Make Your Small Kitchen Mighty With Hutch Cabinets
With their compact footprints yet expansive storage options, hutches are handy solutions for small kitchen spaces. If your tiny galley is cramped for room, a vertically oriented hutch squeezes in where other cabinets can't. Unleash the potential of wasted corners and underutilized walls with a space-savvy hutch designed to hold a lot in a little area.
You'll learn clever tips for placement, find key features to look for, and get inspired by stylish designs under five feet wide. By the end, your petite kitchen will feel mighty again.
Benefits of Small Kitchen Hutches
While most standard hutches sprawl six feet wide or more, brands offer narrow options sized just right for modest kitchens. Here are some top reasons to consider a compact hutch.
Maximizing Vertical Storage
When square footage is scarce, the most precious commodity is vertical space. Floorspace comes at a premium, so hutches store items upward instead of outward. Multiple shelves, racks, and cabinets stacked vertically optimize your footprint. Look for adjustable configurations to customize storage to your needs.
Angled Corner Designs
Take advantage of awkward, hard to access corners with a hutch specifically designed for small spaces. Diagonal corner hutches fit nicely into unused corners, their efficient footprint comparing favorably to standard hutches. Rotating shelves lets you angle the contents towards the room for easy access.
Key Features to Look For
When evaluating small kitchen hutches, keep an eye out for these features that maximize functionality in minimum space.
Size Dimensions
Compact hutches range between 30 to 40 inches tall on average. Widths below 60 inches (5 feet) qualify as narrow. Depth dimensions also impact storage capacity, with deeper hutches capable of holding more. Measure your space carefully to ensure the right fit.
Doors and Drawers
Doors neatly conceal hutch contents behind an opaque or glass front. Glass doors allow display of decorative dishes or antique kitchenware. Drawers stow utensils, dish towels, and cookbooks. Look for hutches with pull-out shelves that make hard-to-reach contents easy to access.
Shelves and Interior Storage
Adjustable shelves that can move up and down accommodate changing storage requirements. Open shelves are great for frequently used items you want close at hand. Nooks built into hutches' interiors create storage for small appliances. Also check cabinet depth—the deeper the shelves, the more you can store.
Materials and Finishes
Most hutches are wood, metal, or a mix of both. Wood lends traditional charm with finishes like oak, cherry and pine. Stainless steel hutches impart sleek modern aesthetics. Painted finishes allow for color personalization. Glass doors showcase contents while protecting them from dust. Darker finishes hide imperfections.
Hutch Styles and Designs for Small Spaces
Just because it's small in scale doesn’t mean your hutch has to be boring. Here are some delightful styles sized just right for tiny kitchens.
Rustic Farmhouse Flair
A whitewashed wood hutch evokes pastoral charm, as wire mesh screen doors have a cottage feel. Unfinished reclaimed wood offers casual styling. Distressed details and vintage accessories complete the farmhouse vibe.
Classic Traditional Allure
Hutches made of rich wood like oak, cherry or mahogany impart traditional gravitas. Glass doors and interior lighting elegantly display china and silver. Ornate crown molding and delicately carved accents provide classic refinement.
Contemporary Modern Sophistication
For a sleek modern look, metal and glass hutches communicate sophistication. Unfussy shapes blend seamlessly into minimalist kitchens. Pops of juicy citrus colors provide cheery contrast against crisp white backdrops.
Smart Hutch Placement Tips
Proper hutch placement enhances both aesthetics and functionality. Here are smart ideas for positioning your petite piece.
Corner Hutches
Take advantage of wasted space in corners with a diagonal corner hutch. Angle the cabinet outward for easy access to contents. Ensure proper clearance from surrounding cabinetry and appliances.
Free Standing Hutches
Freestanding hutches offer flexible placement since they don't integrate into existing cabinetry. Avoid high-traffic kitchen zones, and consider proximity to prep or dining areas for convenience.
Above Counters
For a built-in look, install a hutch directly over the countertop. Allow for proper ventilation around any underlying appliances. Match the hutch's height to existing upper wall cabinets for visual flow.
Top Compact Hutches Under 5 Feet Wide
Looking for petite hutches sized just right for tiny kitchens? Here are some stylish top options under five feet wide.
- Copper Grove Maclaren Metal and Wood Hutch - This industrial-inspired hutch provides both open and enclosed storage in a narrow 48" width. Metal mesh doors, a solid wood work surface and iron frame offer vintage flair.
- Home Furniture Mart Corner Hutch - This space-savvy corner hutch with a diagonal design includes glass cabinet doors and drawers for concealed storage. Rotating shelves maximize access.
- East West Furniture Elise Cabinet - At just 36 inches wide, this compact hutch cabinet features glass-fronted display space up top and a cabinet down below. Perfect for small spaces.
- Furniture of America Cambon Storage Hutch - Traditional details like crown molding and inset cabinet fronts adorn this transitional 48” inch hutch. A built-in wine rack makes this a versatile piece.
- HomeRoots Berkeley Corner Floor Cabinet - This budget-friendly corner floor cabinet offers storage and display space. Wire mesh doors and adjustable wood shelves organize kitchen items.
With space to stow dishes, appliances, and everything in between, hutches turn wasted areas into storage treasure troves. A piece sized for your modest square footage opens up a world of organization possibilities. As you review stylish compact options and clever placement ideas, you’ll soon discover small kitchen hutches make a mighty big impact.