, or hung on the walls gallery-style. A curio cabinet has a single function and will take up some of your floor space. So if you have limited room, it might be better to display your collection with dual-purpose furniture, such as a coffee table, dresser, or sideboard with storage.
The Best Styles of Curio Cabinets on Furniture.com
When it comes to choosing a curio cabinet, you have a lot of options. They come in many styles and colors, so there’s something to match any collection or aesthetic and decor. To get some ideas for the type of cabinet you’d like, check out some of the curio cabinets we offer.