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What are the Different Types of Storage Cabinets?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Storage cabinets come in a variety of designs and configurations depending on their intended use. In addition to modular storage cabinets, you can also purchase or create custom cabinets to meet your precise needs and the dimensions of the space. In general, storage cabinets are designed to efficiently and safely store materials ranging from kitchen knives to files, and when possible you should seek out a storage cabinet designed specifically for the purpose you intend to use it for.

Storage cabinets for the bathroom are usually made from durable, water resistant materials which are often painted or varnished. Bathroom cabinets for the wall tend to be shallow, so that people can easily access things stored inside, and the door may be covered in a mirror. Cabinets designed for larger bathroom supplies like towels, hair care tools, toilet paper, and other bathroom products are much larger, and often come with shelves on the bottom and drawers on the top. Drawers in a storage cabinet keep small items consolidated and reduce the risk of loss, while shelves can be used for bulky items.

Kitchen storage cabinets are useful for holding silverware and small kitchen supplies.
Kitchen storage cabinets are useful for holding silverware and small kitchen supplies.

In the kitchen, storage cabinets come with a mixture of shelves and drawers. Drawers are useful for kitchen implements, silverware, kitchen linens, knife racks, and other small kitchen supplies. Shelves allow cooks to store pots and pans, plates, baking ware, storage containers, appliances such as blenders, and other bulky items. Because a kitchen often contains a plethora of supplies, ample kitchen storage cabinets are always advised. If you have an opportunity to remodel or build a kitchen from scratch, always put in more storage cabinets than you think you will need.

Bathroom storage cabinets should have space to store extra toilet paper.
Bathroom storage cabinets should have space to store extra toilet paper.

Offices also benefit from storage cabinets. Files can be stored in lateral or hanging cabinets, depending on which design is best suited, and other office supplies can be kept in drawers or on shelves as well. In a well-organized office, it is easy and intuitive to find things in storage cabinets, which are often built somewhat shallowly so that things will not be pushed to the back and lost. Many office storage cabinets come with locks which secure confidential or sensitive material.

Bathroom storage has to have enough storage for extra towels.
Bathroom storage has to have enough storage for extra towels.

Other storage cabinets are designed for use in the bedroom, living room, laundry room, and workshop. Depending on what is being stored and how accessible you need it to be, you can select the best storage cabinet for your needs. Ideally, a storage cabinet will be deep enough to store the largest items, but not so large that things will be mislaid. Labeling storage cabinets can also help keep track of items stored in them, ensuring that everything needed will be ready to hand. Cabinets can come with drawers, bins, or shelves, and can be designed to roll, stack, or rotate, meaning that the perfect cabinet can be found for every situation.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

mobilian33

I found an old wood storage cabinet in my parents' old storage building. The cabinet was stored in the building for a long time, so it needed some cleaning and TLC. I cleaned it up and realized it was the perfect size to use for a bathroom vanity.

Other than cutting a hole for the sink to fit in, I didn't have to make any changes to the cabinet, and now it looks like it was made to be a vanity.

Feryll

@Animandel - You don't have to pay a fortune for old furniture. My girlfriend likes to go to stores that sale used furniture, and she also goes to flee markets to find old furniture that she can repair and restore. She gets really good prices at the flee markets and the stuff looks very good once she gets it all finished and ready to go in the house.

This is a good way to save money, and like I said she loves the work. I'm planning to buy some type of old wood storage cabinet as a gift for her, so she can restore it and put it in the house. Since we have an old house, the vintage and antique furniture looks right at home, and we're paying much less than we would for new furniture.

Animandel

I like the old antique storage cabinets I see at pre-owned furniture stores. Unfortunately, I don't care for the high prices. I would love to have a few of the old wooden cabinets so I could use them for storage in the bedroom. You can put your clothes in them and they are very nice pieces of furniture.

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    • Kitchen storage cabinets are useful for holding silverware and small kitchen supplies.
      By: Wollwerth Imagery
      Kitchen storage cabinets are useful for holding silverware and small kitchen supplies.
    • Bathroom storage cabinets should have space to store extra toilet paper.
      By: Ruggiero Scardigno
      Bathroom storage cabinets should have space to store extra toilet paper.
    • Bathroom storage has to have enough storage for extra towels.
      By: chonlawit
      Bathroom storage has to have enough storage for extra towels.
    • Customs cabinets can be made to meet a homeowner's needs with regards to space and style.
      By: Matthias Buehner
      Customs cabinets can be made to meet a homeowner's needs with regards to space and style.
    • Storage cabinets may be used to store hazardous cleaning chemicals.
      By: Sebastian Duda
      Storage cabinets may be used to store hazardous cleaning chemicals.