The best display cabinets with drawers combine glazed shelving at eye level with at least one deep, smooth running drawer below, so you can show off what you love while hiding the things you need. Look for full extension or soft close runners, drawers at least 10cm deep inside, a stable base and glass that suits what you plan to display. A cabinet built this way does the work of two pieces of furniture, which is why it suits so many UK homes where space is limited.
Drawers are the detail that turns a display cabinet from a decorative piece into a hardworking one. Table linen, chargers, coasters, candles, remote controls and paperwork all need a home, and none of them look good behind glass. In our modern display cabinets UK sale range, many designs pair glass doors with drawers for exactly this reason. Below we explain what separates a good one from a disappointing one, and how to choose for your room.
Most people buy a display cabinet for the top half. They picture glassware, ceramics or a collection lit softly behind glass. What they discover after a few weeks is that everyday clutter gathers around the cabinet: on top of it, beside it, on the nearest side table. A drawer gives that clutter somewhere to go.
Drawers also change how the cabinet looks. A solid base grounds the piece visually, so a tall glazed cabinet feels more stable and substantial. In a room filled with other living room furniture UK pieces, that solid lower section can echo a TV unit or coffee table and help the room feel coordinated.
This is the most common layout. A glazed upper section with two to four shelves sits above one or two wide drawers. It suits living rooms and dining rooms equally well, and the drawers usually sit at a comfortable height for everyday use.
Some designs place a drawer at waist height, with glass doors above and solid cupboard doors below. The drawer becomes the natural place for cutlery or small items, while the lower cupboard handles bulkier things like serving platters.
Wider and lower, these behave more like a sideboard with a glazed section. They work beneath a window or a large piece of art. If you lean towards this style, it is worth comparing with our modern sideboards UK sale, as some sideboards include glass doors and may suit your wall better.
For alcoves and tight corners, a slim cabinet with one drawer at the base keeps the footprint small while still offering hidden storage. It is a sensible choice for flats, hallways and smaller dining areas.
Drawers are where build quality shows. A cabinet can look striking in a photograph and still have drawers that stick, sag or rattle. Here is what to check.
Metal runners are more durable than wooden or plastic slides. Ball bearing runners glide smoothly and cope well with weight. Soft close runners stop the drawer quietly, which matters if the cabinet holds glassware that could rattle. Full extension runners let you reach the back of the drawer, which is useful for deeper designs.
A drawer that looks generous from the front can be shallow inside. Check the internal height. Around 10cm and above will take folded napkins, place mats and candles. Shallower drawers are fine for cutlery or remote controls.
Look at how the drawer box is made. A solid base that sits in a groove is sturdier than a thin panel stapled underneath. Drawer fronts should sit evenly with consistent gaps either side.
Handles affect both looks and use. Push to open mechanisms keep a clean front but can be triggered accidentally. Recessed grips are discreet. Metal bar handles are easy to use and add a decorative line. Choose what suits how often you will open the drawer.
In a living room, drawers tend to fill with remote controls, chargers, games and paperwork. Choose a cabinet with at least one wide drawer and consider a lit upper section for evening ambience. If the cabinet sits near your seating, a drawer at a comfortable height saves bending.
In a dining room, the drawer is most useful for cutlery, napkins, coasters and candles. Pair it with glass shelves above for wine glasses and good china. Make sure the drawer can open fully when chairs are pushed in at the table.
A slim cabinet with a single drawer near the front door makes a tidy spot for keys, post and sunglasses, with a few decorative pieces above. Keep depth shallow so it does not narrow the walkway.
A display cabinet with drawers in a bedroom can hold jewellery, scarves or folded knitwear below, with books or keepsakes displayed above. It can work as an alternative to a chest of drawers if you want something more decorative.
The material you choose affects how the drawers feel as much as how the cabinet looks.
Consider the glass too. Toughened safety glass is the sensible choice for doors and shelves, especially in family homes. If you plan to place heavier items on glass shelves, our guide to glass shelf load limits for UK display cabinets explains how thickness and span affect what a shelf can safely hold.
Drawers add height and bulk to the base of a cabinet. In a room with standard ceilings, a total height of 160 to 190cm is usually comfortable. Depth of around 35 to 45cm gives drawers enough room to be useful without the cabinet projecting too far into the room. Our guide to UK display cabinet heights, depths and shelf spacing goes into more detail if you are planning around a specific wall.
Remember clearance. A drawer needs space in front to open fully, typically at least the depth of the drawer plus room for you to stand. Avoid placing a cabinet with drawers directly opposite a sofa or table that sits close by.
A drawer only stays useful if it stays organised. A few simple habits help.
With everyday items hidden below, the glazed section can be calmer and more deliberate. Group objects by material, keep some space on each shelf and place taller items to the back. If the cabinet has lighting, glass and crystal will glow nicely, while ceramics and books benefit from a warmer light. The contrast between a solid drawer base and an airy glass top is part of the appeal, so resist filling every shelf.
Even well made drawers benefit from a little attention. Avoid overloading them, since constant strain on runners shortens their life. If a drawer begins to stick, empty it and check whether something has slipped behind it before forcing it. Wipe runners occasionally to clear dust, and tighten handle screws if they work loose. On wooden fronts, a soft dry cloth is usually all that is needed, while gloss fronts respond best to a slightly damp microfibre cloth dried straight away.
A display cabinet with drawers is one of the most practical pieces you can add to a living or dining room. Focus on drawer quality, sensible proportions and a finish that sits well with your existing furniture. Get those right and the cabinet will earn its space for years.
If you need extra hidden storage elsewhere in the room, our wider storage furniture collection includes cabinets and units in matching finishes. You can browse every room and range at Furniture in Fashion.
For most homes, yes. They give you display space and hidden storage in one footprint, which keeps the room tidier and reduces the need for an extra piece of furniture.
Metal runners, ideally soft close or full extension, a solid drawer base and an internal depth that suits what you plan to store.
Yes. It works well for jewellery, accessories and folded clothes below, with books or keepsakes displayed above.
Allow enough room for the drawer to open fully and for you to stand comfortably in front of it. Avoid placing furniture so close that the drawer catches on it.
Glass shelves change the way a display cabinet looks and works. They let light travel…
Open plan rooms can be deceptive. The overall floor area is large, so it is…
Soft close doors used to belong mainly in kitchens, but they are now a familiar…
Should you choose a display cabinet with integrated LED lighting or a tall cabinet with…
Choose a tall display cabinet if your priority is showing a collection in a small…
A mirrored display cabinet uses reflective glass, either on the back panel, the frame or…
This website uses cookies.