Console Curio Cabinets

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Console curio cabinets are a medium ground for when you need a way to display your wares, but you don't want a large traditional curio cabinet design. Console cabinets have a shorter height than standard curios with fewer shelves. They also usually have a wider stance that still provides adequate storage of your precious items.

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5 Recommendations and 122 Ideas

Updated 25/01/2023

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Sleek Short Glass Shelved Curio Cabinet

Darby Home Co

Some console cabinets have a compact, understated size that can tuck neatly into any space. A mirrored back, built-in lighting, all glass sides, and sturdy glass shelving add extra wow factors to jazz up a simple rectangular frame on block legs.

Designer Advice:

You can get a powerful statement from short curio cabinets like you can with tall curios. But the smaller size makes them fit into more spaces without requiring a lot of extra room. You can even use a curio cabinet tv stand if you're tight on the room and want to make double duty of your piece.

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Rich Elegant Short Curio Cabinet

Darby Home Co

This elegant 41" tall console curio cabinet comes in three exquisite solid wood finishes - brown, white, or black. The two adjustable shelves can support eight pounds, while double doors with a wood grid overlay protect the contents.

$1099.99 ~~$1089.99~~

Designer Advice:

If you prefer the look of a tall curio cabinet, you can still have a classic console design. This unit combines the best tall curio cabinets with a console table's width and modern touches. The double doors and adjustable glass shelving infuse a contemporary nuance, accented by the wood overlay that protects the glass panels.

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Sturdy Squat Classic Console Curio

Canora Grey

This console curio cabinet has a standard short 30" height, 38" width, and a 12" depth with a 13" tall by 9.5" deep by 32.25" wide single shelf that can support a total 100-pound weight. Choose from a rich oak or walnut finish.

$285.99 ~~$349.99~~

Designer Advice:

Because console tables are shorter and more versatile in placement, there is usually less room for storing and displaying items. A single-shelf console curio can show off prized possessions while being compact enough to use for a TV stand or positioned behind your sofa in the center of a room. The top space is perfect for pictures or decor.

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Rustic Distressed Console Curio Stand

Alcott Hill®

This rustic console curio stand has two choices of distressed dark finish for a casual, traditional feel that can go into any space. Adjustable glass shelving, a mirrored back, built-in lighting, and lockable beveled doors add safety and style.

Designer Advice:

This rustic modern console cabinet has a traditional wide short stance, two adjustable glass shelves accented by built-in lighting, a mirrored back, a distressed wood finish, and glass-paned sides and doors. Designs with locks offer additional safety features for items with as much symbolic worth as they do a monetary one.

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Trendy Traditional Compact Console Cabinet

Charlton Home®

This medium-sized 30" tall by 32" wide curio console table comes in four earthy wood finishes to suit your interior style. The tapered block legs give a modern touch to the single-shelf traditional rectangular frame with a glass front and single-centered door.

$299.99 ~~$358.74~~

Designer Advice:

You can use many design characteristics to give a unique personality and style to a standard console curio cabinet design. For example, by changing the legs' style, height, and shape, you can get a different format to accent or contrast the cabinet's theme. The position and number of the doors also affect the look.

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Console Curio Cabinets

Buying Guide

A curio cabinet displays a collection of objects. Glass shelves within a glass front and sides create a view of the contents. Designed to fit in with a home's decor, console curio cabinets make a focal point of your prized possessions.

Materials

Natural Wood - Solid wood is the most prominent material used for console curio cabinets. Common woods include oak, walnut, cherry and maple. Heirloom quality will keep these cabinets preserved for many generations when cared for.
Manufactured Wood - Not as substantial as solid wood, manufactured wood regains a quality look for many years. Veneers and wood, like ash, are manufactured to deliver a presence of real wood. Less expensive than solid wood, but able to make a stunning display.
Glass - Quality glass shelving can be clear with smoothed edges. More elegant pieces may have a bronze tint and be beveled on the edges. Some shelves are adjustable. Exterior glass often has a tinted coating to prevent glare.
Mirrors - Console curio cabinets may possess a mirrored backing to add clarification to each piece.
Lighting - The presentation of objects stand out in glory when upper lighting is added inside the cabinet. Held in the top frame to avoid being seen, one or more display bulbs are set with an electrical switch to operate.
Hardware - Brass, brushed metal or pewter knobs or handles are typically found on elegant curio cabinets.

Styles

The main feature of a curio cabinet is what is on display. However, different sizes and styles have to be considered when choosing the best one for your decor.

1 and 2 Shelf - Console curio cabinets that are 30-inches tall normally have a bottom shelf and one glass shelf at mid-height. These models are good for showing off larger objects such as vases, dishes or any taller collectibles.
5 and 6 Shelf - These units can stand as tall as 84-inches. Depending on the length of the cabinet, they may be able to hold larger items. Measure your collection before ordering a cabinet to create a good balance on each shelf. There should be at least a 2-inch gap from the top of the collectible to the floor of the next shelf. Avoid overcrowding items. They should be visible from 2 or 3 sides in order to appreciate their beauty.
Traditional to Country - There is a stately presence in traditional console curio cabinets. Deep natural wood outlines the case with ornate molding and a slight period style. There are also models that keep a similar style, but are created from light wood to distressed wood for a particular decor.

Best Locations

Find a location where your cabinet will extend the most attention. Keep it away from traffic areas to avoid contents getting bumped and rattled. Use low-hanging pictures for 30 inch high cabinets. Separate higher cabinets from furnishings. Beside doorways, in spacious corners or between rooms are a few ideas for tall and thin console curio cabinets.

Console Curio Cabinets