Collectables Cabinet

**Chris Parks** · 7th March 2020, 02:49 PM

We are going to do some renovations to the house and there has been a long standing problem with having a suitable display or collectables cabinet and to get around that I have suggested that we put two cabinets into a new wall that will be built. The dimensions of the cabinets are not important at the moment but the wall will have to be about 300mm deep front to back. The depth won't be apparent as a thick wall because of the way it will be built with no end on view.

Has anyone built anything like this? I have done the internet search and can find exactly one example, there might be more and I will keep searching. As a general rule for any cabinet of this nature I think the lighting is a very important feature. If I put lights at the top as most have done will it throw shadows down through the cabinet as seems likely?

I am yet to decide how to do it, either build it out of the wall and slide it in or frame it in as we build the wall which seems simple enough and then add the shiny bits. I think framing it in is ahead on points at the moment but suggestions are always welcome.

Has anyone built a freestanding cabinet and can offer any suggestions or pitfalls?

**rustynail** · 7th March 2020, 03:14 PM

Chris, I've done quite a few of these over the years, both face mounted to walls and also built in. For the latter I would suggest creating an opening in the frame and slipping the cabinets in. Much easier and quicker fitting shelves etc on the bench in the workshop than in the wall. As for lighting, it very much depends on the displayed items and the shelf material and spacing. If timber shelves are to be used strip lights under each shelf is the best. If clear glass shelves, strip lights mounted to the back of the cabinet directly below the shelf above give good results and keep shadowing to a minimum.
It very much depends on the size of the items displayed as to how much shadow will be created. Some things require tiny individual spots strategically located to overcome the problem.

**Chris Parks** · 7th March 2020, 04:28 PM

My thinking was to create an opening and get a glazier to fit side walls and back done in mirror with all glass shelving, that way I don't have to build a "cabinet" which would be just a perimeter frame with a back on it or that is plan A but it is always open to change if a better one comes along.

**AlexS** · 7th March 2020, 05:01 PM

I'm with Rusty on having the cabinet mounted in the wall. Here's an example of one that I did that way last year. The cabinet had glass in the "back", which faced into the church, and a wooden panelled door in the vestry. I used a single LED light at the top which was OK for this cabinet, as it wasn't very tall and had glass shelves.

Just a note on lighting: there are specific types of lighting for various types of installation - in my case, mounted in wood, pointing down. I had to hunt for the specific ones that came from Hafele. Also, if you use LEDs you need to allow space for the transformer(s). Some can drive multiple lights.

Complete 8-2.jpg

20190217_091924.jpg

20181205-Installed - light on 2.jpg

Sorry about the recumbent photo.

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