An online lifestyle magazine for Christian women
China cabinets are a wonderful way to display a collection of decorative items. You can display your prized china collection or an eclectic mix of accessories. The glass doors keep your treasures safe and dust free. If you learn how to style a china cabinet beautifully, you can turn yours into a stunning focal point in your home.
I have a china cabinet in my living room, and a china hutch in my kitchen. Over the years I’ve really perfected my technique when it comes to styling them. I’ve also made some aesthetic improvements to the pieces themselves that help the items inside really pop!
If you’re interested in learning how to style a china cabinet, look no further! This post is a comprehensive guide to styling them from top to bottom.
When it comes to arranging your china cabinet, there are some rules to follow that will make for more eye pleasing displays.
If you have a set of matching china or a collection of vintage decanters, display them together. Separating them will dilute the impact, but they can be very impressive when grouped.
This tip might be obvious, but larger items should sit toward the back while smaller ones should sit forward. This allows everything to stay visible on the shelves.
In design, even numbers are not as pleasing to the eye as odd numbers. Display items in groups of three or five, depending on their size and how much space you have.
When combining all the elements, group items together of different colors, materials, and sizes. Having a variety on each shelf will keep the eye interested in the display.
What should you display in your china cabinet? There are so many different things you can place in yours. Here is a list, which is by no means exhaustive.
The most obvious thing to display in your china cabinet is – china! Display your prized collection proudly so that it’s beautiful to look at, even when not in use.
I love displaying ginger jars of all sizes and colors. If you collect them, displaying them all together could be so gorgeous!
Display vases that are not in use and pieces of stunning pottery.
I love a nice bust or statue! They make an eye popping and classic addition to your china cabinet.
Vintage decanters can be used in more than just your bar cabinet. Cluster them together on a shelf for something pretty to look at.
Greenery can really add the wow factor to your china cabinet, but real plants probably won’t survive in there. Showcase some faux greenery or some pretty faux floral arrangements for a natural touch.
Your cabinet itself could probably use some sprucing up! Here are some simple changes to make your china cabinet memorable.
My china cabinet had a mirrored back (check it out in my living room tour post), and I really was not a fan. I felt like the reflective surface made it hard to see the items inside. To rectify this, I wallpapered the back of my cabinet. I just used hot glue, so the paper is removable should I tire of it or should the cabinet change owners. It really made the contents of the cabinet pop!
My cabinet has built in lighting, but you can add a picture light or a battery operated light from Amazon. This is a pretty way to showcase what’s inside, especially at night.
If you don’t like the finish of your china cabinet, try sanding it down and staining or painting it. This can really help you get a custom look that suits your style.
Some display items might require a little extra hardware. Trying putting cup hooks on the underside of a shelf to hang teacups, or add a strip of wood to the back of the shelf for a plate rail. You can also display plates using individual wire plate stands.
Do you have a china cabinet in your home? What can you do to take your display to the next level?
Lauren Magazine is an online lifestyle magazine for Christian women.
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