Glass Cabinet Styles

Curio Cabinets

• Curio glass cabinets are small or large. Some hang on the wall, and others sit on the floor. Some curio cabinets are even made to fit into the corner. Glass curio cabinets are versatile enough to display all types of collections. If you have a collection of figurines, paperweights, glassware or sea shells, a curio cabinet will show it off.

Shot Glass Cabinets

• Shot glass cabinets differ from curio glass cabinets in that they are designed specifically to display shot glass collections. Shot glass cabinets are available in smaller sizes for casual collectors, larger cabinets for more serious collectors and taller, thinner glass cabinets for commercial bars or taverns. Typically, shot glass cabinets are made to hang on the wall. Some have movable shelves so you have the option to display taller shooters or traditional shot glasses. You also have the option to choose a case with a mirrored back behind the shot glasses, which gives you a front and back view of your collection. Shot glass cabinets hold anywhere from 21 to 108 shot glasses.

Vitrine or China Cabinets

• The terms vitrine and china cabinet are often interchanged. A china cabinet is defined by Furniture Guide's website as "a cabinet which is used for the display and storage of fine china. It is often massive with front and side glass panels." A vitrine, although similar, is "a glass showcase or cabinet especially for displaying fine wares or specimens," according to Merriam-Webster Online. Therefore, a vitrine is designed to hold a broader range or type of items than a china cabinet.

Trophy Cases

• Trophy cases are glass cabinets that are designed to display larger items. Trophy cases have locking glass doors to help protect the contents. Small trophy cases can house either one trophy or larger cases, such as those you see in schools, can house multiple trophies in a variety of sizes. Trophy cases are built from wood aluminum or steel and often have sliding glass doors for easy accessibility.

Keepsake Display Cases

• Keepsake display cases are available to keep and show your archival-quality items. The keepsake display case is free standing and looks like a glass cubical on legs. You can see the displayed items from the top, and with some models, from all sides. Although they are more expensive than many other glass cabinets, keepsake display cases are securely built and are ideal for libraries and museums.

Merchandise or Retail Glass Cases

• If you are in business and want to display your valuable items for sale while maintaining security, a merchandiser or retail case will do the job. Merchandiser cases are upright, floor-standing glass display cases with locking doors. As an option, you can install fiber optic or other lighting.