Choosing the Right Storage Cabinet Material For Your Needs: Pros, Cons and Uses
Storage cabinets can make your life easy, organized and clutter-free. Whether you are a student, bachelor or family person, this handy furniture makes additional room, adds value to your home or office, and solves many storage problems. However, choosing the wrong type of material is a waste of money and taking care of it becomes an additional chore without serving much purpose.
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The basic functions of most storage furniture, regardless of the space, remain the same- declutter and organise. But the array of options available today makes shopping for them interesting as well as consuming. From design to material, there is no dearth of choices, so long as one is aware of their needs and specifications.
Our comprehensive guide to storage cabinet materials is specifically created for new homeowners and even professionals looking to explore different types of storage solutions for their respective spaces.
Table of contents
- Modern storage cabinets for every space
- Different types of storage cabinets by material
- Which material suits your needs best?
- The disadvantages of incorrect storage cabinets
Modern storage cabinets for every space
Nearly every room in the house or office needs decluttering now and then, or you’ll find yourself surrounded by things unnecessarily occupying your space.
This problem is most prevalent in houses with children, pets or one too many family members living in the shared space. However, investing in the right furniture will naturally fix most of the problems.
Among modern storage cabinets are the ones made for the kitchen, bathroom, living room, entryway and more. Each structure is specifically designed keeping in mind the design of the respective room, so it can be easily accommodated. Here are some of the most popular options.
Living room cabinets
The living room typically accommodates a lot of things. Books to the extra pair of sofa covers, we tend to store everything in the living area and hope to find them in time when needed.
Floating wall cabinets are highly recommended for modern homes or apartment flats with limited space. Their sleek, minimalist structure ensures the floor is clean and has enough room for ventilation.
Whereas, modular cube units are ideal for storing books, plants and other accessories. They come in various colors, thus perfectly blending with your home interior.
Kitchen cabinets
Do you know what is trickier than whipping up a new recipe? Finding all the ingredients within your kitchen. Without proper storage, most items in the kitchen can easily go missing. However, the right kitchen furniture can fix this problem for you.
The tall pantry storage cabinets are specifically made to accommodate larger dishes, cutlery in large numbers and other boxes holding all the cooking necessities. They come with pull-out drawers and adjustable shelves.
There are cabinets specifically designed for coffee and tea enthusiasts, which holds all the essentials for your favorite beverage. If you’re looking to buy one, Garvee has a modern coffee cabinet made of wood, with two doors and adjustable shelf. Not just in kitchen, but the stylish furniture can be used to decorate your living room and home office too.
You can also go for sideboards with transparent sliding doors, for better access to your favorite spices and midnight snacks. These are ideal for storing small dishes and appliances.
Bedroom storage cabinets
If there’s one place where you can’t have enough storage furniture, it’s your bedroom. For most, their bedroom is a haven for relaxation, and piles of clothes or unattended toys of children are the last thing they want to step on.
That’s where built-in wardrobe cabinets or under-bed storage drawers come in use. While the former enhances the look of your bedroom with integrated lighting from ceiling to floor, the clean panelling effortlessly blends into the wall. You can use the in-built cabinet to store clothes, shoes or accessories.
The under-bed storage, on the other hand, is useful to declutter instantly or store your seasonal clothing or bedding.
Bathroom storage cabinets
From storing medicines to toiletries, storage cabinets in bathrooms are an absolute necessity. Numerous bathroom furniture items are readily available in the market.
A laundry storage cabinet helps keep your bathroom tidy and spacious if you don’t have time to do laundry often. A storage cabinet in your toilet is ideal to store towels, toiletries and cleaning supplies, which can be a health hazard in a house with children and pets if left to lie around without a proper place to store.
Bathroom cabinets with integrated sinks and drawer organizers not only make more room, but also add a great appeal to your personal space.
Wine storage cabinets
Wine enthusiasts treat their collection like a prized possession. Wine storage cabinets not only protect the bottles from breaking and other elements like temperature and humidity, but they also beautifully complement the aesthetics of your living room or kitchen.
This stylish furniture on display is entertaining to occasional guests. Meanwhile, for the homeowners, it’s the perfect inventory, helping them keep track of the wine collection by type, age, region and more.
Food storage cabinets work similarly, by protecting canned spices, snacks or other baking ingredients. It’s mostly used for space optimization and efficient meal planning in the kitchen with easy access to ingredients.
Aside from the types of storage cabinets we discussed here, there are numerous other designs, specifically created for different needs. There are record storage cabinets to protect and preserve some of your favourite music and artists.
Pet parents are increasingly investing in dog food storage cabinets, which are a must in a house with furry pals that love to dig into their food at any given chance.
Meanwhile, DIY enthusiasts prefer creating their own storage cabinets to accommodate
their craft needs. Therefore, to invest in the right type of storage, you must first understand its purpose and how it can add value to your space. So, here we have explained various types of materials used to make cabinets, explaining in detail the pros and cons associated with each of them.
Different types of storage cabinets by material
Storage cabinets come in various materials. Each of them meets specific needs and is carefully created to last long in different environments. We have laid out some of the most popular options.
Wooden storage cabinets
Wooden storage cabinets are known for their timeless elegance, durability and aesthetics. Furniture enthusiasts specifically look for craftsmanship, which is synonymous with wooden cabinets.
They are known for their unique grain, knots and textures. Storage cabinets made of specific woods such as oaks, walnut and cherry offer distinct and beautiful patterns. Wood is also easier to carve, mould and join, which leads to interesting designs unlike other materials.
In comparison to solid wood, cabinets made of plywood are stronger and more stable. They are cost-effective and easier to move around, despite supporting heavy loads.
A more budget-friendly option for an upscale appearance would be storage cabinets made from engineered wood - plywood or MDF covered with a thin layer of real wood veneer.
While their special features are admirable, wooden storage cabinets are typically costly and difficult to move around. On average, each wooden storage furniture costs anywhere between $300 to $2000, the price going up with intricate designs and quality of the material.
Metal storage cabinets
Do you have young children or pets at home? Are you worried they can damage your expensive cabinets? Metal storage cabinets are made for such households.
Available in steel, wrought iron and aluminium, heavy-duty metal furniture is durable and less susceptible to damage. They are easier to maintain than wooden cabinets, can be found in sleek and minimalist designs and are great value for money.
Although they require little maintenance, exposure to elements like water or moisture leads to rusting. It is also common for people to accidentally stub their toes against the hard surface of a metal cabinet, which can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. No matter how stylish the furniture is, it doesn’t compliment a warm or cosy home.
A small and functional metal cabinet can cost a couple of hundred dollars.
Plastic storage cabinets
Easy on the pocket, plastic storage cabinets are valued for their practical beauty. Even though they may not be as strong and durable as metal or wooden furniture, plastic storage cabinets are convenient and perfect for daily use.
Unlike wood and metal, they are resistant to rust, corrosion and rotting. Furthermore, they are easy to clean with just water and soap. The modern plastic storage cabinets come with stackable and customizable configurations, so they can be used pretty much anywhere in the house.
Polyethene, polypropylene and PVC and some of the most commonly used materials in plastic storage cabinets. While polyethene is best for heavy-duty usage and outdoor storage, polypropylene is a recyclable plastic, light and durable.
A medium-sized plastic cabinet with multiple shelves typically costs $90 to $300, making it most affordable among other options.
Glass storage cabinets
Among all the options, glass storage cabinets hold the reputation for their unparalleled aesthetic appeal. They effortlessly enhance the visual appeal of any space, whether it’s someone’s home or office.
Many prefer cabinets made of glass to store collectables and books, as they offer a convenient see-through view without having to open the cabinet. You can also use them to store your expensive china or trophies.
However, the biggest drawback of glass furniture is its fragility. They can be a safety hazard in homes with kids and pets. Although stylish, glass cabinets don’t offer privacy, which means one misplaced book or a little dust sitting on it can warp their overall appeal.
As for the price, a freestanding glass display cabinet can cost anywhere from $250 to $1000. Whereas, the luxury designer glass cabinets can go up to a few thousand dollars.
Laminate storage cabinets
Another popular choice after plastic is laminate for storage cabinets. It’s made by pressing layers of paper or plastic resin together under heat and is bonded to MDF or particleboard.
Available in a variety of shapes and designs, laminate storage cabinets are perfect in homes with children or pets. Not only are they highly durable at an affordable price, but the material is also scratch-resistant. You also don’t have to worry about accidentally spilling liquids or exposure to external elements.
Laminate furniture is a great option when trying to balance cost, durability and style. They look as natural as wood, while weighing as much as plastic or less. These structures will last you a long time as long as they are kept away from extreme heat - right beside the stove in the kitchen or firewood in the living room aren’t the ideal spots.
While a 30-inch laminate cabinet costs around $200 on average, the price may increase with size and design.
Rattan or Wicker storage cabinets
Unlike other materials, storage cabinets made of wicker and rattan are best suited for specific setting and usage. For instance, they offer a tropical and boho look which beautifully blends with several interior styles. However, they might look out of place in a modern home surrounded by sleek and stylish furniture.
But both rattan and wicker boasts their own benefits, such as being renewable, sustainable and lightweight. They are best known for their natural aesthetics, adding texture and visual to any dull space.
Storage cabinets made of these materials have a shorter lifespan and are easily susceptible to rotting and damage in wet and humid environment. But we highly recommend bringing a wicker or rattan cabinet with you or a picnic or road trip, just to store essentials for a couple of days.
In a home setup, they are best placed in the living room with moderate temperature or entryway where you can store your bags, shoes and accessories. Wicker and rattan furniture could be kept in the bathroom, considering they are finished for moisture protection.
Which material suits your needs best?
Living room, bedroom and home office - Wooden storage cabinets last long in a moderate environment, where they aren’t exposed to extreme heat, sunlight or moisture.
Therefore, the best place to use it would be in the living room with stable temperatures, for media storage or as display cabinets for books and other collectables.
It’s also a great option choice for a bedroom furniture. Not only will it make it easier for you to organize bedding essentials and serve as a wardrobe, but it can also be used as a nightstand or dressing table.
As most houses are temperature-regulated, wooden storage cabinets are ideal for home offices as well. They can be used as filing cabinets, shelving units or credenzas.
You must avoid using wooden furniture in places like bathrooms, garages and basements at all costs. The wood can become warped from mildew, moisture or endure damage from pests.
Garage or workshop
Garages and workshops are often filled with dangerous tools, which can lead to devastating accidents if not properly stored. For such equipment, metal storage cabinets are best, in terms of longevity and utility. They are ideal for tool and chemical storage.
You don’t have to worry about the furniture getting dirty or stress about oil stains, as the metal surface is easy to clean.
Another common use of metal storage cabinets is in office or filing rooms, where documents and supplies need to be protected. These structures are often lockable, fire-resistant and space-efficient, making them ideal for professional setups.
Laundry room, bathroom and Kids’ room
Bathrooms and laundry rooms are subjected to a lot of dampness and moisture. Plastic storage cabinets are most suitable for such conditions as they don’t absorb water and protect your things from rotting or becoming wet.
The same can also be used in children’s playrooms, as they don’t come with sharp edges and are comparatively safer to move around. Available in various designs and colors, the vibrant furniture would encourage kids to keep their rooms organized and clutter-free.
Plastic storage cabinets are recommended for people staying in temporary setups, as moving them around is less of a hassle compared to their wooden or metal counterparts.
Kitchen and Entryway
Whether you want to put your exotic spice collection on display or store cutlery in a place that’s easily accessible, a cabinet made of glass is just the piece of furniture your kitchen needs.
They are also a great addition to your dining room and living room, where you can put your barware, artwork or decorative items on display.
Glass storage cabinets can instantly enhance the appeal of your entryway or hallway, as long as they are used as a decorative focal point. Want to create a dramatic first impression? Add subtle lighting, probably bordering the sides of the cabinet, creating an illusion.
Having said that, glass storage cabinets can make your space look unattractive if it’s used to store mismatched items. It only adds value when the placement and arrangement of things within it are neat.
The disadvantages of incorrect storage cabinets
Choosing the right kind of storage furniture is crucial in terms of functionality, durability and maintenance.
Therefore, you must always pick a material that suits your needs the best. Say you invest in an expensive wooden storage cabinet for your children’s bedroom, but soon you realize a plastic cabinet would have worked just fine.
Similarly, you may regret investing in a metal cabinet while living in a humid region, as the furniture can easily rust and corrode. Choosing the right material ensures the cabinet lasts in the suitable environment.
While your bedroom or living rooms can use more delicate furniture like a wicker or rattan drawer or cabinet, tougher material like aluminium and steel ones are better suited for garages and basements.
Needless to say, don’t overlook the important of aesthetics, especially when you’re choosing cabinet, which aren’t just for storing things as we’ve explained so far.
While the right type of cabinet adds immense value to the overall appearance of your space, the wrong material can throw off the style or theme and disrupt the proportion and space balance as well.
More to read
From Entryway To Garage: The Ultimate Guide To Storage Cabinets For Every Area
