12 Exceptional Design Features in Accent Cabinets & Chests

12 Exceptional Design Features in Accent Cabinets & Chests

  • Accent Cabinets & Chests Exceptional Design Features

Accent cabinets and chests are the perfect way to keep your house efficiently organized and well-styled. We’re taking a look at some of the most exceptional design features in today’s accent cabinets and chests — and helping you choose the best pieces for your home.

1. Hand-Painted Accents


Nothing says one-of-a-kind quite like hand-painted details. From the shabby-chic beauty of soft florals to bright abstract prints, these designs make any room feel extra special. Go bohemian with whimsical patterns, or complement your beach house with oceanic artwork instead.

Pro Tip: Love floral prints as much as we do? Freshen up your home with on-trend florals for clever ideas that will help your style bloom.


2. Eye-Catching Backgrounds


Put your style on full display with an accent cabinet that boasts outer and inner beauty. If you plan on using a cabinet to showcase your finest china or family photos, consider one with an artistic background. Whether it’s a botanical print, a color pop, or a mirrored finish, this type of design enhances any display and adds personality to the entire room.

  • Accent Wood Cabinet with Fern Wallpaper

Pro Tip: Turn an existing accent cabinet into a work of art by lining the background with wallpaper. Check out “5 Unique Ways to Use Wallpaper” for more DIY ideas (and browse our complete assortment of wallpaper prints here).

3. Nailhead Trims


Nailhead accents lend instant texture to headboards and chairs alike, and they have the same effect on accent cabinets and chests. This is a great way to incorporate your favorite metallic tones into any space with zero fuss, and the nailheads themselves come in a range of intricate patterns that give basic pieces some extra flair.

Pro Tip: Create a matching upholstered headboard with nailhead trim using easy and affordable DIYs.

4. Creative Handles


Upgrade a room’s overall style with accent cabinets designed with 3D features, scrolled adornments, and geometric handles. These little details make big statements, and they can add charm in unexpected ways (think key-shaped handles).


Pro Tip: Looking to update an existing cabinet’s hardware? Read our “Cabinet Hardware & Knobs Style Guide” for plenty of DIY inspiration.

5. Wheels


Wheeled accent cabinets and chests can come in especially handy in specific room layouts. Consider choosing a cabinet with wheels for the dining room and kitchen to expand your workspace and better accommodate your guests. Small wheeled cabinets are a smart choice for bathrooms and offices, as well.

  • Accent Cabinet with 3 Drawers, Wheels & Stylish Pull


Pro Tip: On the fence about what style to use in a particular room? Check out our “Accent Cabinets & Chests Tour – A Little Something for Every Room” for design ideas for any space.

6. Apothecary Designs


Love vintage aesthetics? Then this style is for you. Apothecary designs mimic the look of yesterday’s pharmacy cabinets with their multitude of small drawers, and they can work wonders when it comes to keeping your home neat and organized. Utilize these pieces in living rooms, craft rooms, offices, bedrooms, entryways or anywhere else that needs extra storage space.

  • Shop Curios Six-Drawer Brown Wood Apothecary Chest

Pro Tip: See how style influencer Joanna Hawley put an apothecary cabinet to good use in “Before & After: An Industrial Loft Bathroom Renovation".

Shop the Look

  • Shop Curios Brown Wood Apothecary Chest
  • Shop Curios Black Wood 4-Drawer Apothecary Chest
  • Shop Curios Black Wood Six-Drawer Apothecary Chest

7. Old-School Lockers


Give your home some schoolhouse charm with locker-inspired cabinets. These nostalgic styles work like a dream in industrial lofts and lend metallic edge to rustic interiors. Try an all-over locker cabinet for a singular statement, or choose a design with just a couple of locker doors instead. Distressed finishes add old-world appeal, while wood accents lend warmth to cool metallic tones.

  • Shop Wooden Bedroom Libations Locker


Pro Tip: Learn how to continue this eye-catching aesthetic throughout your home with our “Industrial Style Guide.”

Shop the Look

  • GuildMaster Waterfront Garden Lattice White Hall Cabinet
  • Designer White Cottage Liquor Locker
  • Two Doors and Four Drawers Libations Locker

8. Mixed Finishes

Speaking of finishes, there’s no need to limit yourself to just one. Accent cabinets and chests with mixed panels and hues add subtle texture to any space. From weathered paint to unexpected combinations of natural wood, these dynamic pieces stand out from the crowd.