What Is a Curio Cabinet?

A curio cabinet is a display case that usually has a wood or metal frame and glass front doors. Its main purpose is twofold: Practical storage and a visually pleasing display. A curio cabinet is a tall, vertical piece of furniture with multiple interior shelves and either no drawers, or a very small bottom drawer. Sometimes you will also see a corner curio cabinet, which has a triangular design and is meant to fit in an empty room corner. The point of the cabinet is not hidden storage, it's a place to store and display a collection of beautiful items.

The piece finds its origins in what was referred to as "cabinets of curiosities" in the 16th century, although at that time the term described an entire room that housed a certain themed collection as opposed to a single piece of furniture. Curio cabinets were popular for many years before starting to look outdated, often overly-cluttered with a dusty collection of trinkets that made the entire room look dated. However, because most trends come back around again eventually, the piece is seeing a recent resurgence in popularity, taking on modern silhouettes and showcasing beautifully styled shelves.

Why Are Curio Cabinets So Popular Right Now?

"Curio cabinets are having a moment, and not without good reason", says Davis. She attributes the furniture's recent popularity to how versatile it is and how successfully it merges style and function. "This vintage-style cabinet offers so much versatility for storage and styling, making displaying collectibles and daily housewares way more fun", she explains. If the term curio cabinet makes you think of a dusty and outdated piece of furniture filled with even more outdated trinkets, think again. "Don't be misled—this isn't your grandmother's fine china hutch", says Davis, adding that "today's curio cabinets have been reimagined through a modern lens with playful touches like arched silhouettes and contrasting finishes".

Curio Cabinets vs. China Cabinets

There are many similarities between a curio cabinet and a china cabinet, but there a couple of significant differences between the two. The key difference is their purpose: A traditional curio cabinet is meant to hold any type of collection, whether it's glassware or decorative figurines, for a sort of at-home museum effect. The purpose of a china cabinet is very specific: To house and display a set of fine china.

Another difference between a curio cabinet and a china cabinet is in some of the design details. While both typically have a solid frame made of wood (or metal on more modern pieces) and a pair of glass doors, the glass portion is much larger on a curio cabinet. Glass typically extends from the top to the bottom and sometimes covers the cabinet sides as well. A curio cabinet is tall and narrow, whereas a china cabinet is also tall, but is usually much wider. A china cabinet also includes hidden storage in the form of drawers on its lower half, which is not the case with traditional curio cabinets.

Courtesy of Lindsie Davis / Blueberry Jones Design 

Where to Use a Curio Cabinet in Your Home

Given its versatility, a curio cabinet can be used almost anywhere in your home, from a formal dining room to your living room, but Davis shares her favorite spot to use the piece in a slightly more unexpected way. "I like to style curio cabinets at the end of a hallway," she says. A hallway can be a tricky area to furnish and often ends up going to waste, but Davis notes, "That small wall space often creates a bit of a styling dilemma and curio cabinets are the perfect solution." Placing a curio cabinet at the end of a hallway helps draw the eyes up to create the illusion of a tall ceiling and it creates a beautiful focal point that adds visual interest to the pass-through space.

How to Style a Curio Cabinet

To help you style a curio cabinet like a pro, Davis shares her best tricks of the trade. "In terms of styling, think of curio cabinets like any bookcase or built-in shelving," she explains. Follow her expert styling tips for a foolproof way to create an interesting and visually balanced curio cabinet:

• Play around with objects of different heights to create contrast and dimension.
• Incorporate items that vary in scale.
• Layer a variety of textures to create a visually pleasing arrangement.
• Try grouping similar pieces together.
• Sort items by shape and color tones.

"Personally, I prefer a more edited, less cluttered look so that each piece can really shine," Davis says. Take her advice and use these styling tips to make your curio cabinet into a beautiful room feature that adds character and displays your favorite items in a stylish way.