Kitchen, bedroom... wall, floor, door... interior, exterior... indoor, outdoor...

What Do I Need to Know About China Hutch?





In search of something that will complete your china room? We have compiled a list of our top 12 favorite hutches to make your quest as simple as possible!

1) Home Style 5180-697 Buffet and Hutch | 2) RUSTIC LARGE 2 PC CHINA | 3) Crafters and Weavers Arts China Cabinet | 4) Black Server Hutch Large | 5) Homestar Glass Cabinet | 6) Sunny Designs Vineyard Hutch/Buffet | 7) Altra Aaron Lane Bookcase | 8) Coaster Solid Wood Glass Corner China Cabinet | 9) Coaster Home Furnishings Cabinet | 10) D-ART COLLECTION Mahogany Bookcase | 11) Vintage Corner Cabinet | 12) Home Styles 5001-0021-12 Buffet |

China cabinets are an elegant way to showcase your valuable chinaware and crystal, while protecting them from dust and other potentially harmful environmental hazards (including curious little fingers).

Since they come in a wide range of sizes, styles and types, the best thing to do before purchasing one is to consider what you want to use the china cabinet for, what features you want the cabinet to have and how much space is available. Once you’ve considered these three factors, you will be ready to find the ideal china cabinet that will meet all of your requirements.

Before You Begin

One type of cabinet for storing china or collectibles might appear much like any other type. While this is mostly true, there are some important distinctions between curio cabinets and china cabinets.

Typically a china cabinet has enclosed sides, since it is intended to display dishes from a front or surface view. On the other hand, curio cabinets are designed to hold china figurines or other types of collectibles and characteristically have glass sides and a mirrored back so that the decorative detail of each item can be seen from all sides.

Decide what you will predominantly use the china cabinet for. If you intend to display and store your grandmother’s china she brought over from the Old Country, a cabinet with a mirrored back is a great way to show off the pieces to their best advantage. If you would like a place of honor for your Hummel figurine collection, maybe a curio cabinet will be a better choice.

Since china cabinets are available in a wide range of sizes, take stock. Have an idea of how small or large your collection is before you go shopping. Are you storing a ten place setting china set with accompanying serving dishes and plates?

If you are still adding pieces to the dinner set you will be storing in the cabinet, make allowances for future growth. Or will you be using the china cabinet for a number of smaller dish sets, such as a tea set or demi-tasse collection? If you intend to use the cabinet for glassware as well as china, select a cabinet with adjustable shelves.

Decide where the china cabinet will go, then measure the available space. You don’t want to get your new cabinet home only to find it won’t fit.

Since you will most likely be purchasing a china cabinet for a room that has already been furnished, determine the style of the décor and match the new cabinet accordingly.

Other Helpful Hints

Particualarly if you will be using the china cabinet to store odd-shaped or oversized items, check the interior dimensions of the cabinet before making a final purchase. A cabinet might appear to be spacious on the outside but might not have as much usable space on the inside.

After assembling the shelves, make sure that the brackets fit tightly and the shelves are secure, before you place your collectibles inside.

Don’t stuff as many items as possible on each shelf. You want to display your valuable possessions so that each one can be seen and appreciated.

Especially if you have your eye on a traditonal style china cabinet with a broken pediment or other fancy ornamentation, consider the ceiling height of the room you are buying the cabinet for. You want to make sure that a tall china cabinet will fit, both vertically and horizontally.

If you intend on purchasing a china cabinet with interior lighting, make sure that the space you allotted for the cabinet is near a power source.


Photo Gallery of the What Do I Need to Know About China Hutch?