Showcases for the living room: a review of new designs in modern and classic design styles

The living room is the informal heart of the home. Therefore, close attention is paid to its furnishings. A convenient solution for your collection of dishes is a showcase for displaying dishes in the living room . The variety of furniture offered for this room raises many design questions. In the living room they not only communicate, but also eat. Therefore, cabinets with dishes are installed as part of a set or independently.

Bright living room with display case for dishes

A traditional showcase is a structure made of glass and wood . The abundance of glass surfaces creates an elegant and festive mood, and ceramics and porcelain displayed inside complement the impression. In addition to dishes, you can display figurines and other artifacts in the display case, which will be combined with the main collection.

A traditional showcase is a structure made of glass and wood

A cabinet with dishes displayed will demonstrate the excellent taste of its owner. This is especially important if the collection contains expensive porcelain or antiques. Presented in a favorable light, the service, playing with all its colors, will not stand idle; you will not want to put it away in the pantry. The housewife will have a reason to take the dishes out of the closet and use them for their intended purpose.

Living room with a display case for dishes in a classic style

Advice. If there are small children or animals in the house, purchase cabinet models where the glazing is made of tempered glass. Then, even in the case of outdoor games in the dining room, the risk of injury will be low.

Purpose and features of showcases

The main purpose of the display case is to store expensive dishes, collections of various things, vases, souvenirs, collectible wines and decorative elements. Thanks to the glass doors and sides, all items are clearly visible and, at the same time, protected from dust and damage.

Showcases are characterized by some features that provide a good overview and visual volume:

Transparency of doors and sometimes side walls;
Mirror on the inside;
Glass shelves.

A display case for a living room can be called a multifunctional piece of furniture: It serves to display objects and decorate the interior. Most often used for classic design.

Display cabinet location in the room

This type of furniture can be installed anywhere. Most often, the display case is placed against the wall. A closet standing on the aisle will interfere with movement around the room. But if you want to divide the room into segments, you can place furniture right in the middle of the room. Such a solid partition allows daylight to pass through, and objects can be reached from both sides.

To add individuality to the interior, you can purchase furniture in a round or even triangular shape . If the display case is positioned against the wall, the lamps on both sides of the cabinet will look unusually impressive, matching in style with the exhibits located on the shelves.

To add individuality to the interior, you can purchase furniture in a round or even triangular shape.

Display cabinets for dishes can frame the entrance to the room instead of walls. At the same time, light passes through them, entering the next room. You can place two display cabinets symmetrically, on two sides of the TV or fireplace. It’s good if the color of this furniture is repeated in the interior.

Massive display case for dishes in a bright living room

The color of the exhibits themselves should also be present somewhere in the room. For example, if the closet contains a set of intense cobalt blue, curtains or lampshades containing blue in the design can be combined with it.

Advice. If you are a passionate collector, it is better to display not the most expensive items in the collection. Valuables are best kept in a safe.

Items displayed in the window will not gather dust without use. You can look at them for hours. New guests will have something to do, because when they find themselves in an unfamiliar interior, they always want to examine its details.

See alsoHow to choose a transforming table for the living room

Showcase models

There are different types of display structures, differing in size, design, shape, installation methods and stylistic affiliation.

This piece of furniture is considered quite rare and is used mainly in classic interiors, but if you wish, you can choose a showcase that will fit into the modern style.

What is a display cabinet?

Today, living room display cabinets, familiar to many from childhood, are gradually returning to our homes. In fact, the ancestors of modern showcases decorated living rooms in rich houses back in the 18th century - these were elegant pieces of handmade furniture that spoke very well about the status of the owners of the house.

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The name “living room display cabinet” may seem strange at first glance, but it is associated with the design features, appearance and functionality of this item. The design and design solutions can be very different; a common feature of display cabinets is large glass elements through which all the contents are visible. As a result, the room retains a feeling of lightness, without being overwhelmed by a large cabinet. It is also worth noting that such furniture easily fits into any design thanks to the volumetric glazing.

Display cabinets with glass for the living room have two functions at once: practical and aesthetic. The first is the ability to store things, while the second is an attractive, non-standard appearance. Thus, original decorative ornaments, carved elements, antique fittings and patterned glass are used to decorate shop windows.

Classic model

The most common option, which can have any shape and size. There are straight, angular, suspended structures equipped with one or two doors.

Their main features:

Strict lines and graceful shapes;
Decorations in the form of wooden carvings on the body and engravings on the glass;
Noble fittings;
The presence of curly legs and a superstructure on the roof.

Classic products are made from natural materials.

Video material

A sideboard is a fairly common piece of furniture, but, unfortunately, not all housewives know how to make good use of the space on its shelves. In order for this item to decorate and complement the interior of the room with its appearance, you must know how to beautifully arrange the dishes in the sideboard in the living room. Useful recommendations from this article will help you understand this matter and prevent the most common mistakes of incorrect placement. You can safely arrange the dishes on the shelves as your taste dictates. The main thing is to remember that a sideboard is an island of graceful beauty in your living room, and not a storage unit for rows of glasses, shot glasses and plates.

Wall display

A small elegant model is mounted on the wall. Externally, it may resemble a kitchen cupboard, complemented by a mirrored wall and equipped with glass shelves. The sides of the wall display can also be transparent.

This product does not imply excessive filling. Inside you can place wine glasses, souvenirs, and photo frames. To save space, you can install a cabinet or chest of drawers under the hanging display case. This will be the best option for a small living room.

How to arrange a tableware exhibition

In order for the exhibits to look attractive, follow the rules for exhibiting them:

Stylish living room interior with functional design

Large vases and teapots are best placed in the background
Small souvenirs are placed in the front rows ·
Dishes should match in style; do not place antiques next to African figurines

It is desirable that the closet matches the style of the items in it. Products with antique-style carved legs are combined with classic porcelain. Ethnic sculpture and tableware in a laconic futuristic style will harmonize with a cabinet model without decorations, with smooth and straight surfaces.

It is advisable that the wardrobe matches the style of the items in it.

Lighting will significantly transform a familiar closet. Even with the lights off, you can admire the brightly illuminated display case. LED backlight can be white or colored. Blue and other cool colors are often used to illuminate glasses and crystal. For traditional sets, lighting with a normal light spectrum is suitable. Fluorescent lamps are undesirable; they fade colors.

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Model slide

Massive walls were recently replaced by sideboards, which immediately became popular due to their compact size and good capacity. The display structures were created in their likeness.

The showcase and sideboard are almost identical except for some details:

The showcase has a more rounded top, decorated with decorative elements;
The walls form a multifaceted structure and create volume;
The showcase is more open and transparent.

Corner slides are especially popular. They don't take up much space but can hold a large number of items.

Rules of care

Care is necessary not only for the dishes, but also for the sideboard.

All utensils must be wiped down periodically, even if you do not use them.

What you need to do for this:

Wipe dust from dishes and shelves with a damp microfiber or flannel cloth.
Do not use household chemicals at all or, if possible, minimize them.
After using a damp cloth, be sure to wipe it dry so that there are no streaks left.
Use special products to care for glass and ceramic surfaces.
Avoid overloading shelves and metal grids (no more than 10 kg).
Regularly take preventive measures against the appearance of rust on metal parts of fittings.
The service life of the sideboard will be significantly extended if loose bolts, nails, and self-tapping screws are promptly secured.

Showcase chest of drawers

This piece of furniture looks unusual and impressive, but is quite rare.

Its main feature is its low height, which makes it possible to use the tabletop to place decorative items: lamps, vases, photo frames, souvenirs and much more.
The chest of drawers can have a rectangular, triangular or round shape, which allows it to fit into any interior design.

Varieties

For dishes in the living room, you can use different types of display cabinets. If you have an unusual design with modern elements, then you don’t have to give up this item. On sale you can find a variety of designs that will fit perfectly into any living room style. And if desired, this item can be made to order according to preferences.

Classical

Classic showcases are considered the most popular, which can be used for a classic interior. These products can be suspended, floor-mounted, narrow, wide, high, low. The most popular shade of these products is wenge. This color gives furniture and interior elegance, luxury, and richness. Also, classic-looking display cabinets can have other colors, but preference should be given to wood-like colors.

The main features of classic furniture:

classic showcases have straight and strict lines that emphasize the shape of the structure;
these products can have various carved patterns and figures on the outer surface that make this furniture luxurious and rich;
the top and bottom of the cabinets often have a beautiful frame with carved elements, beautiful inserts made of wood, metal or natural stone;
classic showcases, decorated in the old style, may have scuffs, massive legs and unusual handles. You can place expensive figurines and beautiful tableware in these designs.

Mounted

The hanging display case for dishes in the living room has an interesting design. From the name of these products it becomes clear that they are installed not on the floor, but on the wall. A small frame with several shelves and glass doors can be hung on the wall surface.

You can put several books, photo frames, figurines, beautiful wine glasses, and sets on the shelves. The entire structure will add brightness and originality to the design. She will be able to divide the living room into certain zones.

The wall display must be installed on a flat, solid wall. There should be no bumps, holes, or slopes on the surface of the wall. You can install a TV in the center of the structure, this will help save room space. These options will fit perfectly into small living rooms.

Showcase slide

Many people are familiar with the slide sideboard; the display case is practically no different from this product. The appearance of the display cabinet completely repeats all the outlines of the sideboard. The modern modification has several characteristics:

products of this type have a rounded top, which is often decorated with carved designs and inserts made of wood, metal, natural stone or plastic;
The side parts are made in the shape of a polyhedron; it looks especially beautiful if these parts are made of mirror glass. This gives the product volume and brightness to the living room;
the display cabinet consists of several segments of cabinets that have open shelves and glass doors;
the doors can be hinged or sliding. Sliding ones are considered convenient; they open independently of each other, but at the same time are combined into a single whole;
You can store various dishes, plates, cups, wine glasses, glasses and even books in display cabinets.

Chest of drawers

A display chest of drawers is an unusual product that looks quite impressive. It will fit perfectly into almost any interior style and will add certain bright features and colors. A display cabinet with glass combines several functions at once - they can be used to store things, clothes, and also to display decorative elements. If in the ancient times of the USSR these designs looked unsightly, then modern display cabinets have spectacular outlines, luxurious decorative elements, and unusual colors. And the forms can be very different, namely:

rectangular;
triangular;
oval;
rounded;
square.

These characteristics allow the designs to successfully fit into almost any interior style, and they will perfectly complement it.

Square

Oval Rectangular

Angular

Manufacturing materials

Like any piece of cabinet furniture, a showcase can be made of natural or artificial materials. Since it is more often found in classic settings, preference is given to products made from natural wood.

Materials from which display cases are made

The following materials are used to make furniture for displaying dishes:

Modern living room with original and fashionable design

Wood is a traditional material. Often showcases are made in walnut color. Such furniture looks elegant and combines with classical or baroque style. Carving decorations enhance the impression.
MDF - a modern inexpensive material, consists of pressed crushed wood, usually used in combination with other materials. The chipboard has a decorative laminated coating

Living room interior with a stylish display case for dishes with closed shelves
Chipboard - often used to create budget furniture. It is cheaper than solid wood, heavy, durable, but afraid of moisture.
Plastic – such models are suitable for pop art or eclectic style interiors. Plastic models can be bright green or bright pink and will delight lovers of non-standard solutions.

Bright living room with display case for dishes
Forged metal is heavy and durable. Products made from it are decorated with decorative forged parts, suitable for Provence or eclectic style.

Solid wood

Natural material is used to produce the base of the product - the floor, the back wall of the roof. The cost of wood is high, but it is a worthy price to pay for its beauty, strength and long service life. The environmental safety of the material deserves special attention.

The solid wood frame does not emit harmful substances, is distinguished by its elegance and beauty of form, is not afraid of loads and external factors, and maintains a presentable appearance for many years.

Modern sideboard

Designers love to use chic, classic sideboards to highlight the beauty of certain interior styles. However, due to excessive ornateness, a classic sideboard is unlikely to become a harmonious element of modern designs, so this piece of furniture has been slightly transformed to suit today's requirements and preferences.

Unlike its ancestor, a modern sideboard is made not only from wood, but also from many other materials - acrylic, plastic, stainless steel, glass, etc., which allows you to give it absolutely any decorative direction.

Design modifications also affected the design of the product. Today's sideboard is not a symbiosis of a sideboard and a cabinet, but a universal piece of furniture that allows you to solve many functional problems. For example, almost every major furniture manufacturer produces corner sideboards for the living room, the design of which includes wide and narrow shelves, pull-out elements, drawers and cabinets. Thanks to its angular shape, such a piece of furniture does not take up extra space, but at the same time opens up great opportunities for arranging many things - dishes, interior decorations, books, etc.

Corner sideboard for the living room

Every woman thinks about what kind of utensils should be in the kitchen. At first glance, the question may seem insignificant - you need a variety of dishes: everyday and holiday, general and individual. However, for convenience and functionality, there should be no unnecessary objects in the room space. Let's look at what utensils to choose for the kitchen to ensure the comfort of cooking and eating. What is a must-buy, and what utensils can be neglected?

Plate materials

Artificial materials for making frames include chipboard and MDF. Often, chipboard can serve as a basis for natural veneer and compete with wood. MDF can also take any shape and has excellent strength characteristics.

Board materials have good performance qualities and are significantly lower in price.
The advantages also include a wide range of colors and design variability.
Showcases made from slab materials are suitable for any stylistic decisions.

Why do you need a sideboard?

If the shelves themselves were decorated with dishes, sets and other kitchen appliances, then housewives liked to store table linen and other household items in drawers. In the past, it was believed that only wealthier owners could afford a sideboard, since quite expensive crystal dishes were stored on its shelves, which were necessarily displayed.

For this purpose, the shelves inside the sideboard were equipped with special additional lighting. Also, sometimes, to visually increase the space, the inside of the sideboard is lined with a mirror surface.

Selecting forms

A large number of models of display cabinets for the living room makes it possible to choose an option for a room of any size, shape and stylistic orientation.

There are three main types of forms of display cabinets:

Straight;
Angular;
Non-standard.

Straight models are installed along the walls and are suitable for spacious full-sized living rooms.

Corner ones are good for small rooms, as they significantly save space. Non-standard shapes can have round, polygonal or other shapes, suitable for many modern styles.

When choosing a suitable showcase, you should take into account the dimensions of the room, the expected details of the furnishings, the style of the interior and the features of the items intended for placement. Also, do not forget about personal tastes and preferences.

Design features

When choosing inexpensive cupboards for your living room, you need to understand that the main purpose of this furniture is a decorative component. This means that you shouldn’t store ordinary dishes in it; a kitchen cabinet or a simple, closed cabinet is quite suitable for these purposes.

It is customary to place the most beautiful dishes in the display case, thereby focusing the attention of guests on family values and things dear to the heart.

Photo of a display case for the living room

Baking dish

The kitchen baking set includes large pie pans, muffin pans, large kneading board, dumpling pan, cookie cutters, etc. Such a set can have one or two forms or a dozen forms of various sizes made of plastic, metal and silicone (depending on the desire of the housewife to prepare homemade sweets).

You can use pans to knead the dough. But if possible, it is worth purchasing a couple of enamel bowls: a large one - for kneading a large amount of dough (for pancakes, pies). Small - for kneading small baked goods.

A set of baking utensils complements the gentleman's kitchen set:

wooden spoons for kneading dough;
wooden spatula for turning pancakes;
whisk for whipping;
pastry syringe for cream;
wooden rolling pin;
a couple of good non-stick baking sheets.

In addition to baking utensils, the gentleman's kitchen set includes:

a set of graters with different cell sizes;
colander;
ladle;
meat hammer;
can-opener;
potholders, towels, aprons.

In addition to the large wooden board for the dough, you need two more cutting boards of more modest sizes (approximately 50x70 cm). One of the boards is intended for cutting meat, fish, and poultry. The second is for cutting vegetables.

Kitchen utensils: essential housewife set

The golden rule of furnishing a room is: only what is used in the room is needed.

For kitchenware, this rule allows you to select the right number of pots, pans and other utensils in your kitchen cabinet. How to choose the right amount of kitchenware - not too much and not too little?

The number of containers for preparing food is determined by the composition of the family. For one or two people, at least three enamel pots, two frying pans and one cast iron cauldron are needed.

Pots

Pots should be of different sizes. If this is a dish set, then the containers stack into each other and take up minimal space in the closet. It’s okay if the pans are from different sets or were purchased separately. The main thing is the quality of the cookware: the presence of enamel, thick bottom, aesthetic appearance.

A large saucepan is the queen of kitchen utensils. It is intended for preparing first courses. Its volume is determined at the rate of 0.7 liters for each family member. However, even for one or two people, it is recommended to have a large 3 liter saucepan in the house. It is used for preparing food for a holiday or receiving guests.

The second pan is necessary for preparing side dishes (porridge, potatoes, vegetable dishes). Its volume is slightly smaller - approximately 0.5 liters for each family member.

The third pan is for heating previously prepared food. It is used when you need to feed one or two family members. Its volume is about 0.3 liters per person.

For a family of 4 people, you need a set of pans of 3 l, 2 l and 1.2-1.5 l. For a large family of 6 people, the volumes of the pots are larger - 4-4.5 l, 3 l and 2 l. At the same time, for a large family, it is better to increase the number of medium pans - two or three medium or two medium and two small pans per family.

For a family with a small child, a stewpan is necessary. This is a small, convenient pan with a long handle. This piece of kitchen utensils allows you to handle heating porridge, milk or other dishes with one hand.

Frying pans and cauldrons

A must-have in your kitchen utensil set is a cauldron - a cast-iron pan for stewing meat, vegetables and preparing pilaf. The second version of the cauldron is a duckling pan - an elongated pan for cooking poultry. The main requirement for a cauldron or duck pot is a thick bottom, metal handles (so that the dishes can be placed in the oven), and cast iron walls. In a cast iron pot, meat, vegetables, mushrooms, and fish are stewed in their own juices.

A frying pan is a utensil for frying. There should be at least two frying pans in a family. One (with high sides) for preparing fried dishes, as well as for heating ready-made side dishes. The second (with low sides) is a pancake maker.

The design of a large frying pan should have a removable handle (to put it in the oven). The pancake maker should have a long, comfortable wooden handle.

How to choose dishes for the kitchen so that you don’t have to buy them again in a couple of years?

The best frying pan and the most durable pan is cast iron.

Nonstick pan sets will work, but their longevity is measured in years, while cast iron cookware lasts for decades. Therefore, the most durable choice for a kitchen frying pan is a cast iron model. Such utensils can not only be used for many years, but also passed on by inheritance.

Teaware: teapot, teapot, thermos

The traditional metal kettle has been replaced by an electric device for heating and boiling water. This device allows you to prepare a tea drink or brew coffee in a matter of minutes. In addition to the electric kettle, a ceramic teapot is useful for brewing tea for the whole family. And also a thermos, in which brewed tea can retain heat, aroma and taste for a long time.

Modern cupboard, photo

The living room usually contains a lot of furniture - sofas, armchairs, a modular wall, separate sideboards, chests of drawers, chairs, tables, tables, consoles. Today you can purchase a modern display sideboard that will become a real decoration of the room. The design and facades of modern models look different. This can be a classic sideboard or a modern showcase, in the upper part of which there are shelves behind glass fronts, and in the lower part there is a closed drawer.

If you need to create a stylish modern interior, you should choose glass models, pay attention to the lighting and the color of the facades.

What to put in a cabinet with glass doors? A practical, versatile cabinet useful for housing:

beautiful services,
tea sets,
crystal collections,
decorative vases,
souvenirs,
exposition of some elements of the collections.

Glass cupboard for the living room, photo

The living room is an ideal place to store jewelry and souvenirs. Sea shells brought back from a trip, antiques from flea markets, old family photographs - these items can be placed on the shelves. Beautiful dishes and collections of trinkets are beautifully presented behind a glass panel that protects the exhibits from dust deposits. You can place your most read and favorite books in a prominent place so that you always have them at hand.

Style is everything

It is important not only to choose a stylish wardrobe for yourself, but also to take care of the “image” of the sideboard. The dishes placed in it should be harmoniously combined in terms of purpose and the material from which they are made. Crystal and ceramics cannot be placed together. Shot glasses, glasses and wine glasses are not suitable “neighbors” for tea sets.

If you have expensive dishes, but you practically never use them, it is not rational to take up space with them in the sideboard. It’s better to put there what you use every day. This will simplify the process of setting the table, and there’s no point in hiding luxury dishes behind glass.

Sideboard in the living room

Important! Dishes should be combined not only in quality and purpose, but also in cost. The photo shows how you can stylishly and neatly place plates, cups, and gravy boats in a sideboard with glass doors.

Construction and design of classic sideboards

The design of the sideboard resembles a table buffet. But, unlike a buffet, a sideboard can consist of several sections, each of which is designed to store certain things.

In its classic embodiment, a sideboard is a piece of furniture, conditionally consisting of two elements:

upper body with glass doors;
bottom chest of drawers.

The world's first sideboards were made exclusively from precious wood. The fashion of the 18th century demanded ornateness, sophistication and pretentiousness, so sideboards were often decorated with complex carved elements, gold plating, curved legs and rich fittings. At the same time, the sideboard could be made either in the form of a single structure or in the form of two independent elements - a massive wide chest of drawers and an elongated high display case. The chest of drawers, as a rule, was equipped with shelves or drawers in which housewives stored kitchen utensils or textile items. As for the display case, its space was divided by shelves into several sectors, thanks to which it was possible to place a lot of tableware and porcelain items.

Materials for cabinets with glass

Today you can choose from what material to buy a display case for dishes. The following options are available:

MDF. They are made by dry pressing small chips under high pressure and temperature. It is inexpensive and, due to its characteristics, is most popular among buyers;
Chipboard. It is produced from shavings using hot pressing with the addition of various binding resins. A popular option is varnished chipboard. Varnishing gives the product a beautiful shine, while at the same time protecting the surface from mechanical damage. The material is quite strong and heavy, but can swell and delaminate when exposed to moisture;
Plastic and forged metal are found infrequently, mainly in decorative finishes. The first is more suitable for furniture made in eclectic and art deco styles, the second is in demand when recreating the provincial spirit of Provence.

We should also talk about cabinets that are made of wood. Calm forms, natural smell and unique aura make up the soul of such furniture. Therefore, more modern materials made using the latest technologies will always be inferior to wooden showcases with glass, which are much more expensive. Another positive side is the individual production of each model. The hands of a master process the wood and give it the desired shape, putting his skill and a piece of his soul into any detail.

For cabinets, types of wood such as oak, beech, birch, pine, and larch are used. There are models made of boxwood and pistachio wood. The choice of a specific variety depends on personal preferences and financial capabilities.

Cabinets made of wood and glass fit well into any modern interior, from laconic minimalism to lush baroque. And the functionalism of such items will allow them to be fashionable and relevant for many years.

Personal items: plates and cups

Plates are a must-have item in kitchen utensil sets. You need two sets of them: everyday (for family members and immediate relatives) and festive (for parties and birthdays). A festive set of dishes, including plates, spoons, forks, trays, and table decorations are stored in a closet or on the mezzanine. Daily utensils are located in the kitchen.

The following types of plates are required for daily meals:

deep soup bowls for first courses;
medium small plates for main courses;
tea saucers for desserts.

In addition, large dishes are needed to serve pies and salads.

The modern ceramic industry offers various shapes of plates: with and without handles, round, oval and square, with a pattern or plain, in various colors. The choice of design and appearance is determined by the preferences of the owners and the style of decoration of the room.

Unusual options for placing kitchen utensils

If you approach the placement of dishes without standard cliches, you can come up with a couple of unexpected options for storing kitchen items. To do this, you need to take into account the requirements for a place to store dishes: it should be nearby (at hand), it should not be closed (doors get in the way for ease of use), it should not occupy useful space in the kitchen.

An unconventional place for hanging ladles, frying pans and stewpans is... the ceiling of the room. If you build special rails or wooden planes around the lamp, you will get an original lamp with the function of a place to place dishes.

Another option is to place metal utensil magnets on walls and cabinet doors. They can form a line, a contour pattern. For example, a wave, the sun, an apple or a large plate.

Thoughtful organization of space in the kitchen ensures convenience and comfort of cooking and family dinners. Non-standard solutions are becoming new devices for storing kitchen items.