Cupboard

Decorative crockery and bibelots in vitré armoire or vitrina

A cupboard is a type of cabinet, often made of wood, used indoors to store household objects such as food and crockery, and protect them from dust.

As the name suggests, this piece of furniture was originally a simple board or table on which to place cups or mugs - recorded use of such a name dates back to at least the Middle Ages. For the last few centuries, "cupboard" has referred to a storage area enclosed by doors. The word armoire typically refers to any tall, standalone, often ornated cupboard.

The storage of foodstuffs in cupboards was a major advance in public health as it protected foods from insects and vermin. Furthermore, in hot countries the temperature inside a cupboard is likely to be cooler than outside. This, and the dark interior, will preserve food longer than if it were stored outside.

Cupboard

See also