How to Choose the Right Kitchen Hutch
A kitchen hutch brings together storage, style, and substance. Whether you need extra cabinet space, a place to show off family dishes, or a way to organize your busy kitchen, the right hutch can elevate your space and serve your needs for decades, especially when handcrafted from solid wood.
In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best hutch for your kitchen by walking through the key decisions: what to store, how much space you have, and which style fits your home.\
Table of Contents
What Is a Kitchen Hutch?
A kitchen hutch is a freestanding cabinet with upper and lower storage areas. Traditionally used to hold dishes and dry goods, today’s hutches do much more.
A typical hutch includes:
- A lower cabinet with drawers and doors for hidden storage
- An upper section with open shelves or glass doors
- Solid wood craftsmanship for lasting durability
While often used in dining rooms, a kitchen hutch is just as functional, adding organization, display space, and even an extra counter surface. It may become the spot for your mail, favorite mug, or that holiday garland in December. A hardworking hutch adapts to your routines.
And when it’s Amish-made, you’ll notice the difference in quality, longevity, and craftsmanship.
1. Take Inventory: What Will You Store?
Dishes, bakeware, linens, serving utensils—yes, there’s room for it all. Kitchen hutches come in all shapes and sizes with a variety of storage spaces. Take inventory of what needs to go in your hutch so you can choose accordingly. What kind of drawer, cabinet, and shelf combinations do you need to accommodate your items? What do you need to retrieve quickly, and what do you want to tuck away for occasional use?
2. Open vs. Closed Storage: Which Is Right for You?
The main reason closed storage gets a gold star is because it prevents dust build up on the items in your hutch. On the flip side, open storage reminds you of the nice things you have, making you more likely to use them instead of forgetting that they’re tucked in the bottom cabinet behind the ice bucket.
Think about the items that will go in your hutch and what it will take to maintain them in open storage. How often will you be using items you plan to store? Open storage makes them easy to grab, but there will be more dusting involved. Closed storage also adds an extra layer of protection for items.
Closed storage protects items from dust and creates a tidy appearance.
Open storage keeps items visible and easy to grab—but requires more upkeep.
Choose based on what you’re storing and how often you’ll use it.
3. Measure Your Space
One of the most important things to think about ahead of time is your kitchen hutch measurements. A substantial piece of furniture, you want to be sure there’s enough room for your hutch and for you to use it comfortably. Know the ceiling height of your kitchen to be sure your hutch will fit. Measure the depth and width of the space where you plan to position your hutch. Account for that space if you plan to display something on top of your hutch. Remember, if the hutch style has certain features or parts that stick out, you must account for the space they will take up. Note outlets, switches, and artwork you don’t want to cover with your hutch.
Kitchen hutches are substantial pieces of furniture. Measuring correctly is key.
- Height: Know your ceiling clearance—many hutches reach 80″–84″ tall
- Width & Depth: Measure your wall space carefully, including door swing
- Extra space: Account for decor on top or clearance needed for walkways
- Corners: A corner hutch can be perfect for small kitchens, but check both wall lengths
Example: The Amish Queen Anne Court Full Door Hutch stands 84″ high—measure your ceiling and trim before ordering.
If you have a smaller kitchen or are limited on space, don’t forget a corner kitchen hutch offers a more compact fit. Measure the corner space to be sure your selection will fit.
4. Match the Hutch Style to Your Home
While kitchen hutches in farmhouse and rustic country styles are popular, explore your style options as you shop. There are a variety of Amish-made kitchen hutches available in a wide range of styles, including contemporary, formal, French country, mission, and transitional (a combination of contemporary and traditional).
Amish kitchen hutches are available in many styles beyond rustic or country.
Popular choices include:
- Farmhouse: Open shelving, distressed finishes
- Mission: Straight lines, wood slats
- Shaker: Simple, clean, versatile
- French Country: Curved details, antique finishes
- Transitional: A blend of modern and traditional elements
Example: The Amish Arts and Crafts Hutch brings traditional charm with clean lines.
5. Choose the Right Features
Are you looking for a practical, hardworking, nice-looking hutch, or are you looking for more of a style piece to display collections? Will you grab a coffee mug and plate from your hutch every morning, or turn on the inner light to showcase fine china? Think about what items you want to display and what you need serious storage space for.
You’ll enjoy a hutch with plate grooves to display plates. Features like a mirrored back and glass doors are perfect for a hutch showing some collectibles. Lighting is a big one too. And finally, adjustable shelves offer the versatility you’re looking for when you’re ready to change up your hutch display or tuck away other items not previously stored.
Think about how you’ll use the hutch daily and which extras make life easier or more beautiful.
Helpful features to consider:
- Touch lighting for glass displays
- Plate grooves for decorative dishes
- Mirrored backs or glass shelves
- Adjustable shelving for flexible storage
- Soft-close drawers or dovetailed joints
Example: The Amish Tribecca Hutch offers modern lines with practical, customizable storage.
6. Select Your Wood and Finish
At DutchCrafters, all our hutches are made to order by Amish woodworkers. You’ll choose from premium American hardwoods.
Conclusion
A kitchen hutch should work as hard as you do, organizing your essentials while complementing your style. From closed storage to glass displays, from corner solutions to spacious statement pieces, there’s a handcrafted option for every kitchen.
Let Amish craftsmanship do the heavy lifting. Your hutch can become a part of daily life and your story.
FAQs About Kitchen Hutches
Can I use a dining hutch in the kitchen?
Yes! Just make sure the size and storage configuration work for your kitchen needs.
What’s the difference between a hutch and a sideboard?
A hutch includes an upper cabinet or shelf section; a sideboard is typically just the lower portion.
Do DutchCrafters hutches come assembled?
Most hutches ship in two pieces (top and bottom) and are assembled on-site with minimal effort.
What’s the standard depth of a kitchen hutch?
Most measure between 18″ and 21″ deep, but custom depths are available.
More Resources for Dining and Kitchen Hutches
- Buffet vs. Sideboard vs. Hutches
- 5 Ways to Organize a Corner Hutch
- Amish-Made Arched Cabinets
- Shop Dining and Kitchen Hutches
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