Storage Cabinets Buying Guide: What to Look for Before You Order

Before you order a storage cabinet, check five things: the dimensions of the space and the route into the room, the internal layout and shelf depth, the material and finish, the quality of doors, hinges and drawers, and how the cabinet will be secured and levelled. Getting these right matters more than any style detail, because a cabinet that does not fit what you own, or will not fit through your door, is a frustration however good it looks.

Our range of modern storage furniture UK covers tall cabinets, low units, sideboards and display pieces in a variety of finishes. This buying guide walks through each decision in turn so you can order with confidence.

Start With What You Need to Store

It sounds obvious, but many people choose a cabinet based on looks and only later discover it does not suit their belongings. Before browsing, make a list of what will go inside. Board games, files, table linen, glassware, toys, shoes and cleaning products all have very different requirements.

Measure the largest items. A lever arch file, a dinner plate, a stack of folded towels or a games console each needs a minimum shelf depth and height. Write these measurements down and compare them with the internal dimensions of any cabinet you are considering, not just the external size.

It also helps to think about the room as a whole. A cabinet in a living room shares space with seating, tables and a TV unit, so browsing our wider living room furniture UK sale collection can help you picture sizes and finishes together before you commit.

Measure the Space Properly

Good measuring prevents most buying mistakes. Here is what to check.

• Width. Measure the wall or alcove at the top, middle and bottom. Older walls are rarely completely straight.
• Height. Check the ceiling height and note any obstacles such as sloping ceilings, beams, window sills or light switches.
• Depth. Consider how far the cabinet will project into the room and whether it will block a walkway or door.
• Door swing. Hinged doors need clearance in front. In tight spaces, sliding doors or drawers may be more practical.
• Skirting boards and radiators. Skirting can push a cabinet forward from the wall. Radiators and pipes can limit where it can stand.

Mark the footprint on the floor with masking tape and live with it for a day or two. It is the simplest way to understand how a cabinet will affect the room.

Check the Route In

Large cabinets need to reach the room. Measure every doorway, hallway, staircase and landing on the route, including the height and width of any turns. Flats and older terraced houses often have narrow staircases that make tall, fully assembled units difficult to manoeuvre. Flat packed or modular cabinets can be easier to bring in and assemble in place.

Choose the Right Type of Cabinet

Storage cabinets come in several formats. Each suits different rooms and needs.

Tall cabinets

Tall units make the most of vertical space and suit rooms with limited floor area. They are useful in living rooms, home offices, bedrooms and utility areas.

Low cabinets and sideboards

Low cabinets provide a surface for lamps, photographs and decorative pieces as well as storage. They suit living and dining rooms and can sit beneath a window or television. Our modern sideboards UK sale are a good place to start if you want storage with a display surface on top.

Display cabinets

Glass fronted cabinets protect glassware, china and collections while keeping them visible.

Office cabinets

Filing and office storage cabinets are designed for paperwork and equipment, often with lockable doors or drawers. Our home and office cabinets UK are worth considering if your cabinet will sit in a study or work area.

Look Closely at the Internal Layout

The inside of a cabinet matters as much as the outside. Look for the following.

• Adjustable shelves let you change the spacing as your needs change.
• Shelf depth should suit your largest items, with a little extra room for air and access.
• Drawers are useful for small items that would get lost on shelves. Check whether they run on metal runners and whether they have soft close mechanisms.
• Cable access is important if the cabinet will hold a router, printer or media equipment.
• Internal lighting can be a welcome detail in display cabinets.

Understand Materials and Finishes

Cabinets are made from a range of materials, each with its own strengths.

Solid wood is strong and long lasting and can be refinished. It may move slightly with changes in humidity.

Engineered board with veneer uses a stable core with a real wood surface. It offers the look of timber with good stability.

Engineered board with a laminate, foil or lacquer finish is practical, consistent and easy to clean. High gloss lacquer reflects light and suits modern rooms.

Metal cabinets are durable and suit industrial and office settings.

Glass doors and shelves keep a cabinet visually light.

Consider the room. Kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms need finishes that cope with moisture. Busy family rooms benefit from wipeable surfaces. Living rooms give more freedom for delicate finishes.

Doors, Hinges and Handles

Doors and hardware are used every day, so quality here makes a real difference.

Open and close the doors if you can, or read the product description carefully. Look for hinges that are adjustable, so doors can be realigned if they drop slightly over time. Soft close hinges reduce noise and wear. Check that doors sit flush and that gaps are even.

Handles affect both look and practicality. Handleless designs with push to open mechanisms give a sleek finish but can show fingerprints. Recessed pulls are neat and easy to clean. Bar or knob handles are easier to grip, which matters for older family members and children.

Sliding doors save space in front of the cabinet but only allow access to half the interior at a time. Hinged doors give full access but need clearance.

Safety and Stability

Tall cabinets should always be secured to the wall to prevent tipping. This is particularly important in homes with children, who may climb or pull on doors and drawers. Most cabinets come with anti tip fixings. Use fixings suited to your wall type, whether brick, plasterboard or stud.

Check that the cabinet has adjustable feet or levellers. Uneven floors are common in UK homes, and a cabinet that is not level will have doors that swing open or fail to close properly.

Load the heaviest items on the lowest shelves to keep the centre of gravity low.

Style and Coordination

Once the practical points are settled, think about how the cabinet will look in the room.

Match or complement existing furniture. A cabinet in the same finish as a coffee table or TV unit gives a room cohesion. A contrasting finish can work too, but limit the room to two main finishes plus one metal accent to avoid a busy look.

Consider scale. A very large cabinet in a small room will dominate. A small cabinet on a large wall may look lost. Aim for a piece that takes up roughly two thirds of the wall width if it is the main item on that wall.

If your cabinet is primarily for display, our guide to UK display cabinet dimensions and shelf spacing covers heights, depths and spacing that are useful for planning storage cabinets too.

Assembly and Delivery

Check whether the cabinet arrives assembled or flat packed, and how many people it will take to move. Read the assembly instructions in advance if they are available, and allow plenty of time. Keep fixings and spare parts together in a labelled bag in case you need to adjust or move the cabinet later.

When you order from us, we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes. Returns are available up to 30 days.

A Quick Checklist Before You Order

• List what you will store and measure the largest items.
• Measure the space, including height, depth and door clearance.
• Measure the route into the room.
• Choose a type and layout that suits your belongings.
• Check materials and finishes are suitable for the room.
• Look at the quality of hinges, drawers and handles.
• Plan for wall fixing and levelling.
• Consider how it will coordinate with other furniture.

You can browse storage cabinets, sideboards and display units across our full collection at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep should a storage cabinet be?

It depends on what you are storing. Shallow cabinets suit books and small items, while deeper cabinets are needed for files, plates or folded linen. Measure your largest items and choose a depth with a little room to spare.

Do I need to fix a storage cabinet to the wall?

Tall cabinets should always be fixed to the wall to prevent tipping. This is especially important in homes with young children or pets.

Are sliding or hinged doors better?

Sliding doors save space in front of the cabinet but give access to only part of the interior at once. Hinged doors give full access but need clearance to open.

What finish is easiest to keep clean?

Laminate, lacquer and high gloss finishes are easy to wipe down. Matt finishes hide fingerprints better, and real wood benefits from occasional care with a suitable product.