Museum Storage Cabinets | Preserve Collections, Save Space

Museum storage cabinets are purpose-built to protect valuable collections from light, dust, pests, and humidity changes while optimizing space for growth. Whether storing documents, artifacts, textiles, or fragile specimens, these systems support long-term preservation and better collection management.

art preserve cabinet with glass doors used for artifact storage and protection

Cabinets That Protect Collections from Damage

Museum cabinets shield artifacts from common threats like light exposure, dust, pollutants, and pest infestation. The cabinets use sealed enclosures and stable materials that won’t off-gas or harm objects over time. Available in flat file, upright, or glass-front styles, they create safe environments for everything from paper and fabric to natural history specimens.

Benefits include:

Sealed interiors with light- and pest-resistant design
Inert materials for long-term preservation
Multiple cabinet styles for flat, vertical, or hanging items
Optional climate control features
Designed to meet museum-grade standards

Storage Solutions for Any Collection Type

Cabinet types vary to meet the needs of specific collections. Flat file cabinets are ideal for maps, prints, and textiles. Natural history items like rocks, insects, or dried plants require specialty cabinet interiors with reinforced shelves or sealed trays. Some museums opt for glass-top cabinets to display fragile items without direct handling

Museum Cabinets for Storage:

Flat file drawers for large paper and textiles
Insect trays and specimen drawers
Rock storage with reinforced supports
Glass-front or glass-top viewing options
Adjustable shelving for multi-type collections

Rows of museum cabinets with glass doors and metal shelves containing artifacts for easy access and viewing

display storage geology cabinets at Arizona State University showcasing geological samples

Maximize Storage Capacity Without Expanding Space

As museum collections grow, traditional shelving can’t keep up. Museum cabinets condense stored items into smaller footprints using vertical space and enclosed drawers. Most institutions gain 30–50% more capacity within the same square footage by converting from open shelving to cabinet systems

Museum Cabinets for Storage:

High-density layouts save 30–50% of floor space
Uses full height and depth of cabinet footprint
Stackable or mobile options available
Efficient inventory organization and labeling
Fits archival boxes, trays, or loose objects

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How Can Museum Storage Impact Your Display Room?

Frequently Asked Questions

Museum storage cabinets can store a wide range of items including textiles, artwork, documents, fossils, tools, uniforms, and natural specimens. Cabinet interiors can be customized to fit collection-specific needs like flat files for paper, trays for insects, or reinforced drawers for geological samples.

Each cabinet is designed with sealed enclosures, non-reactive materials, and optional features like UV-resistant fronts or dust gaskets. These elements protect collections from light, pests, moisture, and off-gassing—ensuring long-term preservation.

Yes. Adjustable shelving, removable trays, and modular interiors allow staff to reconfigure the layout as the collection expands or changes. This flexibility helps museums make the most of limited space over time.

Yes. Cabinets provide full enclosure, protect from contaminants, and improve storage density by eliminating wasted space between items. Most institutions gain 30 to 50 percent more capacity compared to standard shelving.

Absolutely. Many museums choose glass-front or display-integrated cabinets for visitor-accessible archives. These units preserve objects while making collections visible and engaging to the public.

Museum-grade cabinets are built to meet preservation standards set by institutions like the AIC and SPNHC. They use powder-coated steel, sealed drawers, and inert construction materials for compliance with archival best practices.

Honest Results

“Southwest Solutions Group is an amazing company made so much better by having Daryl at the helm of Museum and Library storage space saving designs in the NW. Daryl is not only an expert in high density shelving systems, but he consistently tunes into optimizing long term solutions to complex storage needs and pliable projects. Always reliable and knowledgeable, Daryl and his Spacesaver’s team have been indispensable partners in our world of cultural preservation.”

“The new art racks are massive and beautiful! I cannot wait to hang art on the racks with those fancy hooks, wow! Thank you for helping me see the project through. The efforts of your team and installation really made the project go very smoothly and on time. We look forward to showing off the new and improved art storage room to our Director, Board Members, and Staff. Thanks a million, it has been a pleasure to work with you and your wonderful team on our paintings storage area.”

“I want to thank your entire team for the outstanding work on our art storage project. The process from beginning to end was smooth and enjoyable, and the finished room looks terrific! Chester, Bryan, Chris, Chris, and the other members were extremely thorough and a pleasure to work with. They followed our house rules and took our direction very well. Thanks again for an outstanding project, and I look forward to working with Southwest Solutions in the future should the opportunity arise”

Southwest Solutions Near You

With 7 offices in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, plus teams covering every major metro area nationwide, Southwest Solutions Group delivers expert museum cabinet sales, design, installation, and maintenace support wherever you need it.

Museum Cabinets Service Areas

Texas

Offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston & San Antonio w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Austin
Dallas
El Paso
Fort Worth
Houston
San Antonio

Oklahoma

Office in Edmond w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Broken Arrow
Edmond
Lawton
Norman
Oklahoma City
Tulsa

Kansas

Office in Lenexa w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Kansas City
Lawrence
Olathe
Overland Park
Topeka
Wichita

Colorado

Office in Englewood w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Aurora
Colorado Springs
Denver
Fort Collins
Lakewood
Boulder

Alaska