4 Ways To Repurpose Your Old Kitchen Hutch Into A Modern, Functional Storage Unit

Kitchen hutches were all the rage in the '80s and '90s, but their history can be traced back to as early as the 18th century. People relied on their storage capacity for cooking tools and accessories, while the open counter served as a work area where dishes were prepped. Their shelves, fronted with glass doors, were often used for display. That's where prized dinnerware and expensive utensils would go as a way to highlight their extravagance.  

Many modern homes may have abandoned the use of kitchen hutches, but they remain a functional piece of furniture. Rather than throwing them out and purchasing the latest sleek storage space, a quick makeover might make them worth saving. Their open shelves and spacious compartments can do wonders, after all, and there are many ways to take them beyond their outdated use and design. For instance, making them a place to put all your cookbooks can breathe new life into the furniture, minimizing the overwhelming sights of a cluttered space and adding the convenience of having them right in your kitchen.

Whether you have a china collection worth displaying or an assortment of funky ceramics you hoarded from your travels, all of that can go into a repurposed kitchen hutch. Not only will it help secure your fragile dinnerware, but it also boosts the aesthetic appeal of your lovely kitchen for when you have guests over. After all, what's the use of stylish plates and homeware if it stays hidden in the confines of your cupboard?

Instead of crowding your bookshelves with your vast collection of the best baking cookbooks, you can have a dedicated space for them in your kitchen hutch. It provides easy access to all your favorite recipes, even those you know by heart, so that the moment you forget a step, you can swiftly pull out the essential text — without letting your dish burn.

Much like ceramics, a collection of liquor is meant to be displayed, especially if you've been fortunate (and affluent!) enough to snag a bottle of something like Eagle Rare 17. It's usually best to have a variety of spirits on hand, including gin, vodka, whiskey, rum, and tequila. Whatever your liquor arsenal looks like, you should also add some stylish barware to the hutch, along with other essentials like shelf-stable cocktail mixers and garnishes.

Perhaps your espresso machine is taking up too much space on your kitchen counter, which you can use for prepping your dishes instead. So, why not create a dedicated area for your little home cafe with a kitchen hutch? You can store all your coffee-making essentials there, including a coffee grinder, beans, milk frother, and your extensive coffee mug collection, of course.