A small kitchen hutch can be a great way to add extra storage and display space to a compact kitchen. With some savvy style and organizational tricks, even the tiniest kitchen nook can house a hutch that is both functional and charming. Here is an in-depth look at how to make the most of a small kitchen hutch.
What to Consider When Choosing a Small Kitchen Hutch
Picking the right hutch for a small kitchen requires some careful thought. Here are some key considerations:
Size
Take measurements of the space you want to put the hutch in. Be sure to account for doorway or corridor widths too. Opt for a hutch that fits the space well without overwhelming it. Vertical hutches have a narrower footprint and are great small kitchen hutch choices.
Style
Small kitchens do well with hutches that have an open or airy style. Glass doors, shelves, and tops allow light to filter through. Well-placed display pieces also keep the hutch from feeling too imposing. Avoid bulkier styles that could make the room feel crowded.
Organization Features
Look for a hutch that can smartly corral all your kitchen supplies. This includes storage options like shelves, cabinets, drawers, and nooks for organizing everything from dishes to spices. Features like pull-out surfaces and interior organization systems help maximize space.
Accessibility
Think about how you will access and use the hutch. Look for features like pull-out shelves, interior lights, and easy-to-reach storage areas. Avoid deep cabinets that require reaching in. Also make sure the hutch is situated in a space you can conveniently access.
Hutch Placement Tips for Small Kitchens
Placing a hutch strategically in your compact kitchen is key to making it work. Here are some of the best small kitchen hutch placement tips:
Near Main Work Areas
Position your small kitchen hutch within easy reach of where you cook, wash dishes, or do other kitchen tasks. This allows you to easily access the items you store in it while working. Just be sure it is not so close that it impedes your movement.
On Free Wall Space
Look for any empty wall space you can place a vertical hutch against. Even an awkward corner works with the right angled hutch. This is often the best use of space in a small kitchen. Just avoid blocking doors and walkways.
Near Dining Space
A hutch can help blend kitchen and dining spaces in an open concept home. Place one near the edge of the kitchen to bridge the two areas with extra storage and display space.
Anchor Your Design
Use a thoughtfully placed hutch as an anchor point for your overall kitchen design. It can establish the tone for the room and pull the whole space together. Just be sure it does not make the room feel too cramped.
Consider Sightlines
Look at lines of sight when choosing a hutch spot. You do not want it to block views or light from windows. Avoid placements that make the kitchen feel closed off.
Ideas for Using a Small Kitchen Hutch
Once you have picked the perfect small kitchen hutch, it is time to put it to use. Here are some great ideas for utilizing one in a compact kitchen:
Dish Storage
Use your hutch for storing dishes, bowls, mugs, glassware and more. Mix open shelving and closed cabinetry. Add dish organizers to maximize space. Put items you use most on the most accessible shelves.
Food Storage Solutions
A hutch offers smart storage for food staples and appliances. Stash dried goods in pull out drawers. Dedicate a cabinet for small appliances to free up counter space. Use deep drawers for pots and pans.
Kitchen Linens & Towels
Roll up kitchen linens tightly and store them in a narrow hutch cabinet. Add hooks on the back of cabinet doors to hang dish towels neatly. Use a hutch to hide small appliances too.
Display Your Favorite Pieces
Make the most of hutch tops, nooks, and shelves to display cherished kitchen items. Show off heirloom dishes or a vintage cake stand elegantly. Just avoid cluttering the space.
Spice Organization Central
Bring order to a jumbled spice collection with a hutch. Use designated drawers or even repurposed baby food racks to neatly arrange spice jars. Keep go-to seasonings on easy access shelves.
Coffee & Tea Station
Designate part of your small kitchen hutch as a coffee bar. Store mugs, electric kettles, coffee makers and tea tins in one spot. Add a tray for sugar, spoons and creamer.
Conceal Clutter
Hide away kitchen clutter like plastic containers, oversized utensils, and bulky appliances in a hutch. Use baskets or bins to corral items and keep the space tidy. Closed cabinets allow you to tuck mess neatly out of sight.
Craft & Hobby Storage
For avid crafters and hobbyists, a hutch offers smart storage potential. Stash crafting materials and supplies in designated drawers and shelves. You can neatly contain everything in one go-to spot.
Extend Kitchen Work Space
Look for hutches with a flip-up work shelf or slide out surfaces. Use the extended space for food prep tasks like rolling dough or arranging serving trays. Then tuck it away when not in use.
Kids’ Activity Center
Give kids their own accessible hutch space for arts, crafts and learning. Set it up with storage for supplies, paper and paint. Add a magnetic board for displaying their creations front and center.
Hutch Accessories to Maximize Small Kitchen Spaces
The right organizational accessories can make your small kitchen hutch even more functional. Consider incorporating features like:
- Pull-out shelves and surfaces to access hard-to-reach spaces.
- Spice racks and removable baby food storage organizers to neatly arrange spices and food.
- Drawer organizers and divided bins help separate and arrange supplies.
- Vertical paper towel holders, foil dispensers and plastic wrap caddies save space.
- Cabinet door racks provide extra storage for cutting boards, trays and pans.
- swinging bar for towels help keep counters tidy.
- Tiered dish racks double dish drying space.
- Drawer dividers customize spaces for utensils, serving ware and other items.
- Rack rails allow you to hang mugs, utensils and more with S-hooks.
- Lazy susans in corner cabinets spin items within easy reach.
Small Kitchen Hutch Styles
While a small kitchen hutch always prioritizes function, it can still impart unique style. Here are some top small kitchen hutch design styles to consider:
Farmhouse
Embrace the charm of vintage farmhouse style with a repurposed hutch made of salvaged wood. Distressed paint suits the casual vibe. Open shelving showcases ceramics and accent pieces.
Modern
Sleek and contemporary hutches have an unfussy look that suits modern kitchens. Metallic finishes, glass doors, and integrated handles keep the aesthetic minimalist. LED lighting illuminates displays.
Rustic
Rustic hutches made of reclaimed woods add natural flair. Barn door style cabinetry and exposed grains allow for an earthy look. Woven baskets suit the low-key storage.
Industrial
Industrial style utilizes steel, iron accents, and a neutral palette for a warehouse vibe. Pipe shelving, metal doors, and exposed hardware details complement the utilitarian materials.
Coastal
For laidback seaside charm, look for hutches with breezy elements like woven doors, driftwood details, and pastel hues. Display beachy accents like shells and seaglass up top.
Traditional
Carved detailing, crown molding accents, and an elegant muted color palette define the traditional hutch look. Glass fronts and ornate hardware suit the refined style.
Eclectic
Make your hutch distinctly yours with an eclectic mix of colors, materials, and accessories. Mismatched knobs, woven baskets, and unique display pieces exude quirky charm.
Helpful Tips for Using a Hutch in a Small Kitchen
Here are some top tips for making the most of a small kitchen hutch:
- Opt for see-through storage like glass cabinets to keep the space feeling open.
- Incorporate mirrors or reflective surfaces to add light and the illusion of more room.
- Keep your hutch organized and free of clutter so it does not feel overly busy.
- Add slim organizational items like spice racks and pan lids racks vertically to conserve space.
- Use lightweight organizational bins so you can lift and access contents easily.
- Store lesser-used items on top shelves or higher cabinets. Save prime real estate for everyday essentials.
- Remove hutch doors and install fabric curtains for an airier look in tight spaces.
- Edit down your dishware to pieces you love and use most to avoid cramming your hutch.
- Add touch lights, motion lights or battery operated lights inside cabinets to easily see contents.
- Stage some decorative objects like vases, trays or baskets on top to personalize the space.
Answering Common Hutch Concerns for Small Kitchens
If you are on the fence about adding a hutch to your petite kitchen, here are answers to some common concerns:
Is a hutch practical for a small kitchen?
Yes, a hutch adds function by providing smart vertical storage for dishes, food items and appliances you may otherwise have no space for. The trick is choosing a well-sized and well-placed hutch.
Won’t a hutch make my small kitchen feel crowded?
Not if you choose the right scaled hutch and allow for proper traffic flow around it. Opt for an open, airy hutch style and avoid cluttering it. Proper placement also prevents it from feeling too imposing.
Should I put a hutch in my small galley kitchen?
Yes, a slim hutch is actually ideal for a galley kitchen’s confined footprint. Opt for a vertically oriented one that does not take up much floor space. Position it carefully to avoid congesting the room’s main thoroughfare.
Are hutches outdated for contemporary kitchens?
While hutches can skew traditional, there are plenty of sleek, contemporary styles suitable for modern kitchens. Metal finishes, glass materials, and integrated lighting keep the look up-to-date.
Can I put a hutch in my apartment kitchen?
In many cases, yes. Just be sure your landlord okays it and that you choose a size and style permitted by your lease. Freestanding vertical hutches are ideal. You can also look for hutches that attach directly to walls without requiring drilling.
Recommendations for Small Kitchen Hutches
Here are some stellar small kitchen hutch choices that combine space-smart storage with appealing design aesthetics:
Trent Austin Design Hartington Kitchen Hutch
This charming vertical hutch has a versatile farmhouse look that suits many kitchen designs. Two glass front cabinets and three drawers provide concealed storage. Open shelving offers easy-access space for dishes and decor.
Homepage Locust Street Kitchen Cart with Hutch
This compact hutch on lockable caster wheels has flexible placement options. It offers both open and closed storage space behind latched doors. The stainless steel surface works as a side prep space.
Ebern Designs Delicia Kitchen Cart with Wood Top
Perfect for small kitchens, this slim hutch cart has a butcher block top for added workspace. Two cabinet doors conceal interior storage while wine glass racks and towels hooks on the sides maximize space.
Winston Porter Ambrosia Kitchen Hutch
The white finish keeps this cottage-style hutch looking light and airy. Glazed glass door cabinets and drawer provide ample closed storage while open shelves show off tableware.
Williston Forge Circe Kitchen Cart with Wood Top
This metal and wood hutch cart brings industrial flair to any kitchen. It has storage drawers, cabinets hooks, and a butcher block top that doubles as a prep surface or breakfast bar.
Mistana Circe Rustic Solid Wood Kitchen Cart
With its charming cottage look, this petite hutch fits nicely in cozy kitchens. The wire mesh cabinet doors have a breezy feel while interior shelves corral essentials neatly.
George Oliver Eastep Cottage Kitchen Hutch Cart
Ideal for small spaces, this dainty white hutch has a tabletop and interior storage shelves accessed by two mesh doors. The compact footprint tucks perfectly into tiny kitchens.
Maximizing Your Small Kitchen Hutch
With some smart organizational tools and styling tricks, even the tiniest kitchen hutch can be an invaluable addition to a petite cooking space. Use the hutch to stow away seldom-used items and bulky appliances so your counters remain clutter-free. Take advantage of every inch of storage space with racks, organizers and trays tailored to your kitchenware. Keep the contents edited down to the essentials you use and love daily. The right small kitchen hutch helps consolidate items in a compact footprint so you can make the most of your available space. With a little creativity, it can transform the way you cook, entertain and live in your kitchen.
