Display Cabinets May Be Coming Back In Style. Here's The Best Way To Style One

Maximalism is having a major moment, and since we need somewhere to store all that stuff, it only makes sense that display cabinets are having a comeback to match. According to Cristiana Crin, Director of Design and Founder of Perpetuum Designs, the trend feels personal. "They remind me of my grandmother's guest house, where all the beautiful and unique porcelains were displayed," she told House Digest during an exclusive interview. Like many of the emerging grandmillenial home design trends, the key is to keep the look fun instead of fussy. From entertainment centers to arched dressers, glass cabinets to adapted bookcases, Crin said the display case trend will be in style for years to come because they are highly adaptable, bringing joy and utility to any space.

Finding and placing the perfect display cabinet in your home can be challenging, but styling it can be even harder. "As a general rule in decor, objects will look more interesting when arranged asymmetrical and in groups of odd numbers," Crin explained. She recommends avoiding pairing items of the same color or texture, cautioning that this approach can quickly make your display case look cluttered. According to the design expert, "the most impactful characteristic will be the contrast of shades and textures." She also suggests combining natural wood cabinets in oak hues with dark blues and greens, while black cabinets pair well with lighter-toned items and organic textures.

"A display cabinet should not be only for holding decor items," Cristiana Crin said during her exclusive interview with House Digest. Instead, she explained, homeowners should think of their cabinets like they would a perfectly executed gallery wall. It takes time and patience to collect and curate a thoughtful assortment of items worthy of displaying in your home. Each item placed inside a display cabinet should earn its spot, through either beauty or sentiment. Rather than rushing the process by purchasing trendy items that feel impersonal, Crin recommends spending some time selecting important pieces that tell a personal story. The goal is to create something layered and meaningful. Don't be afraid to add items that are quirky, unusual, or downright curious. Stylish display cabinets should be designed to spark conversations about the places you've been and the things you love.

Along with steering clear of mass-produced merchandise, Crin pointed out another frequent display case mistake that's all too common. Choosing the wrong size, style, or color for your cabinet can make it feel mismatched and out of place within the overall space. You should also stay open to changing the items in your display cabinet as your tastes evolve. "Trends will shift," she explained, before emphasizing that even minor design updates to a room like repainting, changing window treatments, or hanging wallpaper can quickly "require rethinking the current style of an existing display cabinet."

Whether you opt for a sleek glass display cabinet or you luck out by finding a perfectly distressed oak option at your local thrift store or antiques market, the items you arrange inside are what really make it come alive. Each object should add a layer of personality and meaning, turning the cabinet into more than just another storage solution. Stylish display cabinets are strong focal points that tell a story, allowing you to display your favorite trinkets without the clutter.

According to Cristiana Crin, there's one crucially important thing to remember as you choose and style your display cabinet. "Have fun with it!" During her exclusive interview with House Digest, she explained that the end result should spark happiness and joy. "Every personal space will be different and a home should always speak about the people that live there," Crin added. The expert emphasized that decor should truly reflect you. "This is important because deciding what is pleasing for one person might be completely an opposite feeling for another person." Practically speaking, that means you'll need to slow down, experiment, and let your cabinet evolve over time. "Try bold things and see how that feels for you," Crin suggested. While symmetry and balance are important to keep in mind, it's finding a perfect mix of old and new, sentimental and decorative, or loud and understated that keep display cabinets dynamic.