The ’90s Hutch Trend Is Back, and We Never Want It to Leave Again

Hutches are a great addition to every home. Don’t believe us? Let these ideas prove it to you.

Like so many trends, the ’90s hutch trend is popping up on our social media feeds and making its way back into homes. With the resurgence of the hutch, we’re left wondering why hutches ever went out of style in the first place: Not only do they provide ample storage space, but hutches can also be easily transformed to serve many different purposes around the house. So (steps onto soap box), here’s why we’re obsessing over hutches—and why you should be, too.

Related: ’90s Home Decor Trends That Are Back in Style

What Is a Hutch?

A hutch is a piece of furniture made from two parts stacked on top of each other. Typically, the top piece features a set of shelves, and the lower piece has a countertop and cabinets or drawers. Hutches have been a staple in homes throughout history. Traditionally, hutches have been kept in the kitchen to add extra space in smaller homes or in the dining room to display dishware.

While they have been used throughout history, hutches gained popularity in the late 20th century, namely during the ’80s and ’90s. And like most trends, after a few decades of unpopularity, the hutch trend is coming back around, and we hope it never goes out again.

How to Use a Hutch

A giant, wooden cabinet holding all of your family’s fancy china; a spot to create a sprawling buffet for friends and family on holidays; an antique that you inherited from your loved ones—a hutch can be all of these things. But the beauty of a good quality hutch is its versatility and durability. If you invest in a solid wood hutch, it will last years (if not decades) in your home. It can move with you from place to place and can be transformed to fit your changing style and needs. Plus, a hutch can serve more than one purpose at a time.

Hutch Ideas

Mix and match any of the ideas below to best suit your home: Here are a few of our favorite ideas for how to use a hutch.

Dining Storage

Hutches have historically been kept in dining rooms for a reason—they provide lots of extra storage without looking clunky. Hutches with open shelves or glass-front cabinet doors are perfect for storing and displaying china sets. Stack cups, saucers, and bowls on the upper shelves, and store heavier items like plates and large bowls in the lower cabinets. Use plate stands to display your favorite platters on the shelves or surface sections.

Don’t have any china to display? Consider storing more niche baking and cooking supplies you don’t use every day in your hutch. Place cake stands on the shelves and mixers and pans in the cabinets. Display a cast-iron pans and bread bowls on the shelves next to small photos and artwork to make the hutch both functional and stylish.

Bookshelf

You probably have more books than you have shelf space. Instead of purchasing another bookcase, try moving your hutch to your living room or office, and transform it into a chic bookshelf. Depending on the size and design of your hutch, it may be able to hold multiple bookcases worth of books in the lower cabinets alone.

Choose to display your favorite books (or the ones with the prettiest spines) on the upper shelves along with bookends, photos, and trinkets. Store leftover books in stacks or baskets in the lower cabinets for easy access. Place bigger coffee table books, candles, and a lamp on the counter piece to finish the look.

Coffee and Drink Bar

Transform an old hutch into a one-of-a-kind coffee bar. For coffee connoisseurs, a hutch can serve as the perfect, separate station in your kitchen to whip up your signature lattes. Display your favorite mugs and cups on the shelves, and keep your coffee machines, milk frothers, and syrups on the counter piece. Store extra equipment and ingredients, like coffee beans and pods, in the drawers or cabinets below.

For a new take on an at-home bar, store your favorite glasses and liquor bottles in your hutch. Keep glasses on the shelves, and store strainers, shakers, and spoons on the counter or in the lower cabinets. Place bottles on a platter and keep limes and other fruits in a fruit bowl on the counter. Store extra dishes and pitchers in the cabinets.

Pantry Space

If your home doesn’t have a separate pantry space, create your own with a hutch. Store items you use frequently on the shelves, and store the less glamorous items, like bulky appliances and cleaning supplies, in the lower cabinets in your hutch. If you don’t like the look of mismatched containers, transfer goods to air-tight canisters with labels. Use baskets and other organizers to store smaller kitchen tools and linens.

Related: These 10 Under-$30 Amazon Pantry Organizers Will Instantly Streamline Your Kitchen

Clothes and Vanity Storage

Plot twist—hutches can also work in bedrooms and bathrooms! Think of hutches as armoires without the rack for hanging items. Store folded clothes, shoes, towels, and sheets in your hutch. Keep jewelry in a dish or tray on the counter along with perfume bottles and other accessories or beauty products.

Hutches can also provide great storage in nurseries and kids’ bedrooms. For a nursery, store clothes, sheets, diapers, wipes, and blankets in the drawers and cabinets. As the child gets older, remove the diapers and wipes and replace them with toys and books.

Related: ’90s Home Decor to Take You Back

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