Organization is the key to a well-balanced home, which is why it's so important to have the right storage methods in place for decor, dinnerware, and other household essentials. One way to get organized and check off all the storage boxes on your list is by adding a multipurpose hutch to your home. But what is a hutch and why do you need one? Keep reading to learn more.

What Is a Hutch?
Hutch Cabinets vs. Other Storage Methods
The Best Ways to Use a Hutch

What Is a Hutch?

A hutch is a type of storage furniture that uses spacious cabinets, drawers, and shelving to increase storage and display space while also acting as a stunning furniture piece. Traditionally, hutches have a bottom unit of cabinets and an overhead shelving unit separated by a tabletop or countertop surface. The shelving and countertop portions are designed to store and display fine china and dinnerware sets while the bottom cabinet portion serves as an overflow space for extra table linens and everyday dinnerware items. However, hutches come in a variety of other designs to fulfill different storage needs. Some include a cabinet unit on both the top and bottom with a countertop or desktop space between, while others incorporate wine bottle racks or glass holders.

What Is a Hutch Cabinet?

A hutch cabinet or dining hutch is a piece of storage furniture that has cabinets and/or drawers on the bottom and shelving and/or drawers on the top. This is the classic design when you think of a hutch. This type of hutch is typically used to store and display dinnerware collections, glassware, books, or decor. It can even act as storage for dry food goods and other pantry items, and the tabletop surface can house small kitchen appliances. The possibilities are endless!

What Is a Hutch Desk?

A hutch desk is a different take on the classic hutch cabinet. It combines a standard desk or a desk with built-in cabinets/drawers with a top unit of shelving, cabinets, drawers, or all three! Depending on the design, some desks might have removable hutches (like the one pictured above), while larger top units are actually attached to the desk to ensure safety. The main goal is to optimize your desktop storage without overcrowding your workspace. This way, you can store office supplies, chargers, and other must-haves up and out of the way as you work!

Hutch Cabinets vs. Other Storage Methods

Now that you have a hutch definition, let's go over its similarities to other storage and display furniture to help you decide on the best option. Below, we discuss the key differences between hutches and china cabinets and credenzas and sideboards.

Hutch vs. China Cabinets

Hutches and china cabinets are very similar because they both offer storage for chinaware, decor, and items you want to put on display. In many ways, they also look similar. However, china cabinets tend to have glass cabinets so that you can display and store chinaware in a safe place. Hutches can have glass cabinets but they're more likely to have solid wood cabinets or open-work shelving. Hutches are also designed to have a lower storage unit and upper storage unit with a tabletop surface in the middle, whereas most china cabinets have a continuous set of shelving from top to bottom to allow for as much storage and display space as possible.

Hutch vs. Credenzas & Sideboards

The main differences between a storage hutch and a sideboard/credenza is appearance and storage space. Hutches are typically tall and wide, allowing for a lot more potential storage and display space. Credenzas, sideboards, and buffets are designed to be short and long with spacious tabletop space to display food, drinks, and dinnerware. The portion beneath a sideboard/credenza’s table top resembles the bottom units of hutch furniture because they have cabinets and drawers for storage. Review our guides, What Is a Sideboard? The Ultimate Dining Room Addition and What Is a Credenza? to learn more about these two furniture options.

The Best Ways to Use a Hutch

What is a hutch used for? Below, we've outlined a variety of ways you can use a hutch throughout your home to help you get inspired:

• As an extension of your kitchen: Incorporate a hutch with upper and lower cabinets (like the one pictured above) to add even more storage cabinets and countertop space. This is a great way to get the look and convenience of kitchen cabinets and countertops without doing a full remodel!
• As overflow pantry space: Turn your hutch into a pantry or use it as a space to store extra food and drinks. This is a great place to store large quantities of grains and other dried goods that have a long shelf life but aren't used often.
• As dining room storage: Use a dining room hutch to put chinaware on display and tuck away excess dinnerware, flatware, tablecloths, and napkins in cabinets/drawers.
• As a bookcase: Use a hutch as a bookcase in your home office and store files or important documents in the bottom cabinets.
• As a convenient work station: Organize office supplies, paperwork, and other essentials with a hutch-style desk for your home office or study space.
• As a home bar: Create a home bar in the corner of your living room or dining room with a hutch that has wine bottle racks and glass holders.
• As a houseplant haven: Line hutch shelves with your prized houseplants and store extra pots, soil, fertilizer, and seed-starting materials in cabinets or drawers.
• As a crafting corner: Store yarn, fabric, and sewing supplies in a hutch. Display your sewing machine on the tabletop and line open shelving with bundles of yarn.
• As a guest bedroom coffee station: Design a kitchenette in a guest bedroom using a hutch. Put a coffee maker and coffee essentials on the table surface. You can even put a mini fridge next to the coffee maker to store refrigerated creamer. Display snacks on shelves or in glass cabinets to make guests feel at home.

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