A display cabinet is a middle ground between open shelves and closed storage. It shows the pieces you love, hides the rest, and gives a plain living room wall a focal point. To get it right you need the right size, the right spot and a style that suits the room. Here are the measurements to check, eight placement ideas, and how to choose a style for your layout.
Size It to Your Living Room
Depth: 14–18 in is the sweet spot
Most living room display cabinets are 14–18 in deep. That's enough for books, vases and a row of collectibles without crowding the room. Anything over about 20 in feels heavy in a small living room. Slim options like the Relievo Arched Glass Cabinet are only 14.5 in deep.
Width by room size
- Small rooms: 24–36 in. A single tower such as the 31.5 in 2-Door Glass Display Cabinet with 3 Drawers.
- Medium rooms: 36–60 in, or two narrow towers on either side of something.
- Large rooms: 60–84 in or more, a matched pair, or a modular wall such as the 94.5 in Relievo Grand Arched Wall Unit.
Height tiers
Low cabinets (28–34 in) work under windows and TVs. Mid-height cabinets (48–60 in) suit spaces between windows. Tall towers (72–93 in) make the biggest statement. Tall cabinets are assembled lying down and tilted upright, so allow a few inches above them: a 92.5 in cabinet needs about 95 in of ceiling.
Measure the usable space, not just the outside
Check the interior shelf height against your tallest piece, plus the door opening and your delivery path (doorways, stair turns, elevators). Outside dimensions don't tell you what fits inside.
Clearance Rules
| Space | Leave at least |
|---|---|
| Main walkway in front of the cabinet | 30–36 in |
| In front of hinged glass doors | 18–24 in for the doors to swing |
| Between the cabinet top and art above | 6–10 in |
| Width beyond a TV it sits under | 6–12 in wider than the TV |
Before you buy, check that the doors will open fully without hitting the sofa arm or coffee table.
8 Living Room Placement Ideas
- Anchor a blank wall. A single tall glass cabinet gives an empty wall a purpose.
- Flank a fireplace or TV with a matched pair. Symmetry looks built-in. An all-in-one piece like our fireplace entertainment center with bookshelves does it in one unit.
- Use a low cabinet under the TV. A low glass cabinet such as the Storage Cabinet with Glass Doors and Metal Frame (31.2 in tall, 60 in wide) holds media and décor.
- Put it behind the sofa as a console with display space, when the sofa floats in the room.
- Fill an empty corner with a corner unit (about 16–24 in per side). Check that the doors can open.
- Use it as a buffet in an open living/dining room, which helps define the dining zone.
- Line a long wall with a low, wide cabinet you can see from the sofa.
- Turn a nook into a library with a modular set that fits wall to wall.
Avoid the wall opposite a bright window. Reflections on the glass can hide what's inside.
Which Style Fits Your Layout?
- Tall glass-front tower: the most display on the least floor space. Best for collections and small rooms.
- Low credenza-style cabinet: usually 60–72 in wide and 28–34 in tall. Best under TVs and art.
- Corner cabinet: uses dead space, but holds less.
- Wall-mounted cabinet: floats 12–18 in off the floor, which keeps small rooms open. It must be fixed into studs.
- Modular or built-in look: several matching units side by side. Our award-winning Luma and Archlight libraries are designed for this. See the modular storage wall guide.
Match the Cabinet to Your Decor
- Traditional: crown molding, framed glass doors and wood tones, such as the Grand Framed-Glass Library Cabinet.
- Modern: slim frames, handle-free fronts and integrated lighting, such as the Luma Modular Glass Display Cabinet Set.
- Transitional: arched silhouettes in white or cream.
- Industrial: black metal frames with fluted glass.
Trends right now include fluted glass, arched doors, warm oak and walnut, and black or brass hardware. Coordinate the cabinet with your TV stand rather than matching it exactly.
Living Rooms With Kids and Pets
Choose tempered glass, which breaks into small pebbles rather than sharp shards. Keep breakables on the upper shelves and use closed drawers or doors at the bottom. Always anchor tall cabinets to the wall. Rounded edges also help in busy family rooms; see why rounded furniture is popular.
What You Get at Each Budget
- Under $300: compact or low glass cabinets; look for tempered glass and anti-tip hardware.
- $300–$900: tall towers with lighting, drawers and sturdier shelves. Most of our single display cabinets are in this range.
- $900 and up: wide sets and modular walls that look built-in.
Compare lighted options in our LED display cabinet guide.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the door swing.
- Choosing too much depth for a small room.
- Filling every shelf (see how to style a display cabinet).
- Choosing a style that fights the rest of the room.
- Skipping the anti-tip kit.
FAQ
What's the best display cabinet for a small living room?
A tall, narrow tower (about 31.5 in wide and 15–17 in deep) with glass doors holds the most on the least floor space.
Can a display cabinet double as a bar cabinet?
Yes. Look for shelves with 12–14 in of clearance for bottles, plus a drawer or door below for bar tools.
Should the display cabinet match the TV stand?
It doesn't need to. Repeat one element, such as the wood tone, the hardware or the color, for a coordinated look.
Browse every option in our bookcases and display cabinets collection.