Cabinets

How to choose an accent cabinet

Start with what you need to store and where the cabinet will stand, then narrow by style.

• Measure the space and the door swing. Leave enough room in front for doors and drawers to open fully.
• Choose doors or open shelves. Closed doors hide clutter in a living room; glass doors or open shelves suit display pieces and dishes.
• Use height wisely. Tall, slim cabinets fit narrow walls and hallways; low, wide cabinets can double as a console or TV base.
• Corners and walls. Corner cabinets use space that often goes empty, and wall mounted cabinets free up floor space in bathrooms and laundry rooms.
• Anchor tall pieces to the wall, especially in homes with children.

Style the top like a console: a lamp, a stack of books and one sculptural object. Bar cabinets with wine storage work in dining rooms; keep bottles out of direct sun. Wipe wood finishes with a soft, dry cloth and use coasters to prevent rings. Our console table styling formula works well on cabinet tops, and wall mounted shelves add more storage.