Decorating
Why Every Home Should Have a Glass Display Cupboard
Storage and décor rolled into one. What’s not to love?
We all need storage in our homes and often opt for cupboards and drawers that hide everything from view. This can, of course, be useful, but what about those pieces we’d like to look at and enjoy on a daily basis? Glazed display cupboards allow you to view your things whenever you like while keeping them dust-free, and they’re less obtrusive than standard cupboards, as the glass allows you to see straight through them.
Whether you buy new or pick up something second-hand, do make room for a glazed cabinet, as they can really add character. Browse these examples to give you ideas of where could you site yours and what you might put in it.
Whether you buy new or pick up something second-hand, do make room for a glazed cabinet, as they can really add character. Browse these examples to give you ideas of where could you site yours and what you might put in it.
Employ neat baskets
In a cabinet as large as this armoire, you may be tempted to pack loads into it, and not all of it beautiful to look at. If that sounds like you, and you’re not keen at looking at piles of craft kit/toddler toys/spare toiletries, then buy some baskets that fit snugly on the shelves and hide the contents.
Choose the biggest baskets that will fit, both to make the most of the space and so you can’t see the contents over the top. Remember, also, that natural wicker can easily be painted if you want white versions, like these. Spray paint will get in the nooks and crannies of the weave easily and one can will do a cupboard’s worth of baskets.
In a cabinet as large as this armoire, you may be tempted to pack loads into it, and not all of it beautiful to look at. If that sounds like you, and you’re not keen at looking at piles of craft kit/toddler toys/spare toiletries, then buy some baskets that fit snugly on the shelves and hide the contents.
Choose the biggest baskets that will fit, both to make the most of the space and so you can’t see the contents over the top. Remember, also, that natural wicker can easily be painted if you want white versions, like these. Spray paint will get in the nooks and crannies of the weave easily and one can will do a cupboard’s worth of baskets.
Enjoy your shoes
If you have a glorious collection of shoes, treat it as a piece of art and display your finest pairs in a glazed cabinet. Many old cupboards are the perfect depth for a pair of shoes – and shelves can be added so they sit nice and close together, allowing you get a lot in as well as creating a tight juxtaposition of colours, decoration and styles, which will look fantastic.
It’s a neat and ordered way to enjoy your shoes, prevent them from getting dusty and free up space in your wardrobe.
If you have a glorious collection of shoes, treat it as a piece of art and display your finest pairs in a glazed cabinet. Many old cupboards are the perfect depth for a pair of shoes – and shelves can be added so they sit nice and close together, allowing you get a lot in as well as creating a tight juxtaposition of colours, decoration and styles, which will look fantastic.
It’s a neat and ordered way to enjoy your shoes, prevent them from getting dusty and free up space in your wardrobe.
Hang to zone the kitchen
This display cupboard is clearly visible due to the warm wood frame, yet it doesn’t clutter the space because you can see all the way through it to the far wall. The fact that the shelves and contents are also glass means what’s stored inside is almost invisible, too.
If you want to do this, the positioning of the unit is vital. Such a piece will be heavy and must be fixed to a strong part of the ceiling, such as a joist – it must not be hung from plasterboard or similar, as it will simply pull the ceiling down. Get professional advice on this one!
Check out 10 ideas for open kitchen storage
This display cupboard is clearly visible due to the warm wood frame, yet it doesn’t clutter the space because you can see all the way through it to the far wall. The fact that the shelves and contents are also glass means what’s stored inside is almost invisible, too.
If you want to do this, the positioning of the unit is vital. Such a piece will be heavy and must be fixed to a strong part of the ceiling, such as a joist – it must not be hung from plasterboard or similar, as it will simply pull the ceiling down. Get professional advice on this one!
Check out 10 ideas for open kitchen storage
Upcycle a leaded cupboard
This cabinet looks as if it might once have been a shiny, orangey wood, and been perhaps atop a not-beautiful sideboard. But, with a bit of DIY and TLC, it’s become a wonderful addition to this bathroom, sitting neatly above a towel rail and keeping toiletries to hand yet neatly tucked away.
Think outside the box or, rather, the cupboard: for example, something designed for the kitchen could be perfect in a bathroom; or a dining room china display piece could be a perfect linen armoire on your landing. If it’s the right size and a nice shape, you can always paint it to match your décor.
This cabinet looks as if it might once have been a shiny, orangey wood, and been perhaps atop a not-beautiful sideboard. But, with a bit of DIY and TLC, it’s become a wonderful addition to this bathroom, sitting neatly above a towel rail and keeping toiletries to hand yet neatly tucked away.
Think outside the box or, rather, the cupboard: for example, something designed for the kitchen could be perfect in a bathroom; or a dining room china display piece could be a perfect linen armoire on your landing. If it’s the right size and a nice shape, you can always paint it to match your décor.
Keep things quietly at hand
Display cabinets are often bold and a real statement, but this shows how you can have one that will sit quietly in the corner. As the frame is painted to match the wall, it sinks into the background.
It could be further camouflaged if the back panel were painted, too, then it would be a lovely echo in shape and colour of the door. In this instance, though, you’d either want to install in-cupboard lighting to show off your glassware, or choose colourful pieces to go inside it.
Display cabinets are often bold and a real statement, but this shows how you can have one that will sit quietly in the corner. As the frame is painted to match the wall, it sinks into the background.
It could be further camouflaged if the back panel were painted, too, then it would be a lovely echo in shape and colour of the door. In this instance, though, you’d either want to install in-cupboard lighting to show off your glassware, or choose colourful pieces to go inside it.
Showcase a treasured collection
If you have a stash of cherished items gathering dust in the loft, get them out and enjoy them. It doesn’t have to be a matching “collection” of things, it can be anything that makes you smile. A glass cabinet will give your pieces a museum-y sense of importance.
I have a cabinet containing really random items I love – everything from my wedding tiara to a handful of conkers I collected with my daughter when she was a toddler. Why keep treasured things hidden away?
If you have a stash of cherished items gathering dust in the loft, get them out and enjoy them. It doesn’t have to be a matching “collection” of things, it can be anything that makes you smile. A glass cabinet will give your pieces a museum-y sense of importance.
I have a cabinet containing really random items I love – everything from my wedding tiara to a handful of conkers I collected with my daughter when she was a toddler. Why keep treasured things hidden away?
Weave in a vintage find
This scheme show how a vintage freestanding cabinet can add warmth and character to a modern white kitchen. Perhaps you’ve inherited such a piece or walked past one in a charity shop? If so, bring it home and find a spot where it will be seen and enjoyed. (Depending on what you put in it, and the design of the cupboard, you may need to tether it to the wall so there’s no risk of it toppling over.)
Cabinets like this are a great place to store pieces of crockery you don’t use every day – gravy boats, salad bowls and pretty platters, for example.
Browse 11 great vintage buys to add instant character to your home
This scheme show how a vintage freestanding cabinet can add warmth and character to a modern white kitchen. Perhaps you’ve inherited such a piece or walked past one in a charity shop? If so, bring it home and find a spot where it will be seen and enjoyed. (Depending on what you put in it, and the design of the cupboard, you may need to tether it to the wall so there’s no risk of it toppling over.)
Cabinets like this are a great place to store pieces of crockery you don’t use every day – gravy boats, salad bowls and pretty platters, for example.
Browse 11 great vintage buys to add instant character to your home
Cook up a kitchen centrepiece
Perhaps you remember these shop fittings with nostalgic warmth. If you’re not quite old enough for that, you might still appreciate the lovely qualities this huge shop counter brings.
It offers oodles of storage: wooden drawers are accessed from one side and can hold anything from crockery and cutlery to kitchen linens. The contents of a piece like this need to be styled, though, because they can be seen from all angles.
Vintage wooden shop fittings would work in an eclectic kitchen, as here, or as a centrepiece in an ultra-modern space.
Perhaps you remember these shop fittings with nostalgic warmth. If you’re not quite old enough for that, you might still appreciate the lovely qualities this huge shop counter brings.
It offers oodles of storage: wooden drawers are accessed from one side and can hold anything from crockery and cutlery to kitchen linens. The contents of a piece like this need to be styled, though, because they can be seen from all angles.
Vintage wooden shop fittings would work in an eclectic kitchen, as here, or as a centrepiece in an ultra-modern space.
Fill your alcoves
A combination of bookcases and low-level cupboards is a classic solution for what to put either side of your chimney breast. Here, the homeowners have come up with something a little different, which adds to the bright and airy feel of this period living room: glass cupboards.
In each alcove, there’s a smart mix of closed storage, perfect for board games, living room clutter (or messy people…). A small flash of open shelving keeps your best books on display, and then a glass-fronted space shows off pretty glassware. Being translucent, glasses work beautifully when preserving light is a priority.
A cupboard like this could also look wonderful with a little LED lighting or a tiny desk lamp inside, and a mini bar or small, retro-style record player.
Do you have a glass-fronted cupboard in your home? Let us know what you use it for in the Comments below.
A combination of bookcases and low-level cupboards is a classic solution for what to put either side of your chimney breast. Here, the homeowners have come up with something a little different, which adds to the bright and airy feel of this period living room: glass cupboards.
In each alcove, there’s a smart mix of closed storage, perfect for board games, living room clutter (or messy people…). A small flash of open shelving keeps your best books on display, and then a glass-fronted space shows off pretty glassware. Being translucent, glasses work beautifully when preserving light is a priority.
A cupboard like this could also look wonderful with a little LED lighting or a tiny desk lamp inside, and a mini bar or small, retro-style record player.
Do you have a glass-fronted cupboard in your home? Let us know what you use it for in the Comments below.
This kitchen shows how different-style base and wall cabinets can look fantastic together. The glass-fronted, blue-black cabinets are clearly more dominant, drawing the eye away from the pale neutrals around them. This is a confident design that’s relaxed yet striking.
Small details have been considered here, too, such as the metro tiling at the back of the cupboards, which adds another element of interest – and one that’s visible because the cabinets aren’t rammed full of kitchenalia. Try be disciplined about what you keep in this sort of cupboard: opt for china and glass rather than tins and packets of food, which are best hidden behind the solid doors of the base units.
If you have a neutral kitchen and can lay your hands on one or more glass wall cupboards, this is an easy look to emulate. Simply paint your new cupboards in a contrasting shade, then either use them to replace a couple of existing wall units, or find a slice of empty wall and try them out there.