A Major ’90s Storage Trend Is Back: Here Are 8 Stylish Ways to Showcase Items in a Display Cabinet Today

Display cabinets are making a stylish comeback, putting an updated spin on traditional 1990s china cabinets. If you immediately picture an ornate oak hutch filled with everything from dishes to dusty trinkets, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the modern nature of the classic's comeback. Display cabinets are available in both wood and metal versions, featuring clean lines and designs that are versatile enough to fit into any room. It's not just the visual appearance of display cabinets that has evolved—their purpose has, too.

Whereas in the past they were reserved primarily for formal spaces such as dining rooms, they are much more versatile and relaxed today. Designers are using display cabinets in a variety of ways, from styling beautiful vignettes in contemporary living rooms to creating unique storage options in bathrooms. "Display cabinets work not only to showcase and store beautiful objects, but they also act as a focal point furniture piece within any room," says Steve Cordony, interior designer and author of Moments at Home: Interior Inspiration for Every Room. Ahead, the designer shares ideas for what to display in one of these cabinets and offers tips for styling the piece in a modern way.

Why Display Cabinets Are Trending Again

The design pendulum is swinging towards personalized, character-filled spaces, and industry professionals predict that a traditional aesthetic will replace stark minimalism in 2025. The resurgence of the display cabinet aligns perfectly with this home design trend.

"Armoires, bespoke joinery, and freestanding cabinets are being worked into interiors to bring a sense of the traditional to the space," Cordony says. While their intended purpose is the same as it was in the ’90s—to provide storage in a decorative manner—the designer says the furniture staple is getting a stylish update that's worthy of the piece and its contents to be the center of attention.

What to Display in the Cabinet

Suppose you don't own a china collection and are wondering what to put in the display cabinet. In that case, Cordony shares some of his personal favorites: "I love displaying books, objects from travels, and even linens stacked and folded beautifully to see pattern and texture," he says. When deciding what to display in the cabinet, consider its location and what makes sense both visually and practically.

1. Books

Style a display cabinet with books in the living room, family room, or playroom. To make the display look interesting, stand some books upright and stack larger books horizontally to serve as pedestals for decorative items, such as a picture frame or a piece of pottery. Keep the color of the spines in mind to ensure the shelves have a cohesive look, and that one bright-colored book spine doesn't cause a distraction.

2. Linens

If the display cabinet is located in a hallway between the bathroom and bedroom, it may make sense to use it to store extra linens for the bedroom and bathroom. Although these are practical objects, you can take care to display them in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Fold linens neatly, use decorative baskets to corral smaller pieces, and work in a couple of decorative items, such as a pretty storage box, to dress up the piece.

3. Travel Keepsakes

Keepsakes from your travels are a beautiful way to personalize display cabinet shelves. Good objects to display include miniature paintings, pottery, baskets, seashells, or a framed postcard. Not only do these items add a unique touch, but they also have sentimental value and keep happy memories on display.

4. Personal Collections

Display cabinets are a great spot to showcase a personal collection. Whether you collect a specific pottery pattern, you're a magazine lover, or you're a huge music fan, the cabinet can offer a window into your personal interests and add character to your home.

5. Craft Supplies

Use a display cabinet in a craft room, not just to store supplies, but to serve as inspiration and to remind you of what you have on hand. To ensure craft supplies stay neatly organized and cabinet shelves don't appear cluttered, utilize a mix of decorative storage vessels. Use clear bins to store pretty folded fabrics, Mason jars to hold colorful beads, buttons, and sequins, wicker baskets to corral yarn, and an assortment of mugs to store writing and drawing utensils.

6. Artwork

Artwork is not just for hanging on the walls; small pieces are perfect for displaying on cabinet shelves. A leaning piece of art is an excellent way to anchor a vignette and add a pop of color. Layering a couple of different-sized pieces creates depth and dimension, drawing the eye inside the cabinet. You can display framed photographs, paintings, and drawings, use a small easel to turn a little piece into a focal point, or showcase your kids' artwork for a fun way to personalize a display cabinet in the family room or playroom.

7. Special Family Heirlooms

One of the benefits of a display cabinet is that it's fully enclosed, providing protection for the items stored inside. This makes it ideal for displaying special family heirlooms, such as vintage books, china, holiday decorations, and even linens like tablecloths or runners that have been passed down. Sentimental family keepsakes, such as a pair of baby shoes, also make for a lovely display along with a framed photograph or a stack of vintage children's books.

8. Holiday Decor

As soon as the holiday season hits, deck the display cabinet with seasonal decor. Display a collection of small trees, showcase a collection of vintage ornaments in a beautiful bowl, style a couple of holiday-themed pieces of art into the mix, or arrange your favorite holiday greeting cards you've collected over the years.

Tips for Styling a Display Cabinet

Now that you know what to put inside your display cabinet, use the following tips to style the items in an intentional way.

1. Group Objects

To avoid a cluttered appearance and make the cabinet shelves appear as though they were styled with intention, Cordony recommends grouping items. "Group objects and create vignettes as you would if you were styling a coffee table or bedside," he says. Instead of relying on a symmetrical setup, think in odd numbers when grouping items for a more interesting effect. Vary the height and texture of the objects to create depth and dimension, but maintain a consistent thread, whether that's a theme, such as pottery or baskets, or a color scheme.

2. Create a Monochromatic Look

Sticking with a limited color palette is one of Cordony's design tricks for styling a display cabinet in an updated way. "Use color to create a monochromatic installation that feels more modern," he says. Take color cues from the room and the objects themselves to see if a color theme emerges, then edit your collection to adhere to a monochromatic look. To prevent the display from looking boring, create visual contrast through elements other than color—just varying the height, size, shape, and texture of the objects will make an eye-catching vignette.

3. Play with Height

You don't want all that you see when you look at a display cabinet to be the backing behind the shelves. But you also don't necessarily want the support to be hidden entirely, especially if it's made of beautiful wood or it's painted a pretty color. To create a harmonious sense of balance, play with height when styling the cabinet shelves. Bring in a tall object or a stack of folded linens, then contrast it with smaller items. Layer different-sized picture frames to create depth and dimension, and bring shorter items to the forefront to keep taller ones in the back visible.

4. Vary the Size

Display cabinet shelves can quickly resemble a store shelf if you display too many objects that are similar in appearance and size. The likeness will only appear cluttered, especially if all the objects are very small. Vary the size of the items you display, and if you do have a lot of small things you want to style the cabinet shelves with, anchor them using larger items such as decorative trays and bowls. This will create more definition and separation, and provide another layer of visual interest through the vessel's color, shape, and texture.