The Versatility of Display Cabinets

By Elizabeth L Iacono

Display cabinets (and many variants thereof) can often be found in stores and offices as an alternative to traditional shelves or counter-style showcases. But that can't be the only reason that store owners and others like to use them, can it? Not in my opinion. To me, display cabinets are one of those tools that have a number of qualities to them that make them adaptable to many locations and situations. And they're not just suitable for stores and offices, but could also work in the residences of many people as well. We'll return to that later, but first we'll get into some of the other reasons that display cabinets are so versatile.
They come in many different styles.
If you search around online, you'll run across a large number of display cabinets, in many different varieties. There are narrow, tower-style cabinets that have a small footprint (perfect for rooms that don't have much floor space to spare!). There are bigger displays that are the same height as the towers but over double the width to store more items, or showcase larger goods than a tower case can support. A wall mounted option could be a good choice if your goal is to bring your collectibles or salable items up to customers' eye level. All of these styles can be found in a wide variety of materials, like MDF, laminate, and solid hardwood construction, as well as with aluminum supports and framing. Whether your store or home has a very traditional style of décor, or chooses a more modern styling, there's a display cabinet out there that will mesh nicely with the look you've got going on.
They have built-in features designed to attract customers.
Even if you're putting a display cabinet up in a residence, you still want your guests to come over and see your collections, which is where these additions come in. Many display cabinets have lights installed which you can angle in the perfect position to spotlight your collectibles. If you want to give a 360 degree view of your items (this is especially good in the middle of a large sales floor) look for display cabinets that are labeled 'Full Vision', which provide you with a nice view of the item no matter what side of the case you're standing by. Other cases have a mirrored back to bounce the lights onto the objects held inside the case. This style of case is great for being displayed against the wall, leaving the sales floor clear. Against-the-wall styles are also good in residences.
Speaking of residences, where else can these display cabinets be used?
If you can fit the cabinet into your room, then you can use it. Okay, that may have sounded a bit silly, but the sentiment is a legitimate one. Bringing it back to the versatility I mentioned at the beginning of the article, one of the beautiful things about display cabinets is that they can be used just about anywhere storage and showcasing need to be combined. This means that they're perfect in places like jewelry stores or boutiques that feature antique or artisanal products. Electronics stores could use display cabinets for smaller pieces (while these are sizable pieces of furniture, it may be hard to get a big flat screen TV in there) such as video cameras or smart phones.
Schools are another place where display cabinets can often be found. They're a great place to store trophies and other awards the students have earned while keeping them safe from accidental damage. Offices can take advantage of the cases for similar reasons. How about a museum or art gallery? A display cabinet would be a good addition there as well, especially for three-dimensional sculptural pieces. Cabinets are often designed to keep dust and other environmental debris out, so artwork will stay safe in there.
There are plenty of models out there that would look great set up in a home office or the living room of a personal residence. Collectible figurines and other tchotchkes can be stored on the multiple shelves, along with DVDs or books. Family heirlooms and vintage photographs would be nicely highlighted while being kept safe from dust (and pets running around the house. Not that I'm saying damage would be deliberately caused, but I'm a pet owner myself. They can be accidentally yet highly destructive).
One of the best things about the expansive variety of display cabinets means that there's also a nice variety of price points as well. There are cases that work on a budget, cases that are designed for retail bulk orders, deluxe hardwood models, and plenty others in between. So as I always suggest, if you're in the market for a new display cabinet, get online and start scouring the internet for the best deals. There are plenty of options out there waiting for you!