cubby

A cubby is a small storage compartment, typically open at the front, used for organizing personal items. It can be part of furniture, such as a cabinet with multiple cubbies, or a freestanding unit, and is common in homes, schools, and workplaces. Cubbies are designed to keep items like hats, coats, shoes, toys, books, or paperwork within easy reach and clearly separated.

The term cubby originates in English from the early 19th century, referring to a small recess or hideaway. It is often used in the compound cubbyhole. The precise origin is unclear, but the form has since become shorthand for a small, partitioned storage space.

Cubbies may be open-fronted or have doors or sliding panels. They come in various materials (wood, plywood, laminate, metal) and configurations (wall-mounted banks, freestanding towers, modular systems). Sizes range from compact wall cubbies for backpacks to larger units for coats or shoes. Some designs include labels, bins, or baskets to aid organization.

In schools, students use personal cubbies to store backpacks, lunch boxes, and supplies, often arranged in rows along corridors or classrooms. In homes, cubby units organize entryway items, children's rooms, dens, or play areas. Offices may use cubbies for mail, folders, or small parts in workshops. In furniture retail, cubby can describe parts of dressers, entertainment centers, closets, and modular storage systems.