The Unexpected, Double-Duty Storage Piece You Should Consider for Your Living Room Right Now (It’s So Timeless!)
A bed, sofa, and dining table are some of the most common pieces of furniture, but who says you have to stick to a standard setup? If you have the space, consider making a more old-school item the new focal point of your home: a classic china cabinet.
Whether you inherited this underrated piece or stumbled across one as a steal at an estate sale, just know that, despite the name, it can be used for so much more than fancy dinnerware. “Styling a china cabinet is all about creating a display that feels curated and effortlessly charming,” says interior designer Mikel Welch.
Even though I have plenty of storage in my apartment, I’m drawn to my china cabinet because it functions as a seamless way to display my favorite decor in Egypt, where I recently moved with my husband. Turns out designers are also using these large pieces in similar ways. “A china cabinet is a great way to showcase a collection or even books,” says Tom Magill, senior home stylist at Anthropologie. “You can also move the cabinet into a different room of the house. Think of what a chic storage piece it would be in a bathroom, where it could hold bath linens, soaps, and brushes.”
For me, I’ve used mine to house the pottery I’m most proud of from my weekly ceramics classes in Old Cairo. Throughout the glass shelves, I also threw in sweet-smelling candles, courtesy of Monique Lhuillier and Diptyque, which take me back to my wedding day every time I open the cabinet doors. Of course, I made room for a few crystal pieces and locally made, handblown glassware in a standout green shade.
While most cabinets or media consoles have opaque doors, I love that you can see through a china cabinet, and mine even has spotlights up top. However, my absolute favorite part is the fact that it has two drawers. For our wedding, my parents gave me and my husband gold silverware that my grandfather originally gifted them. Instead of hiding these in a closet somewhere, they’re easily accessible by the dining table, reminding us to use the set beyond special occasions.
With a china cabinet, the important thing is to just be mindful of how you store fragile objects. “While it’s only natural for breakage to occur sometimes, there are some ways to help protect your treasures,” says Chad Shuety, head of creative at Baccarat North America. “Allow the pieces breathing room by spacing them far enough apart so they won’t bang into each other and chip. For decorative objects like vases or sculptures, I like to use museum putty at the base to hold the piece steady, helping to avoid breakage.”
When it comes to putting your china cabinet together, make it your own, and don’t be afraid to mix and match. “Incorporate vintage finds with patina, such as antique glassware or silverware,” Welch points out. “And to truly make your china cabinet a statement piece, consider adding heirlooms or items with sentimental value. Imagine incorporating an antique clock or a cherished vase that’s been passed down through generations. These touches not only enrich the visual appeal of the cabinet, but also weave a personal story into the display.”
Remember to embrace the different levels, too. “Think about where objects will live in the cabinet, considering what pieces will live at eye level and what lives out of reach on an upper shelf,” Magill mentions. “A catchall for your keys will work best on a lower shelf, while that antique chinoiserie vase can be appreciated on a higher level — and will also be much safer.”