Posts Tagged corner displays

A Guide to Buying a Corner Display Cabinet

Posted by on Friday, 25 June, 2010

With a stylish corner display cabinet, you can present your collection of trophies, awards, jewelry or whatever you want to display, without taking too much space in the room. Because they make efficient use of a space that could otherwise be wasted, corner display cabinets are a good choice for homes with limited space, or for small rooms that have little free floor space.

Types of Cabinets and Materials

When choosing a cabinet for a corner display, think about the items that you want to display in the cupboard and take into account how the cabinet matches the rest of the décor in the room.

Most corner displays are made with wooden frames and glass walls. There are also cabinets that have wooden lower parts and glass upper parts. Some of the most popular types of wood used in corner cabinets include pine, oak, maple and cherry. Because of the variety of wood used in the frames and the different types of finishes, wooden cabinets fit into most types of décor, from classic and romantic to modern or retro. From rustic oak cabinets to pine cupboards, there is a variety of styles for every room and for every purpose. You can also choose a natural wooden finish or try painted wood.

Although wood is still the most popular frame material, some of the more contemporary corner cabinets also use metal frames. Metal framing can work well if the rest of the furniture is very modern. Small cabinets can also look very good with metal framings, especially with thin frames.

A corner cabinet can be used to display trophies, awards, collectibles or jewelry. Depending on the items you want to display in the cupboard, you can choose from a variety of sizes and designs. Large cabinets with few shelves are better for displaying just a few large objects, and small cabinets with more shelves work better for a large collection of small objects. Traditional china cabinets with glass doors are still popular especially for displaying and storing glasses, porcelain cups and small figurines, and specifically designed curio cabinets are used by collectors of small curio objects.

Added Features, Lights and Mirrors

Some cabinets have added features, such as lights and mirrors. Mirrors can create an illusion of a larger space, and for small cabinets a mirror or two can be an excellent way to make the cabinet look bigger than it is. A few carefully placed mirrors inside the cabinet also give the viewers a better opportunity to see the objects inside.

The lights inside the cabinets can be used to illuminate the display in the evenings. They can also be pointed towards the highlight of the collection to make it stand out from the rest. Some cabinets have several lights placed either in the back of the display or along all the shelves. A single light that points down from the top of the cabinet can create a dramatic effect.

It is usually possible for you to adjust the shelves inside the cabinet. If your collection is expected to grow over time, make sure to get a cabinet that can be customized for extra shelves and other features.

You can also choose between a free standing and a wall mounted cabinet. For large items, a big freestanding cabinet is often a better match, especially if there is a lot of space in the room and the unit is meant to be the center of attraction. A wall-mounted unit in the corner can save a lot of space and works well in small spaces. Sometimes wall units are used in bathrooms and other small rooms, or in small kitchens that must use existing space effectively.

How to Clean a Glass Cabinet

A glass display cabinet needs to be cleaned often to get rid of dust and fingerprints. The outside of the glass usually needs cleaning several times a week, while the insides can be cleaned less frequently. Every now and then, you will need to remove the objects from the shelves and wipe the shelves clean.

For cleaning the glass doors, warm water with a small amount of dishwashing detergent, or just plain water, are the easiest solutions. You can also use warm water with some household vinegar, and some people use simple window cleaner. Make sure to use a clean cloth for wiping the glass surfaces, and dry them well with another soft, clean cloth afterwards to get rid of any remains of the detergent. The wooden parts can be wiped with a damp cloth, or you can use some of the wood polishing products on the market today. Just make sure the product is suitable for the type of wood and the type of finish in your cabinet.

With frequent maintenance, a corner display cabinet can remain in a good condition for years to come.