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Cabinets Galore: Identifying the Different Types of Cabinets

Types of Cabinets

There are basically three types of modern cabinets: the large scale, Built-In Cabinets that most are familiar with in kitchens, fasten to the floor, walls and/or ceiling, with multiple lower and over head doors and shelves, providing lots of storage space. Then there are the Wall Cabinets, fasten to a wall at eye level to the average adult, usually rectangular in shape, an average of 1.5 feet wide and 2 feet high, approximately 5 to 8 inches deep inside, Finally there are the Stand-Alone Cabinets (Free-Standing), usually box-shaped, with or without legs, and able to be moved around by one or two (sometimes three or more for the larger ones) persons to any room and against any wall a homemaker desirer. Growing in popularity in the stand-alone category is the corner cabinet which is triangular shaped in the back. In this article I will discuss the latter type, the stand alone cabinets, and the various styles they are made in.

Box-Shaped Wood Cabinets

These are probably the most common and popular type of stand-alone cabinets that have been in use for centuries and in many parts of the world. Storage cabinets that resemble what we are familiar with today can be traced back to the ancient and medieval storage cabinetry and chests from China, India, and Europe. Popular styles of the box-shaped cabinets are the Bathroom Cabinets, Hope chest, Curios, Wall Cabinets and Wardrobes, Colonial American, European and Oriental. Even within these mentioned styles, which are by no means a complete list, there are various designs, materials, sizes and shapes to choose from.

Corner Cabinets

The best thing about corner cabinets is that not only are they effective space-savers but because they are designed to fit snugly into a corner of your room it gives easy access to the front doors of your cabinet without getting in the way of main pathways. Compared to its traditional box-shaped counter part the corner cabinet is shaped like a triangle at the top and bottom base, but at the front is a four sided rectangle or square. Some are built with a lot of storage space inside to stack plates, bowls and other cookware, while others may be quite small to put away your tea cups, small tools or bathroom products. They are growing in popularity and come in many different styles and designs to suit your taste.

Wall Cabinets

Wall Cabinets are usually built into a bathroom wall above the sink, but they can also be mounted in a kitchen, bedroom, or a storage room. Usually when someone says wall cabinet, we automatically think of the bathroom though, fitted with a mirror in front, with one, two or multiple doors that remain closed with a traditional or magnetic latch. A bathroom wall cabinet can also double as a medical cabinet, although specific “Medicine Cabinets” can be sought after and bought and mounted in the appropriate wall space.

Hope Chest

The Hope Chest is a box or rectangle shape storage furniture that opens up at the top like a lid rather than on the side like most traditional cabinets. The top is usually locked with a latch and the outside painted with beautifully detailed designs and side handles for easy and safe transportation. The inside is a felt-lined compartment, traditionally used by unmarried women for storing clothes, household linen, dishware and other precious treasures in anticipation of getting married someday. This tradition of the dowry in the hope chest stems back to around Renaissance Europe and brought to America around the 1600s, particularly by Scandinavian and German Immigrants. The term “hope chest” or “cedar chest” may be used mainly by women in Midwestern and Southern states of the USA but in England and Australia it is called a “Glory Box”.

Wardrobes

The wardrobe, cupboard or closet is a cabinet used for storing clothes either on hangers or neatly folded. Wardrobes are usually built quite tall and larger than the other cabinet types. These are not moved around much and are meant to be in the bedroom. In the nineteenth century the wardrobe began to develop into its modern form, with a hanging cupboard at each side, a shelf in the upper part of the central portion and drawers below.

Those are the main types of cabinets that can be found in the neighborhood brick and mortar stores and in online stores. We may take the types and styles for granted, and most importantly the history and tradition behind certain types of cabinetry. Also, one must consider the material used in modern and old-time cabinets. Traditionally cabinets and shelves were made out of cedar, oak and mahogany, either left bare or painted and decorated. Today the same solid wood material is used but also engineered wood like MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard), plywood and chipboard and then covered in timber veneer or plastic laminate. I hope this article will help you appreciate the work put into cabinet making and to choose the right storage furniture for yours and your family’s needs.

Look out for more informative articles about storage cabinetry and other home improvement tips.

About the Author

Jerome Griffith is a professional graphic designer and artist and was the owner and manager of the CabinetGalleryStore.com (currently closed). You can find a variety of storage furniture and selves including corner cabinets, stand-alone wood cabinets, bathroom cabinets and shelves, media cabinets, decorative shelves and home décor items.

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