Cupboard vs. Closet — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on July 12, 2024
A cupboard is a piece of furniture or small storeroom used to store dishes, food, or other household items, often with shelves. A closet is a small room or enclosed space in a house used for general storage or hanging clothes.
Difference Between Cupboard and Closet
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A cupboard is traditionally a piece of furniture with shelves or drawers for storing or displaying tableware, food, or other household items. A closet, conversely, refers to a small room or enclosed area within a building designated for general storage or for hanging garments.
Cupboards are commonly found in kitchens and dining areas, equipped with doors to protect the contents and sometimes specific features for particular types of storage. Closets are built into the walls of homes and may be walk-in or reach-in, designed to store clothing, shoes, and other personal items.
The term cupboard can also extend to freestanding storage units that can be moved from one place to another, unlike a closet, which is an integral part of a home’s structure. While closets are almost exclusively used for clothing and personal items, cupboards can serve a multitude of purposes depending on their location and design.
Cupboards can be open-fronted or have glass doors for display purposes, featuring household or ornamental items. Closets are typically closed off with solid doors, emphasizing privacy and are rarely used for display purposes.
Both cupboards and closets are essential to the organization and storage in domestic spaces, but their specific uses and connotations differ, reflecting the variety of storage solutions in home design.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A storage unit with shelves or compartments
An enclosed space within a building for storage
Location
Often found in kitchens or dining areas
Built into the walls of bedrooms or hallways
Purpose
Typically for storing dishes, food, utensils
Used for hanging clothes, storing shoes, etc.
Mobility
Can be freestanding and movable
Fixed in place as part of the home’s architecture
Materials
Made from a variety of materials, including wood
Typically constructed as part of a home with drywall, wood, etc.
Compare with Definitions
Cupboard
An enclosed shelf for holding dishes or food.
(The cupboard was stocked with canned goods.)
Closet
A small room for clothes storage.
(She hung her dresses in the walk-in closet.)
Cupboard
A freestanding unit for household organization.
(The antique cupboard held all of her heirloom china.)
Closet
A wardrobe or storage area built into a room.
(They renovated the master bedroom to include a larger closet.)
Cupboard
A furniture piece for storing kitchen items.
(She retrieved a bowl from the kitchen cupboard.)
Closet
A compartment or cubicle for storage within a room.
(She searched through the closet for her winter boots.)
Cupboard
A storage space with doors and shelves.
(He built a wooden cupboard for our pots and pans.)
Closet
A closet (especially in North American usage) is an enclosed space, with a door, used for storage, particularly that of clothes. Fitted closets are built into the walls of the house so that they take up no apparent space in the room.
Cupboard
A cabinet for storing various household articles.
(The children peeked into the cupboard looking for snacks.)
Closet
A tall cupboard or wardrobe with a door, used for storage
He has a closet full of designer suits
Cupboard
The term cupboard was originally used to describe an open-shelved side table for displaying dishware, more specifically plates, cups and saucers. These open cupboards typically had between one and three display tiers, and at the time, a drawer or multiple drawers fitted to them.
Closet
Used to refer to a state of secrecy or concealment, especially about one's homosexuality
She tries to have a relationship with another woman while remaining in the closet
His brother's decision to come out of the closet
Cupboard
A closet or cabinet, usually with shelves for storing food, crockery, and utensils.
Closet
Secret; covert
A closet smoker
Cupboard
(obsolete) A board or table used to openly hold and display silver plate and other dishware; a sideboard; a buffet. 18
Closet
Shut (someone) away, especially in private conference or study
He returned home and closeted himself in his room
He was closeted with the king
Cupboard
(obsolete) Things displayed on a sideboard; dishware, particularly valuable plate. 19
Closet
A cabinet or enclosed recess for linens, household supplies, or clothing.
Cupboard
A cabinet, closet, or other piece of furniture with shelves intended for storing cookware, dishware, or food; similar cabinets or closets used for storing other items.
Put the cups back into the cupboard.
Closet
A small private chamber, as for study or prayer.
Cupboard
(obsolete) Things stored in a cupboard; particularly food.
Closet
A water closet; a toilet.
Cupboard
To collect, as into a cupboard; to hoard.
Closet
A state of secrecy or cautious privacy
Two days before the election, the candidate suddenly came out of the closet and denounced the proposed law.
Cupboard
A board or shelf for cups and dishes.
Closet
To enclose or shut up in a private room, as for discussion
Closeted themselves with their attorneys.
Cupboard
A small closet in a room, with shelves to receive cups, dishes, food, etc.; hence, any small closet.
Closet
Private; confidential
Closet information.
Cupboard
To collect, as into a cupboard; to hoard.
Closet
Being so or engaging only in private; secret
A closet proponent of a tax increase.
A closet alcoholic.
Cupboard
A small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
Closet
Based on theory and speculation rather than practice.
Closet
A small room within a house used to store clothing, food, or other household supplies.
Closet
(obsolete) Any private space, particularly bowers in the open air.
Closet
Any private or inner room, particularly:
Closet
(obsolete) A private room used by women to groom and dress themselves.
Closet
(archaic) A private room used for prayer or other devotions.
Closet
A place of fanciful contemplation and theorizing.
Closet
(archaic) The private residence or private council chamber of a monarch.
Closet
(obsolete) A pew or side-chapel reserved for a monarch or other feudal lord.
Closet
A private cabinet, particularly:
Closet
(obsolete) One used to store valuables.
Closet
(archaic) One used to store curiosities.
Closet
(figuratively) A secret or hiding place, particularly the hiding place in English idioms such as in the closet and skeleton in the closet.
The closet can be a scary place for a gay teenager.
Closet
(slang, uncommon) closet case.
Closet
Any small room or side-room, particularly:
Closet
One intended for storing clothes or bedclothes.
Closet
(obsolete) nodot=a, water closet: a room containing a toilet.
Closet
(heraldry) An ordinary similar to a bar but half as broad.
Closet
A sewer.
Closet
A state or condition of secrecy, privacy, or obscurity.
Closet
(obsolete) private
Closet
Closeted, secret (especially with reference to gay people who are in the closet)
He's a closet case.
Closet
Denoting anything kept a secret or private.
Closet
(transitive) To shut away for private discussion.
The ambassador has been closeted with the prime minister all afternoon. We're all worried what will be announced when they exit.
Closet
(transitive) To put into a private place for a secret interview or interrogation.
Closet
(transitive) To shut up in, or as in, a closet for concealment or confinement.
Closet
A small room or apartment for retirement; a room for privacy.
A chair-lumbered closet, just twelve feet by nine.
When thou prayest, enter into thy closet.
Closet
A small apartment, or recess in the side of a room, for household utensils, clothing, etc.
Closet
To shut up in, or as in, a closet; to conceal.
Bedlam's closeted and handcuffed charge.
Closet
To make into a closet for a secret interview.
He was to call a new legislature, to closet its members.
He had been closeted with De Quadra.
Closet
A small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
Closet
A toilet in England
Closet
A tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
Closet
A small private room for study or prayer
Closet
Confine to a small space, as for intensive work
Closet
(of information) given in confidence or in secret;
Closet information
This arrangement must be kept confidential
Their secret communications
Closet
Indulging only covertly;
A closet alcoholic
Closet liberals
Closet
An enclosed space in a house for general storage.
(The vacuum cleaner was kept in the hall closet.)
Closet
A private space for storing personal items.
(His closet was meticulously organized with every item in place.)
Common Curiosities
What is a cupboard typically made of?
Cupboards are typically made of wood, but can also be made of metal, plastic, or glass.
Is a pantry a type of cupboard?
Yes, a pantry is a type of cupboard specifically designed for storing food.
Are closets only for clothing?
No, closets can store various items, but are commonly used for clothing.
Is a china cabinet a cupboard?
Yes, a china cabinet is a type of cupboard designed to display fine china.
Can a closet have shelves?
Yes, closets often have shelves, racks, or rods for organizing items.
Do cupboards have locks?
Some cupboards may have locks for securing valuable or dangerous items.
Can cupboards be built into walls?
Cupboards can be set into walls, but they are more commonly seen as standalone pieces.
Do closets need ventilation?
Yes, especially if used for clothes, to prevent moisture buildup and maintain air quality.
What is a linen closet?
A linen closet is a space designated for storing bed sheets, towels, and other linens.
What is a utility cupboard?
A utility cupboard is for storing cleaning supplies and household tools.
Are walk-in closets common?
Walk-in closets are common in modern homes and spacious apartments.
Can a closet be converted to a cupboard?
With proper shelving and doors, a closet can function similarly to a cupboard.
Are cupboards customizable?
Yes, cupboards can be customized in design, size, and features.
Is a coat closet different from other closets?
A coat closet is specifically for storing outerwear and is often located near entryways.
Do cupboards add value to a home?
Well-designed cupboards can add functional and aesthetic value to a home.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
