Tall Cabinets in Chinese Furniture Design

A tall cabinet can be a practical and stylish addition to any room in the home. Whether used for storage in a living space, as a place to display favourite items, or to bring height and structure to a wall, these upright and spacious pieces offer the ideal combination of style and practicality. At Shimu, our tall cabinets are selected for their design, build quality and link to traditional Chinese furniture styles.

Tall cabinets come in a variety of forms, from simple two-door cupboards to elaborate painted pieces or designs with open shelving. Whether you're furnishing a hallway, dining area or bedroom, these cabinets can provide both a storage solution and a point of visual interest.

Tall cabinets have a long history in Chinese homes and interiors. Known in some regions as 'armoire-style' pieces, these cabinets were often found in wealthier homes and used for storing clothes, books, or valuable objects. Unlike Western wardrobes, these cabinets were usually made without drawers or rails. Instead, they featured shelves, wide compartments and interior boxes.

Made from solid wood such as elm or pine, traditional tall cabinets were built to last. Simple in shape but with robust joinery, they often featured brass fittings and wood panels with minimal decoration. Over time, some makers began to decorate these cabinets with painted or carved panels, adding detail while keeping the overall structure straightforward.

At Shimu, we offer both antique and newly made tall cabinets based on these older styles. Some are left plain with a soft lacquer finish, while others are painted with scenes of flowers, birds or figures from Chinese folklore.

Tall Cabinets: Practical and Decorative

One of the reasons the tall cabinet remains so useful today is its size. With height rather than width, it can be placed in narrow spots or smaller rooms without taking up too much floor space. In modern homes, these cabinets work well for storing tableware, glass, linens or even clothing, depending on the room.

A painted tall cabinet, for example, can add character to a hallway or living room. In contrast, a plainer wood cabinet with clean lines might suit a more neutral bedroom or kitchen. Their vertical shape helps draw the eye upwards, adding depth to the room and breaking up horizontal lines.

Many of our tall cabinets also include a mix of open shelving and closed compartments, offering a useful balance between display and hidden storage. These mixed-use pieces are ideal for homes that value both looks and function.

Black Lacquer Furniture | Blue and White Ginger Jar | Chinese Artwork | Chinese Tableware | Buddha Head | Green Chinese Ginger Jar | Chinese Blue Lamp | Oriental Rugs | Oriental Cabinet | Chinese Sideboards | Mango Furniture | Chinese Furniture | Chinese Buddha | Blue Chinese Rug | Large Buddha Statue | Chinese Temple | Dragon Necklace | Second Hand Chinese Furniture | Chinese Coffee Tables | Chinese Medicine Cabinet | Chinese Armoire | Chinese Furniture Birmingham | Chinese Furniture Glasgow | Chinoiserie | Chinese Lanterns | Chinese Figurines | Calligraphy Brushes | Chinese Lamp Shades | Modern Chinese Interior Design | Old Antique Wooden Boxes | Chinese Console Tables