Related Sponsors

Purchasing tips for china cabinets

Home » Dining Rooms » China Cabinets » Purchasing tips for china cabinets

Décor: The first most important factor to consider when purchasing a china cabinet is what existing dining room furniture you have in the room. If you already have a dining room table and chairs, your china cabinet does not have to match exactly, but it should blend in décor style. For instance, if your table is formal, you will want an elegant china cabinet. If you are starting from scratch with your dining room furniture, you might want to consider purchasing a dining set that includes the dining room table, chairs and china cabinet, although this is certainly not necessary. Decorating styles today allow for, and even encourage, mixing and matching pieces.
Budget: China cabinets can cost thousands of dollars, so consider your budget when making choices. If you would like to invest in a family heirloom that will be passed down from generation to generation, then you might want to invest in a expensive and high quality piece. However, if your goal is simply storage, then less expensive options might meet your needs. If you have time to invest, china cabinets are offered as unfinished furniture, which you then stain or paint to your liking.
Size: China cabinets are large pieces of furniture, and they likely will look even larger in your home than they do in the furniture showroom. Measure, measure, and measure again. Also remember to measure your ceiling height, as china cabinets can be quite tall. Allow for a minimum of 18 inches for the traffic lane around the table when people are seated. It is also a good idea to measure any doorways that the china cabinet will need to be transported through. Some cabinets come in two pieces, but others are one large piece.
Purpose: Consider what you will be using the china cabinet for and purchase accordingly. If you have many pieces of beautiful china that you want to all be displayed, then consider a cabinet with a lot of glass exposure. If, however, you would like some storage space that people cannot see, look for a cabinet with a combination of glass doors and enclosed spaces. If you would like to store flatware, you might prefer a cabinet with drawers.
Special features: Some china cabinets come with special features such as under-cabinet lighting to more prominently display your items. Others have sliding doors, adjustable shelves, glass shelves, mirrored backs, ornate carvings, and hand painting. Others have built-in storage compartments for plates, stemware or flatware.
Source: You can purchase china cabinets in any furniture store, but be creative by looking in others sources and you might be surprised what you find. Antique stores typically have a nice selection of china cabinets which offer character and superb craftsmanship. You might also have luck with estate sales, where families can be selling valuable pieces after the death of a family member. (You might also want to put a bug in the ear of your own family members if they have a china cabinet that would be meaningful to you someday.) Finally, if you are considering purchasing a china cabinet from the Internet, carefully consider the shipping costs. These are large and bulky items which can easily be damaged during shipping, and could be costly to ship. When purchasing from a store, inquire about delivery price.

Next Page: Arranging your china cabinet

Related China Cabinets Articles