How A Thrifted Corner Hutch Cabinet Can Add Rustic Charm To Your Kitchen

Storage and display space in a small kitchen are often at a premium, with every available inch needing to be maximized. Corner hutches and cabinets may be the perfect solution to small-space living, allowing you to use what would otherwise be dead space in a corner. Not only do these old cabinets add interest and charm with their wood grain textures and unique detailing, but they also grant you extra display space for decorative dishes and other décor, allowing you to show off your style. They can also serve as excellent storage for pantry items, large serving pieces, and other items to help free up space in your other cabinets.

These slender cabinets can usually be found at thrift stores priced under $100, most with a vintage flair that makes them perfect for a number of cottage, farmhouse, and other rustic style spaces. Many have glass doors or open shelving on the top like a traditional hutch, while others have solid doors and discreet storage above and below.

Even the shabbiest vintage corner cabinet can become a beautiful addition to your kitchen with a few modifications to the finish, hardware, and other details. You can make adjustments to the cabinet doors, like adding film that creates a fluted or frosted look over the front glass to keep things out of sight. Adding caning or other woven materials over glass doors with spray adhesive gives the cabinet a French Provincial or tropical look depending on your aesthetic. To get the look of a fun vintage pie safe, add wire mesh, chicken wire, or perforated tin to create a charming and useful cabinet that can serve as extra pantry space.

While tall cabinets offer the most storage and display space, shorter corner cabinets are also useful. The top of a shorter cabinet can serve as an extra display or prep surface in your kitchen. Corner cabinets can easily be outfitted with other elements, like cup hooks, plate racks, and wine racks, for customized storage or display options. For a cabinet that is rather simple in design, you can add trim and molding to give it more character and antique flair. For a very small space, paint the cabinet the same shade as the walls to make it look like a built-in and seamlessly blend the storage piece into your design.  

When adding contents to your corner cabinet, many common shelf-decorating principles apply, including adding a wealth of levels and textures. Consider the rule of three and this three-item tip when grouping items together on the shelves, creating a balanced triangle shape in the arrangement. This helps guide the eye and prevent a cluttered and overflowing look, allowing the contents to shine. To make your items pop and add depth to the shelves, you can line them with peel-and-stick wallpaper or paint the back of the cabinet a different shade. For an eclectic look, mix dishes with other elements like baskets, plants, cookbooks, and other décor items.

If you want to use a corner hutch for extra pantry storage, choose pretty jars, containers, bowls, boxes, and baskets to house your goods. Or use it for bottle and glassware as a chic home bar that doesn't take up too much space. For a green biophilic look, use the cabinet as a plant stand for an indoor herb garden or a collection of plants with glow lights attached under the shelves. Or turn a thrifted hutch into a small corner coffee bar with your machine, cups, and supplies organized inside. You could also adapt a cabinet as a discreet desk in your kitchen by installing a fold-out surface for working attached with chain and hinges underneath.