Vintage corner units from the 1950s through 1980s – when furniture makers designed specifically for those awkward corner spaces that don’t take standard furniture well. We source mid-century corner units from makers like Ercol, G-Plan, and Scandinavian manufacturers who understood that corners could be functional rather than just dead space.
Each corner unit here has been professionally restored in our Devon workshop. Wooden frames are hand sanded to remove decades of wear, then finished with Danish oil to bring out the grain in teak, oak, or walnut. Glass shelves and doors are cleaned and checked for chips or cracks. Hinges are serviced so doors close properly, internal lighting is rewired where fitted, and any display lighting gets updated to current safety standards.
What makes a good corner unit:
Proper triangular or curved construction that actually fits corners rather than just being a normal cabinet pushed into one. Solid timber throughout – teak, oak, walnut, or beech depending on maker and era. Glass fronts or shelving for display (these were made to show off your best china, glassware, or collections). Internal configuration that makes sense – adjustable shelves, proper depth for storage, lighting to show contents.
You’ll find different types here depending on what people used corners for back then. Tall display cabinets with glass doors and shelves for china and ornaments. Corner bars or drinks cabinets with bottle storage and glass racks. TV corner units from when televisions were smaller and corner placement made sense. Low storage units with cupboards below and display space above.
Design and construction:
The angled construction is what defines these pieces. Better makers used proper joinery to create the triangular shape – mitred joints, angled panels, curved fronts that follow the corner radius. Cheaper examples just stuck two straight panels together at right angles, which wastes corner space.
Glass is common in corner units – display was the whole point. Look for bevelled edges on better quality glass shelving. Adjustable shelf positions using brass or chrome supports. Mirrored backs to reflect light and make displays more visible. Some units have glazed doors; others are open-fronted.
Lighting appears in many corner display cabinets – originally small tungsten bulbs, which we update to LED equivalents for safety and heat reasons. The wiring gets completely redone to current standards, though we keep original switches and fittings where possible.
Materials and makers:
Teak dominates mid-century corner units – the warm colour and grain work well for display furniture. Oak gives a lighter, more Scandinavian feel. Walnut appears in higher-end pieces. G-Plan made distinctive corner units as part of their modular ranges. Ercol produced corner cabinets that matched their dining furniture. Scandinavian makers brought clean lines and quality construction.
Construction quality varies. Better units have solid timber frames, proper glazing bars if fitted, adjustable shelving on quality supports. Cheaper examples might use veneer over cheaper cores, fixed shelving, thin glass. We’re honest about which is which.
Practical considerations:
Corner units are designed for specific spaces – you need an actual corner. Measure your corner space carefully including skirting boards and ceiling height. Some units are tall (floor to ceiling or near it), others are low sideboards. Depth varies – deeper units hold more but intrude further into the room.
Access matters too. Glass-fronted units need careful handling during delivery. Tall corner units often come in sections (base and top) for moving, but you need to check doorway widths and ceiling heights. We provide dimensions for everything.
Types and uses:
Display cabinets for china, glass, collections – typically with glass shelves and doors, often with lighting. Corner bars with bottle racks, glass storage, sometimes drop-down serving surfaces. TV units from when corner placement was common – these work well now for smaller TVs or as display storage. Corner cupboards with solid doors for storage rather than display.
Modern homes can use these differently than originally intended. Display cabinets still work for china and glass. Old TV units become bookshelf corners or plant displays. Corner bars hold books, records, or actual drinks depending on your style.
Restoration transparency:
We’re honest about condition and restoration work. If timber has been refinished, if glass is replacement rather than original, if lighting has been rewired, if hinges or supports are new – you’ll know. Some units retain original glass with slight imperfections (character, not damage); others need new shelving depending on condition.
Corner units often show wear at vulnerable points – door edges, exposed corners of frames, shelf supports. We address structural issues but don’t try to make 50+ year old furniture look unused.
These come from house clearances and sales across Southwest England. They’ve filled corner spaces in dining rooms, living rooms, and hallways since the 1950s-70s, displaying china, holding drinks, making use of awkward spaces. Properly restored, they’ll do the same for decades more.
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