How to Style a Hutch So It Looks Beautiful and Doubles as Extra Storage – According to Interior Designers Who Swear Every Kitchen Needs One
It's more versatile than you might think
As kitchen design gets more relaxed and built-in cabinetry mixes with freestanding pieces, the humble kitchen hutch is making a comeback. Full of character and offering a place to display your favorite wares, it's a furniture piece designers are excited to see back in our cooking spaces.
But it's a kitchen storage idea that goes beyond just functionality, doubling as a beautiful focal point and creating space for both essentials and decor. And the key to the success of this freestanding furniture is in the styling. To help you curate a beautiful kitchen hutch that's as pretty as it is practical, we've turned to interior designers to discover their hutch styling tips – and why they say it's a kitchen trend that's here to stay.
'We designed this very large dresser and filled it full of weird and wonderful old papier-mâché mushrooms,' says Helen Parker, Creative Director of deVOL Kitchens.
Hutches and dressers were once a staple in every kitchen. Shelves would be filled with ceramics, from plates and servers to teapots and butter dishes, while closed storage at the bottom would be utilized for dry ingredients and the lesser-used items that didn't need to be on display.
They were hardworking features of a kitchen, which evolved to blend aesthetics with functionality. And that's exactly why they are enjoying a revival this year. As trends continue to showcase the growing desire for freestanding kitchens that feel lived-in and personalized, a hutch is the missing piece.
'The main appeal of a kitchen hutch or dresser is that it acts as a standalone piece of furniture, bringing warmth and character to the space. I always look for antique or vintage pieces, as their imperfections are my favorite part. It is also the perfect opportunity to paint the piece a fun, standout color that complements the rest of the room,' says interior stylist Melanie Marshall.
Don't overlook the top of your hutch. In this design, it becomes the perfect place to display potted plants, drawing the eye up.
It's especially appealing in kitchen styles that lean less modern and minimal. From country kitchens to coastal schemes, a hutch offers a visual relief from continuous built-in cabinetry, creating a more collected, characterful design.
'I love a kitchen hutch because it's a great way to break up all of the built-in cabinetry. Kitchens can start to feel really boxy, so introducing a furniture piece adds new tones, textures, and shapes that make the room feel much more layered and collected,' says interior designer Cathryn Lindsey.
'It also creates an opportunity for open shelving without losing valuable upper cabinets. You can mix beautiful decorative objects with functional pieces, giving the kitchen more personality while still providing practical storage for glassware, serving pieces, or china.'
Modern iterations of hutches often have glass doors, like this playful design, which comes in white or light blue.
For something simple in form, this oak hutch offers a truly timeless design, with three spacious shelves, a drawer, and a closed cabinet.
You can find some really beautiful antique hutches that will instantly add character to a kitchen, like this 19th-century design with elegant edge details and paneled backing.
How to Style a Kitchen Hutch
1. Treat Your Hutch Styling like a Bookshelf
'A dresser is wonderful for storing platters, flatware, and linens – items that might otherwise take up precious space in kitchen cabinets,' says Melanie.
The way you style a hutch differs from how you style your other kitchen storage. It requires a balance between kitchenware and decorative elements, especially if you want it to create a more personalized feel in your cooking space.
'I treat it more like styling a bookshelf than stocking a cabinet. Layer in a small piece of artwork, a framed photo, a stack of books, a ceramic vase, or a vintage object so it doesn't read as shelves filled with dishes,' says Cathryn.
Try to strike a balance between your favorite kitchenware and collected pieces you want on display. 'The mix of functional and decorative pieces is what gives a hutch its charm and makes it feel like it has been collected over time rather than styled all at once.'
Even a small stack of recipe books can make your hutch look more lived-in. This one is perfect for Martha Stewart fans.
Mixing in aesthetic kitchenware goes a long way when styling a hutch. This ceramic pitcher feels cohesive in any space.
Mixing in art will always look good. This framed coastal painting is a lovely choice, with other landscape options also available.
2. Display Special Pieces, Rather Than Kitchenware You Use Daily
This charming design shows how characterful a hutch looks when styled with a mix of plates, vintage teacups, and collected decor.
The mistake a lot of people make when styling a hutch is filling it with the plates and bowls they use daily. But this approach leaves your hutch feeling empty most of the time, with awkward gaps that make it feel unfinished, so displaying unique and lesser-used pieces works best.
'I love using a kitchen hutch to display the pieces that feel a little more special: vintage crystal, heirloom china, pretty serving bowls, bar accessories, or linens you pull out when you're entertaining. I usually avoid styling it with everyday dishes that are constantly being used, because empty gaps in the shelves can make the whole display feel unfinished,' explains Cathryn.
But it's not just about ensuring the display always looks good. It's an opportunity to keep your special kitchenware somewhere you can see it every day, rather than being hidden away in a drawer. 'I encourage clients to choose unique and special items they love on display here. Items that spark stories and jog memories are firm favorites in my eyes,' Katy adds.
Bowls are a great way to store smaller items on your hutch tidily. This serving bowl has a striking sphere detail for more interest.
Follow Cathryn's lead with a horse sculpture styled alongside kitchenware. This design has a sturdy base, perfect for shelves.
Remember to add height to your hutch shelves for a more interesting display. This metal stand is a pretty and practical choice.
3. Pick a Subtle Color Scheme
If you have the space, a larger hutch like this one is a great way to create a focal point in an open-plan space.
If you're struggling to style your hutch in a way that feels effortless yet cohesive, opting for a subtle color scheme can help. 'Obviously, choosing colors that work together helps. I personally love yellows and blues together,' says interior designer Katy Cronk.
If you've chosen a traditional wooden hutch, the color scheme will apply to the items you choose to store here, but it can also incorporate the hutch itself for a more playful feel. In this design, Katy had painted the hutch a vibrant shade of yellow, pairing it with mainly blue-ware plates and servers, with a few cabbage-ware pieces. It feels bold and characterful but still with a sense of traditional style.
Even smaller pops of color have an impact. This set of two espresso cups is a great way to add a small pop of red to a hutch display.
Anthropologie's collection with Molly Yeh features plenty of colorful kitchenware for a hutch, like this tomato-themed pie dish.
If you prefer a more subtle approach, colored glassware is a chic way to add more vibrancy without feeling too bold.
A hutch is the perfect piece to bring charm and interest to your space. It balances functional storage with space for decorative displays, exactly the look this year's trends are championing. Styling a hutch doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, the less perfect, the better, as Katy explains. 'I think it’s great when dressers don’t look too perfect; I love an informal, characterful dresser that invites questions and interest.'
Love beautiful design ideas, expert advice, and inspiring decor trends? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.
