How to buy a display cabinet/dresser

No dream kitchen is complete without a traditional dresser to provide both practical storage and natural beauty. But their use can extend beyond the kitchen. They make superb focal points in living rooms too. And if you don’t have the space for a large dresser then consider a display cabinet. They are usually narrower so are good for filling corners or other restricted spaces.

What’s the difference?

A dresser will usually have a combination of drawers, cupboards and shelves and is ideal for looking after plates, cutlery, table linen and cook books. They tend to be the storage workhorses of the kitchen but are also perfect for displaying your favourite crockery and cutlery in addition to their practical everyday use. They are equally useful in a living room where they can be used to keep things clutter free. And because they come in a range of sizes, there’ll be one to suit any home.

A display cabinet tends to be tall and narrow and will usually have glass doors so your collectibles, crystal glassware and best china stay clean and protected while on show. They usually have a single drawer which can be used for polishes and cloths. A display cabinet will look smart all over your home, slotting into corners, giving landings a lift or making an eye-catching focal point in your living or dining room.

Things to consider

If you have the room and are going for the country kitchen look then a traditional dresser is the way to go. A dresser offers a mixture of shelves, cupboards and drawers and is extremely practical for everyday use by sheer virtue of the amount you can store and display. Perfect for showing off your best china as well as keeping cutlery, table linen and cook books neat and tidy, a dresser adds natural warmth, character and beauty to your space. It’s versatile too. Put one in your living room to look after books, ornaments, trophies and other items.

Space
Design
Size

Although space is the prime consideration, what you need to store is important too. Glass-fronted cupboards are perfect for protecting more delicate items, while multiple drawers and cupboards will keep all the things you don’t want on show out of sight. Think about how you are going to use it and it’ll be easier to work out the optimum configuration of shelves, cupboards and drawers you need.

Just because it’s traditional in design, a dresser doesn’t have to look old-fashioned. There is an extensive range of styles to choose from in a range of finishes. Clean-lined modern pieces and more traditionally rustic pieces can transform your space in different ways, either complementing or contrasting with your existing décor to great effect.

Size matters. Not just to make sure you buy a dresser or display cabinet that’s big enough for your needs, but also to check you can fit it into your home. Measure the space where you want it to go – height, width and depth – and then make sure that you measure the access space too.

Why choose wood?

Because it’s naturally beautiful and warm; because it has its own unique character; because it blends well with any décor; and because it’s strong, durable and looks better as it ages. Wood is versatile too – it can be stained, painted or varnished to suit your taste and décor.

Dress it up

A dresser or display cabinet can, with a little bit of imagination, add real wow factor to your home. Here are a few suggestions.

Stick to one theme for your display cabinet. Fill it with trophies or just glassware or your collection of espresso cups.
Arrange things by colour. A line of blue plates or red cups, for example, will look really striking on your dresser.
If you have a dresser in your living room, then fill the shelves with books or a collection of magazines.
Go quirky. Use the display cabinet to show off interesting things collected on your travels.
Create visually appealing stacks of bowls, plates or cups. Or mix vintage pieces in with the modern to create contrasts.

The links below will provide further food for thought on how to dress up your dresser. 11 Ways to Stylishly Organise your Dresser

How to care for your dresser or display cabinet

With a small amount of care and attention, your furniture should give you many years of sterling service.

Good quality beeswax applied every six months or so will nourish the wood, provide protection and keep it looking smart.
Wipe any spills immediately with a damp cloth then use a dry cloth to finish off.
Avoid putting your furniture in direct sunlight to avoid fading, or too near to a radiator to prevent joints and veneers weakening