All About China Cabinets

Taking center stage

China cabinet styles reflect the great variety of the personal collections they house.  From sleek and modern to curvy and traditional, china display cabinets imbue the spaces they inhabit with a unique and highly personal charm.  Aside from showcasing a prized collection, a china cabinet provides a functional way of showing guests an intimate side of the host, a view of the inner self.

Nothing beats a classic

Antique china cabinets connect the present to the venerable traditions of the past.  Coveted by collectors as pinnacles of craftsmanship, pieces by famous design houses such as Chippendale, Sheraton, or Hepplewhite can fetch thousands of dollars in antique shops and at auction.  Manufacturers still produce replicas from 18th - and 19th- century plans using artisanal methods.  Favoring darker, richer woods like oak, hickory, cherry, mahogany, and walnut, these designs feature exquisite detailing:  brass closures, inlaid wainscoting, decorative cornices and elegant dovetail joints. Suitable for the display of rare and historic pieces as well as more modern creations, an antique piece is every bit the work of art as the collection it houses.

On a mission

As opposed to the more ornamented products descended from the American Colonial style, a Mission china cabinet evokes the open spaces of the Southwest with its strong horizontal lines and stark surfaces.  Inspired by the designs of Spanish missions, these pieces favor the use of lighter-colored woods such as ash, pine, or maple.

Contemporary china cabinets

Where designers of the past favored decorative details, contemporary design focuses more on form and shape.  A modern china cabinet features a sharp silhouette and geometrically precise proportions.  Windows tend to be more squared, without rounded framing or detailing. 

Designers use novel materials, such as:

glass

stainless steel

composite paneling

fiberglass 

Contemporary designs do not shy from bold, punchy color.  In addition to the rich variations of wood, the new school of cabinet can be painted, faux-finished, or laminated in any imaginable shade, from primary colors to space age metallics.

New cabinets may come with pre-installed lighting, removing the headache of wiring a delicate used china cabinet and making it easy to create a gallery-like atmosphere.

Cutting corners

Corner china cabinets, designed to sit on a diagonal in one corner of a room or occupy the space between a door and a wall, offer a convenient solution for smaller spaces or more complex arrangements.  Narrower and taller than a traditional, full-size china cabinet, these pieces work well when space is at a premium.  Popular in apartments, smaller rooms, or interiors where a less dramatic effect is desired, these shelves come in all the same varieties of color, material, and age.

More information on china cabinets