Best Curio Cabinets For 2024

With a nice curio you can show off your treasured things in any room from the living room to your bedroom or even a home office. These display cabinets come in many different sizes and styles with optional features like internal lights.

I’ll cover the best curio cabinets on the market including both standing curio cabinets and hanging wall curios. This guide will cover absolutely everything and should help you pinpoint the perfect curio cabinet for your home.

What To Look For

To find a great curio you’ll need to know exactly what you want. Are you looking to display china in the dining room? Or do you have collectables that you want on display in your study or bedroom?

Curio cabinets come in two main styles: hanging and standing. In the early part of this guide I’ll cover standing curios and later delve into hanging curios.

But either way you need to measure your space and see how much room you’ve got. This step is huge and should be done before you even consider buying. And if you don’t have space against a wall you could look into corner curios which I’ll also cover in this post.

Generally you want to consider these features for every item:

• Price
• Weight
• Dimensions(width, length/depth, and height)
• Materials & finish
• Extra features(locking doors, lights, mirrored backs, etc)

Pay extra attention to the weight because this factors into your setup & assembly process. Very few curios are shipped pre-assembled so you’ll need to find the right placement for the final setup process.

But aside from the size and weight the rest comes down to preference.

Do you want a lighter wood finish or a darker finish? Are you okay with MDF which doesn’t handle water well, or do you prefer something like plywood or even solid wood?

Only you know the answer to these questions and every home has a slightly different style that’ll blend nicely with different finishes. But keep this in mind while browsing and make a list of preferences to keep yourself on track.

Thankfully most curio cabinets are designed in a similar fashion so finding one you like should be a piece of cake.

Contemporary Glass Curio

• Dimensions: 17″ W x 14″ D x 64″ H
• Weight: 88 lbs
• Shelves: 3
• Shelf Height: 15″
• Lighted: No

If you want something sleek and modern then this contemporary glass curio could work well. It comes with 3 glass shelves and glass sides so everything you put inside will be on display from all angles.

The actual glass is beautiful and there’s no tint or dirtying of the glass over time. The shelving units are completely transparent so this is a real visible item in the room. The front door panel also blends in and looks just like another side.

Fitting the actual shelves won’t be a problem as long as you plan ahead. Each shelf has about 15″ height including the very bottom which rests on the bottom panel. These shelves measure about 16″ wide and a little over 1 foot deep.

This wider style is preferred when you have lots of things you wanna show off and keep “in front” of other items.

You can expect to hold at least 7-10 lbs worth of items without any worry. Each shelf is made of tempered glass and held together using screws + small plastic corner wedges. These shelves probably can’t support your lucky bowling ball, but there’s no concern for display figurines or china.

For such a modern design I’m really impressed with this curio. It serves its purpose well by displaying the items inside in a clear manner with a sturdy construction.

And this curio is fairly tall measuring just over 5 feet which should look great anywhere in your home or apartment.

Contemporary Corner Curio

• Dimensions: 24″ W x 14.5″ D x 53″ H
• Weight: 64 lbs
• Shelves: 4
• Shelf Height: 12″-24″
• Lighted: No

Coaster Home Furnishings has some of the best furniture on the market. And this corner curio cabinet offers a clean rustic feel while keeping the size pretty small.

At only 53 inches tall this curio measures about 4.5 feet from ground to top. This will be taller than any average-sized adult so if you want a super tall curio you’ll need to look elsewhere. But if you’re OK with the smaller size this really can be a cute addition to the room.

The curio splits into two rows each with two doors. The middle section is not adjustable because of the door heights, however the internal shelves are adjustable so you can fit a variety of different items.

Note this is strictly shaped to be a corner curio cabinet. Because of the arched back it will not fit flush against a wall naturally so it’s really made to be placed into a corner.

Because it’s such a small unit you can’t expect to fit a whole lot in here. The depth inside the curio maybe measures just over a foot deep from door to back.

The actual rows measure about 14″W x 14″D with an adjustable height averaging 24″ tall. But this isn’t a solid square case and it doesn’t offer much room either, so keep this in mind before buying.

I think this could work well for smaller pieces of china or small collections of porcelain figures. But it’s definitely a small cabinet and will not fit a full china set.

Pulaski Two-Way Sliding Door Curio

• Dimensions: 46″ W x 15″ D x 83″ H
• Weight: 280 lbs
• Shelves: 5
• Shelf Height: 15″-30″
• Lighted: Yes

If you want a deluxe curio with a mirrored back, clear lighting, and a ton of adjustable shelf space, then the Pulaski 2-way sliding curio will solve all your problems.

One huge benefit to this curio is that it ships fully assembled straight to your door. The only thing you need to do is add the shelves in and place your knick-knacks.

Inside you get five different glass shelves along with a shelf at the very bottom made of the same wood as the cabinet. Near the very top you’ll find two bright halogen bulbs for lighting. These are easy enough to replace but should last a long time unless you’re leaving this on 24/7.

Each shelf is fully adjustable and you can rearrange them using pre-drilled holes with over 20 different positions. These shelves are made of glass but they feel sturdy. Pulaski recommends a max weight of 25 lbs which seems reasonable.

The mirrored back is truly beautiful and it offers a clean way to show off everything from more than one angle.

You can find similar models online but this particular model only comes from Pulaski and it only comes in the dark chocolate finish. If your room mostly has lighter colors then this may stick out like a sore thumb. But if you can get the darker color to blend nicely then you’ll be left in awe by the beauty of this cabinet.

Surprisingly I find the trim doesn’t actually get in the way of viewing. It feels very minimalist in design and the door isn’t fixed on hinges, but rather slides out to the side. To fully open the door you’ll need about 18-24″ of space to the side of the curio.

Luckily it can slide both ways so you can open one side, then move to the other and get away with maybe 10″ on either side.

Because this is such a massive unit you absolutely must measure before buying. It’s only about 1 foot deep from the wall so it definitely won’t jut out too far. But it measures almost 7 feet tall which is pretty massive.

If you have the space and love the design then don’t hesitate on this one. It is by far one of the most aesthetically brilliant curios I’ve ever seen, not to mention the simple usability and adjustable glass shelves that can store pretty much anything.

Pulaski Half Round Curio

• Dimensions: 32″ W x 17″ D x 76″ H
• Weight: 159 lbs
• Shelves: 5
• Shelf Height: 12″-16″
• Lighted: Yes

Some people prefer the rounded curios because they feel less rigid and offer a more contemporary feeling to the room. The Pulaski round curio is one of the best you can get with 5 adjustable shelves and a 6th shelf fixed at the bottom.

It measures pretty tall at about 6.3 feet and comes in a half-rounded shape so it’ll sit flush against a flat wall. It has a very dark finish which is common for many Pulaski curios.

Each shelf is fully adjustable averaging about 14″ height inbetween. But you can choose to make them much larger by removing some and only using 3 or 4 of the glass shelving units.

The glass used on each shelf is clear enough and doesn’t reflect much under the light. Since the light is kept inside a circular crevice it doesn’t bounce against the back mirror either.

This comes with two doors split between the upper and lower levels. But thankfully they’re not directly attached to any center column so you can move the glass shelves accordingly. And the doors have tight hinges that don’t look gaudy or take up much space.

All-in-all this half round curio is fantastic if you like the design style. It only comes in darker colors and it’s made for rooms that support that color along with the rounded shape. If that’s your situation then by all means give it a shot.

Coasters 950175 Rich Brown

• Dimensions: 33″ W x 22″ D x 82″ H
• Weight: 150 lbs
• Shelves: 5
• Shelf Height: 10″-17″
• Lighted: Yes

An interesting cabinet from Coasters is this rich corner curio which has a dark brown compressed wood frame with 5 interior glass shelves + a 6th bottom shelf.

This corner curio works well for displaying items because the glass front is much larger than the sides. It takes up a good portion of the space so you can display items of various sizes. And the glass shelves are adjustable so you can get as much space as you need.

Although you probably can’t tell just from looking at the photograph but this does have a top interior light. This means you’ll need to find a corner with a wall outlet to get this working, or you’ll need to run an extension cord to the nearest outlet.

The glass is absolutely beautiful and should be sturdy enough for most display pieces. However keep in mind this is an adjustable unit so the shelves are held in through pins on the sides. I’d keep the weight under 20 lbs if possible.

But the actual design is gorgeous. Measuring the width from side to side it pokes out just about 3 feet wide and should fit snug into any corner of the room.

It has one long door with a handle on the left side and it opens on hinges. You should have easy access to all items including the corner areas.

All-in-all if you have the space for this I think you’ll be pleased. The actual wood does feel somewhat cheap, possibly like plywood. But the finish looks incredible and if you’re just using this to display items you can’t beat the price.

Southern Enterprises Lighted Corner Curio

• Dimensions: 21.2″ W x 15″ D x 68″ H
• Weight: 83 lbs
• Shelves: 5(3 adjustable)
• Shelf Height: 11″-12″
• Lighted: Yes

Looking towards the lighter side of curios we have the Southern Enterprises Lighted Curio with two optional colors: golden oak & mahogany.

The lighter color looks great and it’s one of the few you can find that’s fitted for a corner and made in a rich brown tone. Both colors are built the same way and they have the same structural style with 5 total shelves, 3 of which are adjustable.

This unit comes with two “sections” with two separate doors for the top & bottom. The top area is taller than the bottom so you can fit two shelves in the top with one in the bottom. They only adjust about 1 inch in height so you have about 10-12 inches of leeway in any direction.

And remember this is a corner curio so it does have the slanted edges where some sides will have more space than others. The height is generally uniform across the whole surface so you shouldn’t have trouble fitting things you’ve measured ahead of time.

Considering the incredible craftsmanship and the affordable price I have to commend Southern Enterprises on this beautiful piece of furniture.

The total width is surprisingly small: a span of just under 2 feet. From the ground it measures about 5.5 feet so it’s not all that tall either.

If you like the design and need a corner curio this may be the best option for a lighter wood tone. Just make sure you have an outlet nearby for the top light!

Though it comes with a 9ft power cord so this should be long enough regardless of where you place it.

Kings Brand Espresso Curio

• Dimensions: 40″ W x 15.5″ D x 36″ H
• Weight: 80 lbs
• Shelves: 3(2 adjustable)
• Shelf Height: 7″-10″
• Lighted: No

Sometimes smaller curios can work better to keep a room open and airy. Kings Brand has this espresso curio cabinet at a great price with two sliding glass doors that slide into the unit.

This probably takes up the least amount of space for any curio and it’s one of the smaller units you’ll find with quality craftsmanship.

For something termed “espresso” it is surprisingly dark. I’d almost call it black considering the final color really seems darker than you’d expect. But if you’re going for a dark piece of furniture this baby can do the trick.

The glass doors are mostly made of wood so there isn’t much glass to the windows. This means you really can’t display much for viewing with this curio, and it almost works better as a bookshelf or smaller cabinet.

The shelves are made of the same type of wood as the frame so it’s an incredibly sturdy structure.

Plus since it’s so low(about 3ft tall) you can even use the top of the curio as a shelf.

It comes pre-built and you just need to assemble the doors + the adjustable shelves. But this can be done in maybe 30 minutes so it’s one of the simplest setups you’ll face.

If you’re in need of a lower shelf-style curio cabinet then you might find exactly what you need in this model.

Coaster Home Furnishings Tempered Glass

• Dimensions: 24″ W x 14.5″ D x 65″ H
• Weight: 110 lbs
• Shelves: 4
• Shelf Height: 12″
• Lighted: No

Earlier I covered the thinner version of Coaster’s tempered glass curio display. But this wider version works best for collectors or homeowners with plenty of space on the wall.

The strong tempered glass is used on all four sides and the shelves themselves. Unfortunately the shelves are not adjustable but you have a little over 1 foot of space inbetween each row.

One look at this glass and you’ll be amazed how clear it is. Not to mention the doors stay shut tight so there’s little-to-no buildup of dust or anything inside the case. Granted you should try to clean the curio at least once or twice a year, but it should never look too dirty.

Since this is made almost entirely of glass you are taking some risk with the shipping process. However Coast is a great company and you have a guarantee through them+Amazon if any pieces are delivered broken.

The box comes with everything you need and assembly does take a little while. But the glass is surprisingly firm and once you get it all setup it will be a heavy piece of furniture to move(but not too heavy).

If you want a clearly visible all-glass curio and you prefer the larger size then you simply won’t find a better unit than this. It will take some effort to assemble but once you get it setup you’ll be good to go.

Black Essex Corner Curio

• Dimensions: 21″ W x 15.5″ D x 70″ H
• Weight: 86 lbs
• Shelves: 6(4 adjustable)
• Shelf Height: 9″-13″
• Lighted: Yes

The dark black with light nickel-colored doorknobs looks pristine against the mirrored back of this dark black Essex curio.

At the very top it has a 25-watt F lightbulb with another E27 base bulb. It’s designed to be a corner unit but the back is somewhat flat which means you can fit consistent shelves of items in the case. You could prop this against a flat wall too but it’d look strange because it’s so thin.

The curio has 6 total shelves with 4 adjustable shelving units. You’ll also find two doors: one at the top and one at the bottom. The top section is much taller than the bottom so you can fit 2 adjustable shelves in the top with 1 in the bottom.

All side windows and the shelves are made of the same durable tempered glass so they feel very thick. You can probably support up to 20-30 lbs on any given shelf, maybe more but I wouldn’t push it too much further.

You can move the adjustable shelves within a difference of 2.5″ in either direction(up or down). Even spacing between the adjustable shelves leaves 11″ in height, but you can get between 9″ and 13″ if you’re okay with uneven spacing.

The stationary shelves have their own relative heights measuring about 9″ tall(top fixed) and about 10″ tall(bottom fixed).

The inside can get dusty over time which isn’t always the case with such cabinets. And since the wood is so dark you’ll need to make time to clean every so often.

If you don’t mind a little dusting then this corner piece really does look great, especially for smaller rooms without much space.

English Oak Pulaski Curio

• Dimensions: 25″ W x 11″ D x 70″ H
• Weight: 66 lbs
• Shelves: 6(4 adjustable)
• Shelf Height: 10″-12″
• Lighted: Yes

With such a lack of bright curio cabinets I’m thrilled with the English Oak Pulaski curio.

It measures just over 70″ tall which almost hits 6 feet. The light inside is bright and perfect for showcasing anything.

I’m really surprised by the quality of glass and the wood finish. This doesn’t feel like anything more than MDF but it does look fantastic. And being only 2 feet wide this is perfect for apartments, condos, or smaller living rooms where you don’t have as much wall space.

The mirrored back is beautiful and really shows each shelf in a positive light. You’ll be glad to know this feels like it’s built to keep weight heavier in the back to avoid tipping or leaning forward.

Both the top and bottom section have their own doors and they measure about the same height.

If you’re looking for a brighter wood to match your other furniture then don’t hesitate with this English Oak curio. It really is beautiful and with the adjustable shelves you can fit pretty much anything. Just make sure you have space somewhere near an outlet for the light.

Lynwood Corner Curio Cabinet

• Dimensions: 28″ W x 16″ D x 72″ H
• Weight: 95 lbs
• Shelves: 4
• Shelf Height: 12.5″
• Lighted: Yes

The first thing you’ll notice about this curio is the odd shape. The Lynwood Corner Curio designed by Howard Miller takes on a very deep angle against the wall. This keeps it tight in the corner for the most amount of space.

One nice feature about this cabinet is the adjustable height. Floor levelers are included for all 4 corners so if you’re placing this curio on carpet or uneven flooring you can still get it fully level.

Unfortunately the glass shelves are not adjustable because they have tight clip locks keeping them in place. This means you’ll never need to worry about shelves coming loose, but you’ll also need to work within the ~1 ft of space you get between shelves.

The light is bright enough to shine through all levels and it comes with a roller switch in the back to turn it on & off. It comes with a lengthy power cord so it should be able to reach the nearest outlet with ease.

One thing to note is the color does appear more reddish in person. The photo seems like a lighter brown hue and it still does look brown. But the final finish has an interesting mix of red into the color that brings it up to a lighter tone.

The fixed shelving may be a problem for some but a preference for others. Everything is locked into place and with the adjustable floor levelers this is one of the most secure corner curios you can get.

Medium Brown Casual Curio

• Dimensions: 27″ W x 14.5″ D x 75″ H
• Weight: 110 lbs
• Shelves: 5(4 adjustable)
• Shelf Height: 12″
• Lighted: Yes

Square, clean, modern, and perfect for almost any room in the house. This medium-brown casual curio by Coaster Home Furnishings feels like a true curio cabinet for the 21st century.

The back has a full mirror with an overhead light hanging above. The bulb is concealed behind a wood panel at the very top so it keeps that clean look from all angles. In the front you can slide the cabinet door open laterally to access all shelves at once.

Thankfully the door was also designed to blend in so this looks like one clean wooden box for displaying figurines, fine china, collectables, or anything else.

You’ll get 6 total shelves with 5 being adjustable. The bottom shelf is fixed to the very bottom of the cabinet, but if you place anything down there you’ll still get a good view of it.

By default all shelves have a 12 inch space between them. But since you can adjust the shelves you have plenty of leeway to increase space between some and decrease it between others.

Surprisingly the bottom floor pegs really feel secure and give some lift to the curio. It doesn’t sit flat on the floor which can make it feel a bit taller. You also have to arrange placement near an outlet so that the power cord can reach.

Overall this cabinet is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship and if you like the color then you’ll definitely like the design.

Clear White Curio

• Dimensions: 24″ W x 24″ D x 63.5″ H
• Weight: 31 lbs
• Shelves: 3
• Shelf Height: 15.5″
• Lighted: No

The hexagonal shape of this curio is truly unique and sure to grab attention from guests. Coaster’s Clear White Curio is certainly not the norm but it does look spectacular.

Every side uses the same tempered glass along with glass shelves for holding whatever items you have. The top & bottom are made of solid wood, likely MDF, and they’re finished with a brilliant white.

Because it’s a hexagon you’ll have angled sides all around the cabinet. But the very back is flat so you can position this flush against the wall. It’s also possible to get it wedged into a corner, although I can’t say if that would look good.

This is really a very basic unit. No lights, no mirror, and no adjustable shelving. Each shelf area circles the whole way around a center column which leaves a good amount of space.

Pegs at the very bottom keep this cabinet secure and stuck to the floor. It shouldn’t wobble or feel off-kilter no matter how it’s oriented. But the front panel does have a door with hinges so you’ll have easy access to all circular shelving units.

For a unique curio design with white & silver accents I definitely recommend this piece. Just remember it takes the shape of a hexagon with generic “cube” dimensions, so you’ll need an area of about 2ft x 2ft to fit this against the wall.

Best Hanging Wall Curio Cabinets

Taller floor curios can hold a lot more but they also usually cost more and definitely weigh more. Not everyone as the space for a larger curio so it can make sense to look into hanging curio cabinets too.

There are still plenty of options to pick from with varying styles, designs, and sizes. But let’s take a look at a few particular hanging curios that I think leave a lasting impression.

Design Toscano Amesbury Manor

• Dimensions: 17″ W x 6″ D x 22.5″ H
• Weight: 5 lbs
• Shelves: 3
• Shelf Height: 6.5″
• Lighted: No

The Amesbury Manor Wall Curio takes home decor and bumps it up a few levels. This rich wooden curio hangs at only 5 lbs which feels incredibly light. Even after adding your ornaments you’ll maybe hit 20-25 lbs.

It comes with a mirrored back and 3 shelves(2 glass and one at the bottom). None of the shelves are adjustable so they all average about 6.5 inches of space inbetween. While you can’t adjust the shelf placement you can choose to remove one and leave more room for taller items.

Two front doors open on hinges and grant access to the entire curio. It feels incredibly sturdy while hanging and shouldn’t be difficult to mount.

Plus the whole thing ships pre-assembled so all you need to do is install the shelves and attach the acorn-shaped finial at the very top.

The wood is simply stunning and it takes on a beautiful light shade of amber/maple in the right light. For the money this is one of the best hanging wall curios you’ll find that can match any room.

Rosedale Hardwood Wall Curio

• Dimensions: 15″ W x 5.5″ D x 22″ H
• Weight: 9 lbs
• Shelves: 2
• Shelf Height: 6″
• Lighted: No

Another choice from the folks at Design Toscano is this curved-edge Rosedale Hardwood Curio. The wood is finely crafted by hand with a flower-style ornament at the top.

It uses the same tempered wood as their prior model and it has a very similar shade of brown around the trim. This curio is noticeably small so it’s really not going to hold many items. It comes with 2 glass shelves and one bottom shelf.

You can remove one of the 2 glass shelves to make a little room at the top, but ultimately the interior space only measures a total of 18″ or so. With all 3 shelves you get about 6″ between them.

And for some reason this unit weighs more than Toscano’s other model. It certainly does have a lot more wood around the frame but it’s also just about the exact same size. If you’d prefer a lighter option then pass on this one.

But all things considered I’m pleased with this design, the curved glass, and the single front door(as opposed to double doors).

Just make sure to measure your figurines beforehand because the cabinet only has maybe a 5.5″ depth from front to back.

Butler Masterpiece Wall Curio

• Dimensions: 21″ W x 6″ D x 27.5″ H
• Weight: 20 lbs
• Shelves: 2
• Shelf Height: 7″
• Lighted: No

The curved glass style looks beautiful on a hanging curio and it looks even better on a high-end model. And the Butler Masterpiece wall curio is about as high-end as it gets in this area.

It comes with two adjustable rounded shelves and a large full-size back mirror. The curio frame is made of solid wood and a crisp veneer finish. The hardware uses antique brass for the hinges and the door handle.

Everything in the design feels very high end with attention to detail in the curved corners. Each piece of glass is fixed at a certain height without much wiggle room, although you can choose to leave out one shelf to add more space in the cabinet.

The worst thing here is the overall weight. Coming in around 20 lbs for a hanging curio seems a bit excessive, although it does measure over 2 feet high so it’s understandable.

If you’re okay with the size and if you like the curved edges then I say go for it! The glass shelves can be a pain to install but once you get them inside you’re good to go.

Howard Miller 685-100 Vancouver

• Dimensions: 20″ W x 8.2″ D x 33.5″ H
• Weight: 39 lbs
• Shelves: 4
• Shelf Height: 6″
• Lighted: No

The largest and most spacious hanging curio you’ll find is the Howard Miller 685-100 Vancouver. It does cost a pretty penny but the actual design is simply stunning.

It comes with 4 adjustable glass shelves and one shelf at the very bottom of the unit. With a total height of about 34″(almost 3 feet) it will take up a good amount of space on the wall. But if you have the room and have enough things to show off this will look amazing.

Each shelf has a default space of 6″ when resting evenly inside. But since you can adjust shelves or leave some out you’ll be able to increase height in some places & decrease it in other places. If you do keep all 5 shelves you’ll still only have about half a foot in each section for storage.

When adding this to your wall empty it’ll weigh about 40 lbs. But it comes with a weighted back and a “no tip base” to keep it secured even with ornaments or figures adding to the weight. Hooks in the back on either side keep this level no matter where it’s hung.

And you simply cannot find another wall curio at this level. It is by far the longest and most detailed wall curio offering adjustable shelves with a mirrored back. If you’d like this much space in a wall curio and if you’re able to eat the price then the Howard Miller Vancouver will prove to be a delightful room accent.

The Wrap Up

With so many great curios to pick from it can be daunting to even get started. But if you generally know the size you want(length/width/height) and the placement(corner, wall, or hanging) you’ll have an easier time pinning down the perfect model.

Out of all these options I have to say the Medium-Brown Casual Curio by Coaster Home Furnishings offers the best design, style, size, and price. It only comes in fairly darker shades of brown so it may not match with every home.

As a very close runner-up I’d recommend the lighter brown/tan colored Pulaski Curio which also fits flush against the wall and hits a similar price range.

Both are easily amazing options and I think they offer enough features to work well for everyone. But don’t sell yourself short! Consider all the options to see which curio(s) stand out the most. And whenever in doubt go with your gut instinct.