A curio cabinet is a tall, narrow display cabinet with glass doors (and often glass sides and shelves) built to show off collectibles, glassware or keepsakes while keeping dust off them. To pick one, match its height to your ceiling, its depth to the deepest item you will display, and its footprint to the wall or corner you have. In our listings, curio cabinets run from about $425 for a compact metal model to about $2,594 for a large traditional piece, so there is a real choice at most budgets.
Every spec below comes from our product listings; where a listing does not say something, we say so.
Curio cabinet vs china cabinet vs display cabinet
The terms overlap and are used loosely:
- China cabinet: a cabinet, usually with glass fronts and sides, used to hold and display porcelain and other dishware such as cups, plates, bowls and glasses. It is a classic dining room piece.
- Curio cabinet: the same idea scaled for objects rather than place settings. Curios tend to be narrower and made for figurines, collectibles and small decor.
- Display cabinet with glass doors: the broad umbrella term.
Check shelf count, material and depth rather than the name. Our Benzara 71 inch China Curio Corner Cabinet carries both labels in its title, which shows how blurry the line is. If you want closed dining storage with a little glass on top, a hutch and buffet may suit you better; our sideboard vs buffet vs credenza guide covers that side of the dining room.
Curio cabinets we carry, compared
Prices come from our public listings and can change. Dimensions are as listed by the manufacturer.
| Cabinet | Listed size (inches) | Doors and shelves | Materials | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dresden Cherry Oak Finish Curio | 20 x 51 x 89 (assembled) | 2 glass doors, 3 glass shelves, mirrored back, felt lined drawer | Wood, wood veneer, poly resin, MDF, glass | $2,593.99 |
| Benzara 71 in China Curio Corner Cabinet | 16 L x 16 W x 71 H | 4 glass doors, 4 glass shelves plus 1 wood shelf, mirror back | Solid wood, veneer, composite wood | $1,015.95 |
| Benzara 2 Door Curio Cabinet, Gray | 15.5 L x 35.25 W x 69 H | 2 clear glass doors, removable shelves | MDF, particle board, engineered wood, glass, metal | $557.11 |
| Benzara Metal Curio Cabinet, 1 Door | 20.75 L x 20.75 W x 63.75 H | 1 clear glass door, 3 glass shelves | MDF, glass, metal | $424.80 |
| Benzara Seza Curio Cabinet, Black | 16 L x 18 W x 72 H | 4 open shelves, lower door cabinet (no glass doors listed) | Solid mahogany | $702.25 |
| 2 Piece Hutch and Buffet, Almond | 72.25 x 19.25 x 76.25 (assembled) | Framed glass hutch doors, 2 drawers, 4 lower cabinets | Solid wood and MDF, concrete buffet top | $2,461.99 |
None of these listings mention built in lighting, a door lock, or tempered glass, and none list included anti tip hardware. If any of those matter to you, call before you order so we can check with the manufacturer.
How to size a curio cabinet
Height and ceiling
Most of the tall curios above stand about 64 to 72 inches, which fits under a standard 8 foot (96 inch) ceiling with room to spare. The Dresden lists an assembled size of 20 x 51 x 89 inches, and at 89 inches it leaves only a few inches under an 8 foot ceiling. Measure the ceiling and the delivery path first.
Width and floor space
Narrow curios suit hallways and the ends of walls. The Seza is 18 inches wide and the metal Benzara is 20.75 inches. A two door unit like the gray Benzara at 35.25 inches wide needs a full wall section and room for the doors to swing open.
Shelf depth for what you display
Depth decides what fits. At about 15.5 to 16 inches deep, most of the cabinets above will hold dinner plates on stands, stemware and figurines. Measure your widest plate or platter, add an inch for a stand, and compare it to the listed depth. The listed figure is outside depth, so usable shelf depth is a little less.
Corner curio or flat wall?
A corner curio cabinet turns dead space into display space. The Benzara corner model has a 16 x 16 inch footprint, so it sits tight into a 90 degree corner, but corner shelves suit glassware and small collectibles better than platters.
A flat wall cabinet gives you wider, rectangular shelves and easier access. The metal Benzara curio has a triangular top and bottom, so check its shape on the product page before planning its spot.
Glass, shelves and safety
Glass shelves let light pass through and make a cabinet look lighter, but they carry less weight than wood. A good habit: put the heaviest pieces on the bottom shelf, or on a wood shelf if the cabinet has one (the Benzara corner unit lists one wood shelf along with four glass).
Ask about the glass type if it matters to you. None of our current curio listings say the glass is tempered, so do not assume it is.
Anchor any tall cabinet to the wall. A loaded curio is top heavy, so use an anchor kit fixed to a stud. Our bookshelf dimensions guide covers tip over anchoring for tall shelving in more detail, and the same method applies here.
How to light and arrange a curio cabinet
Mirrored backs, like those on the Dresden and the Benzara corner cabinet, double the light and make a collection look fuller. Since none of our current listings include built in lights, many owners add battery or plug in LED puck or strip lights. If you want hardwired lighting or a new outlet behind the cabinet, hire a licensed electrician; local code has the final word.
To arrange it:
- Group items by color, material or theme rather than spreading one of everything across every shelf.
- Place taller pieces at the back and sides, smaller ones in front.
- Keep the most fragile or valuable items at eye level, where they are less likely to be knocked.
Low display cabinets with glass doors
If a tall curio is too much, a low cabinet with glass doors gives you display space and a top surface. The Benzara Maira accent cabinet is 16 L x 48 W x 34 H inches with fluted glass doors and one fixed shelf for $1,177.15. The Benzara Nisa accent cabinet is 16 L x 40 W x 37 H inches with glass inserts, seven fixed shelves and side display spaces for $1,022.61. You can see more of the range on our Benzara brand page, and our Benzara furniture reviews explain what to check on their listings.
Care
Clean glass with a soft cloth and a mild glass cleaner sprayed on the cloth, not on the cabinet, so liquid does not run into the wood finish. Dust shelves when you rotate items. Keep it out of strong direct sun. For more on shopping for larger furniture online, see our guide to buying designer furniture online.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a curio cabinet and a china cabinet?
A china cabinet is designed to display dishware such as plates, cups and glasses, usually in a dining room. A curio cabinet is usually narrower and made for collectibles and small decor. Many pieces serve both roles.
How deep should a display cabinet with glass doors be?
Measure the deepest item you plan to show and add room for a stand. The tall curios we carry list depths of about 15.5 to 20.75 inches, which handles most plates, stemware and figurines.
Do I need to anchor a curio cabinet to the wall?
We recommend it for any tall cabinet. Curios get top heavy when loaded, and none of our current listings say anti tip hardware is included, so plan to buy a kit and fasten it to a stud.
Can I return a curio cabinet?
Returns follow our return and refund policy. Read it before ordering, especially for large furniture.
Not sure which cabinet fits your space? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST, and we can check dimensions, glass type or hardware with the manufacturer before you buy. Orders of $999 or more ship with free freight shipping, and orders below that ship for a flat $200.
