What To Put In A Curio Cabinet: A Storage Guide
If you go to your friends’ or relative’s house, there is always this beautiful glass cabinet filled with pretty little things, such as mementos, photographs, souvenirs, and even glassware. That glass cabinet is called a curio cabinet. In this article, you will learn the different styles of a curio cabinet, what to put in a curio cabinet, the benefits of using a curio cabinet, and how to decorate such cabinets. Add more beauty and charm in your living room or the corner of it with curio cabinets.
What is a Curio Cabinet?
A curio cabinet is usually a narrow and tall cabinet with glass shelves, mirrored backs, and glass doors on the front. Curios come in various shapes and styles. As mentioned, some have interior lighting installed and even have adjustable shelves. Some curios have drawers or doors underneath to allow extra storage. You can just place them anywhere in your house!
It all depends on you and what you plan to do with it. For example, if you want to display dishes with rare designs, you can place the curio in the dining room. If you want to display mementos and souvenirs, you can place the curio in the living room.
Styles of Curio Cabinets
Before you get to learn what to put in a curio cabinet, you need to know the different styles of such. As mentioned, curio cabinets have many designs and styles. It can even come in different colors and materials, such as wood, metal, or glass. Here are the different styles of curio cabinets:
Traditional Curio Cabinet
This style of curio usually has wooden frames and glass shelves. It does not have mirrored backs and is usually placed in the living room. Traditional curio cabinets are tall and narrow in shape, except for the antique curio, which is tall and wide.
Contemporary Curio Cabinet
This style of curio has a sleeker and smoother design. They also have less visible metal frames. These curios can have rounder or curved frames, perfect for displaying pretty things.
Corner Curio Cabinet
This style of curio is perfect for small spaces, like an apartment or a condominium unit. They are designed to fit in the corner of the room but has the usual features of traditional or standard curios. It is perfect if you are running out of space.
Short and Wide Curio Cabinet
This style of curio is perfect if you have a limited amount of small space. You have an option to display items on top of it, or even hang paintings over it.
Things You Can Put in Your Curio Cabinet
So, what to put in a curio cabinet? Well, it cannot be emphasized that the purpose of curio cabinets is to display everything beautiful in a more organized and more eye-catching manner. From the simplest things to the most extravagant, your curio cabinet should show to people the things that you love. Here are the most common things people place inside their curios:
- Small antiques
- Artworks
- Books or vintage books
- Collectibles
- Dishes
- Drinking glasses
- Family heirlooms
- Porcelain figurines
- Flowers
- Fossils
- Framed Photos
- Gifts
- Jewelry
- Mineral stones
- Miniature doll collection
- Model cars
- Sculptures
- Shells
- Souvenirs
- Unique travel mementos
- Vases
Whatever you put in your curio cabinet surely changes the whole look. Traditional curio cabinets usually contain the antiques, the various collectible of glassware or china, and porcelain figurines. Contemporary curio cabinets usually hold artworks, vases, doll collection, and souvenirs. Now you know what to put in a curio cabinet.
How to Decorate Your Curio Cabinet
The first thing you need to do when decorating your curio cabinet is that you measure, not only the dimensions of the curio cabinet itself but also the dimensions or sizes of the items you plan to put inside the cabinet.
Second, for more visual interest, you group items and play around the variety among your collectibles. You can do it by arranging the collection in the glass shelves by year, by style, or by theme.
Lastly, if you want your curio cabinet to have a more elevated look, you can install internal lighting. It shall give your curio cabinet a sophisticated aura, which can highlight your antiques and valuables.
Conclusion
Now you know what to put in a curio cabinet! All that is left to do is apply the things you have learned in this article to have a more eye-catching and more charming curio cabinet in your home. Friends and family will love to see the many collections you have on display.
Remember that there are various styles of curio cabinets available in the market. If you are tight on space, you can always go for the corner curio cabinet. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the best ways to decorate your curio cabinet. Once you master these, you will surely have the most charming display in the neighborhood.
