Choose once, live well. This TAS Living guide makes consoles and display cabinets work beautifully in Indian homes—depth bands that don’t pinch circulation, shelf loads that don’t sag, and tray systems that make hosting effortless.
What Each Piece Is For (and Where They Live)
Console
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Purpose: Slim storage + styling + light serving. A landing zone for trays, lamps, art, and everyday order.
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Typical dimensions:
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Top height: ~85–90 cm (comfortable for lamp switches and light plating).
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Depth band: 30–40 cm (the sweet spot: visually light, safe for passages).
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Width: Scales with wall; common spans 120–220 cm.
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Best locations: Dining wall, foyer/entry, living–dining transition, behind a sofa (with power planned).
If you routinely park platters or warmers on top, choose deeper consoles (37–40 cm) or consider a shallow bar/display cabinet nearby for heavier-duty serving.
Display Cabinet (Curio/Vitrine)
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Purpose: Showcase and protect—objects, glassware, books, awards—while controlling dust and light.
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Typical dimensions:
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Top section depth: 30–40 cm for collectibles and stemware; 40–50 cm for wide platters or large sculptural pieces.
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Overall height: 180–230 cm for a calm, vertical presence.
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Door type: Hinged framed glass or sliding in tight passages.
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Best locations: Living room feature wall, dining corner opposite the table, or a circulation pause with controlled sunlight.
Founder POV — Anmol Sachdeva: “Luxury is quiet competence—doors close softly, trays move smoothly, cables vanish. Depth and load are the craft under the calm.”
Depth & Circulation (India-First Reality Check)
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Front pass-through (walk band): Keep ≥ 91 cm in primary routes; ≥ 76 cm is the absolute pinch-point minimum in tight apartments.
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Opposite seating/doors: If a console faces chair backs or a door swing, sketch it—never trap guests on festival nights.
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Console depth picks:
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30–32 cm: foyer and narrow corridors; styling-first.
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33–36 cm: dining/living transitions; drawers possible.
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37–40 cm: light serving, trays, and comfortable drawer interiors—use where the room breathes.
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Display cabinet depth picks:
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30–34 cm: books, collectibles, stemware; slender and couture.
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35–40 cm: mixed objects; better for angled displays.
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41–50 cm: large platters/tall art—ensure the wall can visually carry the depth.
India notes: Stone floors + narrow passages amplify bulk. When in doubt, err slim on the footprint and reclaim function with interior tray systems and smart shelving.
Shelf Loads That Don’t Sag
Glass Shelves (Tempered, Always)
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Span matters more than thickness. Shorter spans carry more; long, unsupported stretches invite sag and rattle.
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Illustrative guidance for tempered glass (validate for your span/load):
|
Clear Shelf Span (mm) |
6 mm thick |
8 mm thick |
10 mm thick |
|
≤ 600 |
light objects |
medium objects |
heavy objects |
|
600–800 |
light objects |
medium–heavy |
heavy |
|
800–1000 |
— |
medium objects |
medium–heavy |
Build details that help
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Use continuous side supports or robust shelf pins; avoid tiny point supports for heavy loads.
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Edge polish reduces micro-chipping; back-stops (clear strips) stop pieces from creeping into glass doors during cleaning.
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For wide spans or heavy books/stone objects, step up to 10 mm or add a front edge rail.
Wood/Veneer Shelves (Sag Control)
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Stiffness hierarchy: multi-ply plywood > high-density MDF > particle.
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Anti-sag tricks:
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Add a 20×40 mm front apron/rail (wood or metal)—massive stiffness gain, elegant shadow line.
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Shorten the span with a slim center stile or concealed underside rib.
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Depth for heavy books/ceramics does better at 28–34 cm than at 40 cm.
Lighting That Flatters (and Doesn’t Cook the Cabinet)
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Inside a cabinet: Use low-heat LEDs (micro-spots or concealed strips) with CRI ≥ 90 so glass, brass, ceramics and books render true.
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Colour temperature: 2700–3000 K for dining/living warmth; keep a single CCT in the scene to avoid odd casts.
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Driver & heat paths: Park drivers in a ventilated bay; provide micro-vents at top (warm air out) and bottom (cool air in).
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On a console: A satin-brass picture light over art creates a quiet focal; table lamps add height rhythm.
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Glare control: Use diffusers, aim spots at the object, not the glass; nudge lights off any mirror backing to avoid “hot dots.”
Tray Systems & Interior Intelligence (Daily Elegance)
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Top trays (serve safely): Brass/stone trays corral oils, gravies, and glasses during hosting and festivals—no panic over haldi or ghee.
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Cutlery & linen: Velvet/felt-lined shallow drawers (50–80 mm internal) for flatware; deeper drawers (120–180 mm) for napkins and runners.
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Pull-out platter trays: Full-extension runners rated ≥ 35–45 kg; specify soft-close to avoid slamming loads.
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Charging bay: A concealed power grommet and brush plate inside the cabinet for warmers/bar tools; cable exits are invisible from the front.
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Door discipline: Soft-close hinges; felt bumpers on glass-on-wood contact points to prevent “glass chatter”.
UV, Dust & Safety
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Sun-exposed displays: If the cabinet sees strong daylight, consider laminated UV-protect glass or UV-inhibiting acrylic. Acrylic is lighter but scratches easier; glass is heavier but more scratch-resistant.
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Dust control: Gasketed doors or tight overlaps reduce cleaning frequency; magnetic catches keep seals consistent.
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Seismic & child safety: Anchor tall cabinets; use anti-tip kits and correct wall plugs for masonry/brick.
Quick Spec Tables (save these)
A) Depth & Clearance Matrix
|
Piece |
Recommended Depth (cm) |
Front Pass-Through |
Door/Drawer Allowance |
Notes |
|
Console |
30–40 |
≥ 91 cm (≥ 76 cm tight) |
Drawer pull + 10–15 cm |
Top height 85–90 cm; slimmer than sideboard, perfect for passages |
|
Display Cabinet (collectibles) |
30–40 |
≥ 91 cm |
Hinge swing clearance |
Slender reads couture; lighter loads |
|
Display Cabinet (platters/books) |
40–50 |
≥ 91 cm |
Hinge swing or rail space |
Plan shelf thickness by span/load |
|
Bar Cabinet |
40–50 |
≥ 91 cm |
Glass door swing + shaker space |
Vent drivers; spill-friendly tray tops |
B) Shelf & Lighting Quick Guide
|
Element |
Baseline Spec |
Upgrade When |
|
Glass shelf |
Tempered 8 mm up to ~800 mm span |
Wider/heavier → 10 mm / add front rail |
|
Wood shelf |
Plywood + 20×40 mm front apron |
Heavy books/ceramics → shorten span / add center rib |
|
LED inside cabinet |
CRI ≥ 90, 2700–3000 K, driver in vented bay |
Sunlit rooms → consider UV glass/acrylic; add dimming |
|
Power |
Recessed outlet + brush plate inside |
Bar/warmer use → specify 15 A where needed |
Buying & Placement Recipes (Copy These)
Dining Wall (Hosting-First Console)
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Depth 33–38 cm (go 37–40 cm if you regularly set platters).
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Top: honed stone with brass tray and a low lamp; art above with picture light.
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Inside: cutlery insert, pull-out platter tray ≥ 45 kg rating, one charging bay.
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Front clearance: ≥ 91 cm to table edge.
Living Room Pause (Slim Display)
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Depth 30–34 cm; tall vitrine with 8 mm tempered glass shelves on short spans.
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Lighting: two micro-spots per shelf tier; CRI ≥ 90.
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Glare: align so doors don’t reflect TV; consider UV glass if sunlit.
Dining Corner Curio (Mixed Objects)
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Depth 35–40 cm; mix glass and wood shelves (wood with front apron).
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Inside edge: satin-brass inlay echoes the console’s hardware for a quiet tie-in.
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Power: driver bay low, vent slots discreet at top.
Mistakes That Cheapen the Look
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Over-deep consoles (≥ 42–45 cm) in short rooms—feel bulky and kill pass-throughs.
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Glass shelves too thin for long spans—sag and rattle over time.
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Mixed colour temperatures inside cabinets—greenish glass, sallow brass.
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No power plan—visible cords from lamps or warmers on a premium wall.
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Loud rug borders directly under a heavy cabinet—let the cabinet be the hero; keep rug borders subtle nearby.
FAQs
What depth is best for a console in India?
Most homes land between 30–40 cm. It’s slim enough for passages yet practical for lamps and light serving. Hold ≥ 91 cm clear in front (≥ 76 cm only if you absolutely must).
How thick should my glass shelves be?
Depends on span and load. As a rule, tempered 8 mm suits modest spans (~≤ 800 mm) and lighter loads; go 10 mm or add a front rail for wider/heavier setups.
Can I put lights inside a display cabinet?
Yes—use low-heat LEDs with CRI ≥ 90 and plan driver ventilation. Keep colour temperature consistent (2700–3000 K) for warm, flattering light.
Do I need UV protection for a vitrine?
If it’s sunlit or holding delicate pieces, consider laminated UV-protect glass or UV acrylic. Otherwise, standard tempered glass is fine.
What interior features actually help day-to-day?
Pull-out trays, cutlery inserts, felt/velvet liners, and a concealed charging bay. They keep hosting calm and surfaces pristine.
Summary
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Console depth: 30–40 cm; top 85–90 cm high; keep ≥ 91 cm clear in front.
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Display cabinet depth: 30–40 cm for collectibles; 40–50 cm for platters/books; size glass thickness by span.
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Shelves: tempered glass (8–10 mm depending on span/load) or plywood with a front apron; shorten spans to fight sag.
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Lighting: CRI ≥ 90, 2700–3000 K, drivers ventilated, glare diffused.
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Tray systems: top brass/stone trays; pull-out platter trays; cutlery/linen inserts; hidden power with brush plates.
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India-first: plan pass-throughs, conceal cables, respect stone floors (pads), and tame daylight/UV as needed.
