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There’s a good reason why popular website Pinterest is practically flooded with users sharing their best kitchen hutch ideas and projects for livening up their living space.
After all, the kitchen is more than just a place to cook food and do the dishes, it’s the very heart of the modern home.
Think about it:
These days, we’re all busier than ever, constantly rushing around, with interactions among our family members feeling like little more than the proverbial ships that pass in the night. Yet it’s often the kitchen more than any other space where the family eventually comes together to catch up, even if only fleetingly.
According to one survey, the kitchen and living room are the two rooms in the home that most American families value more than any other, and that includes their master bedroom.
Meanwhile, a second study carried out by the Lloyds Banking Group found that 31% of families spend more time in the kitchen than in any other room in the home.
So, if the kitchen really does play such a vital role in your home life, then it simply makes sense that you want to make that space as beautiful, and as functional as possible, freeing up as much space as you can to ensure you and your loved ones have plenty of room to hang out together, all while adding a certain aesthetic charm to your space.
This is where a good quality kitchen hutch can really help out.
Offering the perfect combination of flawless functionality and decor charm, the right hutch can make an incredible difference to any kitchen space.
So no, it doesn’t come as a surprise to us to see so many people scouring Pinterest in search of the best kitchen hutch ideas. Yet if you’re one of those people, what may come as a surprise is just how much a good hutch might cost.
Good quality kitchen furniture can set you back the better part of $100 or more. So, if you’re going to be making such a sizeable investment, then it pays to take the time to get it right and consider what kind of hutch is going to be best suited to your space.
That’s where we come in.
Whether you’re looking for practical project hutch decorating ideas for renovating your entire kitchen or simply hoping to hit upon some inspiration for a future purchase, we’ve put together our guide to the best kitchen and dining room hutch ideas for the modern kitchen.
Before we share all of that, however, let’s answer one very important question.
What Is A Kitchen Hutch?
Back in the days before there were ever such things as interior design or high-brand kitchen manufacturers, the family kitchen was a much simpler affair in which the humble hutch played an integral part.
Solid wood, sturdy and practical, it served as a one-size-fits-all solution for storing everything from the weekly food rations to the family’s priceless heirlooms.
These days, the hutch’s role as an undisputed essential has been greatly diminished, with designers focusing their efforts instead on built in hutch units and kitchen islands for storage and practicality.
Yet while hutches may not be as vital as they once were, they can still transform any room, freeing up limited space or serving as the focal point of the room.
They typically consist of a series of shelves or display cabinets built on top of a more practical set of drawers or cabinets, though as we’ll see later in this guide, the style and design can vary greatly.
Why Add A Hutch To Your Kitchen?
We’ve already briefly touched on some of the reasons why a hutch can make a great addition to your kitchen, but let’s look into each one in a bit more detail, shall we?
Make The Most Of Your Space In Smaller Kitchens
Kitchens and dining room may play a big part in the life of the modern family, but the truth is that smaller properties don’t really take this into account and will keep the kitchen size to a minimum in order to open up space elsewhere.
As such, you may find that you barely have enough room to store all of your groceries, crockery and other essentials, let alone gather around with the family.
A hutch can help with this by offering a neat, compact kitchen storage solution that frees up space.
Place your hutch flat against a wall, and make use of the different combinations of shelves, drawers, and cabinets which you could find offer the same amount of storage as larger items of furniture, giving you more space and, ultimately, more freedom.
Show Off Your Prized Collection
Kitchen hutches do much more than just offer a practical place to store thing, they can also serve as a beautiful focal point, adding a unique decorative beauty that really enhances the space.
You may choose to take this one step further by opting for a hutch with open shelves so that you can display your prized collection of cookbooks or antique ornaments.
Alternatively, why not opt for a version that has display cabinets with glass doors so that you can show off your beautiful fine china hutch without the risk of it getting damaged or dusty.
Beautiful Kitchen Hutch Display Ideas
Looking for a kitchen or dining room hutch that will allow you to show off your favorite collections or simply serve as a great talking point when you have guests over for dinner? The following two pieces might just do the trick.
Home Styles’ Baker’s Rack With Hutch
If aesthetic appeal matters more to you than storage space, you might love the very unique design of the oak hill distressed oak bakers rack with hutch by Home Styles.
Retailing for between $300 and $3500, the baker’s rack is built on a metal base with a stunning aged bronze finish and gold highlights, with three, draws finished in distressed oak.
OK, so it’s pretty pricy for something that doesn’t offer a great deal of storage, but there’s no denying that it would make a perfect addition to a traditional, classic, or farmhouse hutch kitchen design or even a dining room.
This is constructed of ash solids and oak veneers in a rich multi- step uniquely distressed Oak finish. Features include two utility drawers, large bottom drawer to provide ample storage area and a uniquely distressed finish.
Festnight Buffet Server Sideboard And Hutch
Of course, enjoying a beautiful design doesn’t mean you have to compromise on practicality.
This freestanding display cabinet with storage drawers certainly looks the part. Built-in a gorgeous Mexican Corona style, it features nine top compartments protected by glass doors, making it ideal for displaying dinnerware, ornaments or other fragile items while the bottom three drawers and three kitchen cabinets off an abundance of kitchen storage space.
This high-quality wooden sideboard is a piece of furniture in the Mexican 'Corona' style. The waxed pine exudes a rustic Mexican charm that will make the display cabinet a great addition to your living room.
Add An Authentic Feel To A Farmhouse Kitchen
Combining the latest technology and home automation elements with striking contemporary design, there’s a lot to be said for modern kitchens, but let’s face it:
They’re not everybody’s cup of tea.
Others prefer a style that boasts a certain air of tradition or nostalgia, taking them back to a simpler time, or even just offering a certain slice of the countryside in the heart of today’s busy modern world.
It’s for this reason that farmhouse kitchens are enjoying such a huge resurgence in popularity.
Think dark, oak floors, timber roof beams, and large apron sinks, and you’ve got some idea of the classic charm that a farmhouse hutch design offers.
Yet if you’ve gone with the farmhouse or traditional look and it feels as if there’s still something missing, a hutch may be just the thing.
As we mentioned earlier, these were once a quintessential part of the traditional kitchen, and adding one here can really make a big difference.
Farmhouse Kitchen Hutch Ideas
Stuck for inspiration when it comes to adding that timeless look to your kitchen space? These ideas may be just the thing.
Simple Living Farmhouse Buffet With Hutch
Though it may be smaller than many of the hutches you’ll see around, there’s something altogether quaint and enticing about this 58 x 36 x 16 buffet with hutch.
Adding a contemporary finish to a classic style, this is the perfect piece of furniture for kitchens where space is at a premium, allowing you to still get that authentic farmhouse feel even in a small kitchen.
Add country casual charm to your kitchen or dining room with the Farmhouse Buffet and Hutch by Simple Living. You'll be amazed at how much storage space you'll have to store cookware, dinnerware or pantry essentials.
Better Homes & Gardens Modern Farmhouse Storage Cabinet
Ok, so it’s a stretch to call this one a genuine hutch, but there’s something about the rustic gray finish and sliding, a barn-style door that we think would make it a great addition to any farmhouse kitchen.
Retailing from around $300, it contains a total of eight shelves for maximum storage, while the sliding door adds an extra layer of protection against dust and damage.
Assembled dimensions: 35.276" W x 18.031" D x 66.811" H. Sliding barn door, with 5 adjustable shelves.
What Is The Best Kind Of Kitchen Hutches?
In all honesty, there are probably as many different types of kitchen hutch as there are kitchen designs.
Here, we’ll look at some of the more popular options to help you find inspiration for your next project.
Contemporary Kitchen Hutch
We often tend to think of kitchen hutches as been somewhat old-fashioned, with a rustic, old-world feel about them. Still, that doesn’t mean that they have to look completely out of place in a 21st-century kitchen.
Contemporary designs can really add a lot of value to modern spaces in terms of both practicality and aesthetic appeal.
One of the best kitchen hutch ideas is to use gentle whites to help create a gentle, calming ambiance in the room, something which could be perfect to offset all that hectic rushing about.
Alternatively, look at strong colors such as bold blacks to make your hutch stand out and become a focal point.
Best Contemporary Kitchen Hutch Ideas
Contemporary hutches can come in a variety of styles, from those with minimalist design features to those which combine the benefits of modern design trends with traditional decoration.
These are just some of our favorites.
Homcom 67” Modern Freestanding Kitchen Buffet Storage Hutch
With a stylish black and oak finish, this sleek, freestanding hutch perfectly encapsulates what is we like so much about contemporary designs:
They take the needs of the modern kitchen user into consideration and build around them.
Retailing from around $250, this HOMCO model includes a dedicated hutch compartment suitable for storing most popular microwaves or other kitchen essentials like a juicer.
There are also four additional cubbies, two kitchen cabinets and three large drawers for ample storage.
Creating stylish storage space has never been easier than with HomCom 67" buffet cabinet with hutch. The modern design fits well with your existing home decor and can be used in the kitchen, pantry, closet, garage, or bathroom to create additional storage. 
Giantex Kitchen Hutch With Microwave Cabinet
Again, we love these modern hutches because they’re specifically designed for modern conveniences like the microwave, but there’s even more to this one.
With a minimalist white and oak finish, Giantex’s affordable, durable kitchen hutch also contains a one-shelf cabinet with glass doors for displaying your prized dinnerware or glassware, while the large cabinet at the bottom also comes with an interior shelf, making it great for storing pots, pans or other large items.
Featuring convenientuse and natural style, our Giantex microwave cart stand can perfectly meet yourkitchen storage needs. Microwave, toaster, electric cooker and other baking accessories can be put onthis cart but still within easy reach.
Contemporary Kitchen Hutch Pros
- Excellent modern design
- Ample storage without taking up a lot of room
- Multiple styles to fit any contemporary kitchen design
Contemporary Kitchen Hutch Cons
- Mass manufacturing means these aren’t as strong or durable as other types “
Antique Kitchen Hutch
Right at the opposite end of the spectrum, we find the antique kitchen hutch, an expertly crafted piece of furniture which serves just as much as a beautiful work of art as it does a practical storage solution.
Though usually more expensive than the kind of mass-produced, factory-built hutches you can pick up on Amazon or your local Ikea, a quality antique hutch really can add something extra special to your kitchen.
Typically hand-built by a master craftsman, the added care and attention means that not only do these types of hutches look stunning but also that they offer the peace of mind that comes from knowing they’re built to last.
Some of our favorite styles are provincial French and Victorian, both of which emphasize elegance and attention to detail, with graceful, hand-carved decorations adding a wonderful flourish to this otherwise functional furniture.
That said, with retro now very much en vogue, it isn’t unheard of for homeowners to look back to the 1950s, 60s, and 70s for a kitchen hutch that costs less than traditional antique hutches.
The latter style, in particular, can serve as the basis for an invigorating restoration project.
Where To Find Antique Kitchen Hutches
Though they may sell faux-antique style furniture, an authentic antique kitchen hutch isn’t the sort of thing you’re going to pick up from your average retailer.
Instead, you may want to book yourself a day out at your local antique fair, head out to stores that sell collectibles, or check out specialist retailers.
If you’re prepared to invest some serious time, you may even get lucky and stumble upon a piece of furniture for a great price at a local flea market. Again, these are the best places to look if you’re after a hutch you can do up as a restoration project.
Antique Kitchen Hutch Pros
- Beautiful appearance
- Add an authentic touch to a traditional-style kitchen
- Durable and built to last
- Unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that serve as a real talking point when you have guests over
Antique Kitchen Hutch Cons
- Can be more expensive than store-bought furniture
- Can look really out of place if you decide to renovate your kitchen with a modern design.
Craftsman-Style Kitchen Hutches
Craftsman or mission-style pieces are the best kitchen hutch option if you’re looking to perfectly balance the affordability and functionality of contemporary design with the beauty and quality craftsmanship of a genuine antique.
Though they may not be actually handcrafted, craftsman and mission-style hutches are purposely designed to look as if they are.
These designs have a certain rugged charm about them, so much so that even just to look at them, you can’t help but imagine a master woodworker heading out to the forest to fell his own coak tree then carve out every detail by hand.
This makes them an ideal fit for traditional or farmhouse kitchens, though it isn’t unheard of to find mission-style furniture that blends in well with a contemporary kitchen design.
Best Craftsman-Style Hutches
Looking for that winning combination of gorgeous design and top-level functionality? Home Style has two models that are just the ticket.
Home Styles Cottage Oak Buffet With Hutch
Available for around $330, Home Styles’ craftsman-style hutches really do look like the genuine article,e with a distressed cottage oak finish and natural wood that makes it a wonderful addition to any type of kitchen.
We particularly like the fact that even though it looks hand-built and comes with all the strength and durability that you’d get with a hand-built piece, it’s still very kit furniture.
This is a good thing because it makes transporting and putting the whole thing together with a breeze.
We particularly like the style of the cabinet doors and the fact that the multiple drawers and interior shelves offer lots of opportunities to store all manner of kitchen essentials.
Make your kitchen look even more luxurious with the elegance and versatility that the buffet of buffets Cottage Oak hutch with natural wood top by Home Styles delivers. This innovative buffet comes with a rustic styling and offers plenty of space for dining or kitchen items.
Home Styles Cottage Oak Buffet And Hutch With Wine Rack
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this is just a larger and more expensive version of the previous model, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a mention.
For the extra $90+ (this one clock in around $420), you gt an extra drawer, wine rack, and shelf, with a wider natural wood top that you can use either as a display or a functional workspace.
Craftsman-Style Kitchen Hutch Pros
- Great look
- Affordable price.
Craftsman-Style Kitchen Hutch Pros
- Typically bigger than other types of the hutch and might take up a lot of space.
How To Choose The Best Hutch For Your Kitchen
While having a lot of options at your disposal might be great, it does make picking the right hutch for your kitchen a much more time-consuming, if not complicated endeavor.
Thankfully, there is a way to make the whole process that much easier.
Here, we look at some of the things that may help you narrow down your options when picking furniture that’s best suited to your kitchen.
Size
We’ve talked a lot about space today, so it goes without saying that when it comes to picking the perfect kitchen hutch, size matters.
Before you go shopping, take out a tape measure and head out into your kitchen. Think about where you’d ideally like to put your hutch and measure the space available.
Now that you’ve done that, think about how much stuff you want to store in your new furniture as that will determine the size of the cabinets you’re going to need.
Price
Though it goes without saying that price is always going to be a factor in any purchasing decision you make, what we’re specifically talking about here is how the amount that you pay is largely determined by the style, and occasionally the brand that you buy.
Sure, you’d love to have an authentic, French-style antique hutch take pride of place in your kitchen. Realistically, however, those pieces of furniture come with a pretty hefty price tag.
So, if you’re dealing with a more modest budget, then a contemporary or craftsman-style may be more up your street. Sure, you forgo the unique individuality that you’d get with a one-of-a-kind antique, but you also forgo spending a small fortune.
Style
Some people do prefer a somewhat eclectic array of furniture in their home, most of us enjoy it when everything blends together to create one ideal theme, don’t we?
So, with that in mind, it makes sense to look out for kitchen hutches that are going to fit in with the style of your kitchen space.
If you’ve got a modern, contemporary kitchen, then an antique kitchen hutch may be somewhat jarring, though it may be possible to find a mission-style piece that perfectly complements the rest of the room.
Of course, now might be a good time to consider a complete kitchen renovation project.
In that case, you can take the time to look around, draw inspiration for a whole new look, and consider what kind of furniture is going to be best suited to it.
In-built vs. Freestanding
We’ve mostly looked at freestanding kitchen hubs in our guide today, and there’s a good reason for that:
Freestanding options offer a lot of flexibility. Since they’re typically not bolted down, they can be moved around with relative ease if you decide you don’t like its current position, or if you decide to completely renovate your kitchen space.
They’re also pretty straight forward to assemble. Delivered to your door, you unpack, put it together, and you’re done.
An in-built hutch, however, requires a little more planning. Since it’s literally fitted into the rest of your kitchen unit, this requires a lot more work to put it in place and then, once it’s in, there’s no moving it around.
It’s for this reason that you might be better off sticking with a freestanding model. Unless, of course, you’re planning to renovate your entire kitchen.
On the plus side, in-built models do tend to take up less space, which may well make it a better option in small kitchen.
Practical vs. Decorative
Here’s the big one.
Think about what it is you’ll actually be using your kitchen hut for, as this is largely going to determine which model you buy.
if storage space is a top priority for you, then you’ll want something that’s practical and functional. Here, hutches with plenty of drawers, cabinets and shelving spaces will be what you need to focus your attention on.
However, if you’re more concerned with showing off your fine china cabinet or other collectibles, then your priorities will be slightly different.
Here, you’ll be looking at options with glass doors to protect your valuables while still displaying them.
Or maybe you need more shelves for your ornaments. Either way, the good thing about using a hutch more for decorative purposes is that you get to put aesthetics before practicality and choose a really unique style.
Shelves vs. Glass Cabinets
If you’re using your hutch solely for practical purposes, then this isn’t going to be much of an issue.
If you’re looking at displaying your china cabinet or glassware on the other hand, then the kind of design features you look for will be vitally important.
Bear in mind that while glass doors can prevent your valuables from collecting dust and -to an extent- from getting damaged, they also require much more cleaning, polishing, and general maintenance.
If you opt for open-shelves on the other hand, then your items are a lot more accessible, but also more likely to gather dust.
Display Features And Design Options
Sticking with the subject of displaying your prized collections, it’s worth pointing out that some hutches will come with special design features that make this much easier.
If you’re planning to show off those beautiful plates you’ve been collecting for years, then you might want to explore hutch options that come with specially designed slots for keeping those plates upright.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to show off your figurines or collectibles, then you could consider an option with a mirrored back that helps you to see your favorite pieces from all angles.
Frequently Asked Questions
A hutch is a type of furniture which is displayed in the kitchen that consists of shelves or cabinets with a counter and either drawers or cabinets.
Having a hutch in your kitchen is always a good decision for your overall kitchen interior. Not only is it great for improving your storage space, but it can also be the last piece of the jigsaw for your dream kitchen if it matches your theme for visual display.
Hutches are used in the kitchen and dining rooms. They are meant for storing essential accessories and are a great piece to improve your kitchen space.
The kitchen hutch should be used to store everyday items like plates, mugs, salt and pepper shakers, pitchers, etc. to make preparing the dining table task simple and easy.
You can display items that represent your family heirlooms, trophies, flowers, family photos or other decorating pieces that will fit your kitchen theme.
Hutch Projects: Breathing New Life Into An Old Hutch
Last but by no means least, let’s take a few moments to share some unique hutch decorating ideas for hutch renovation DIY projects.
After all, it may be that you already have a hutch in your home but for whatever reason, it simply doesn’t bring you the joy it once did.
Or maybe you’re looking to save money by purchasing an old, second-hand hutch and giving it some tender loving care.
Whatever the case may be, the good news is that there are lots of ways that you transform any old piece of furniture into a practical, beautiful part of your home.
One of the easiest ways to do this is simply by adding a mirror to the back of a display cabinet or open shelving space.
This is particularly a good idea if you’re using your hutch to show off your prized collections, though it can work just as well as a decorative feature.
Speaking of which, one of our favorite options for hutch renovations is to build lights into the display cabinets to create a certain ambiance or simply help show off those collectibles even more.
If you have a cabinet that you aren’t particularly using, then you might want to think about how you can replace it with something more useful.
You could, for example, take out the cabinet door, remove the shelf, and then replace it with a wine rack.
For a more advanced project, you could even take out one of the doors to the upper cabinet. You can also add in a TV or display monitor for controlling your smart home automation devices.
Of course, you always have a lot of options for painting or wood standing.
For the best results, remove any existing paint by sanding the whole thing down, then apply a primer before finally painting.
A foam roller may be easiest, but there’s something about taking the time to do it by hand that creates an altogether beautiful finish for your hutch.
Looking for more inspiration for your kitchen? You may enjoy our guide to the very best basement kitchen ideas. Alternatively, why not check out our look at five unique kitchen desk ideas and inspiration?
