You don’t have fancy china, and/or you don’t have a formal dining room, so can you still use a china cabinet? Where? Anywhere? Somewhere? Yes, you can!
There is a common misconception among DIY home decorators that cabinets must be in the formal dining room and/or it must house your china.
I am here to tell you that the “China Cabinets for Only China” law has been repealed, and you are free to use a China cabinet anywhere and everywhere in your house.
If you want more china cabinet inspiration, you can check it out here and here.
Use A China Cabinet As A Bar
One of the primary advantages of using a china cabinet as a bar is its ample storage space.
The shelves and compartments originally intended for dishes can now house your collection of glassware, liquor bottles, cocktail accessories, and bar tools.
This repurposing not only provides convenient storage but also makes it easy to organize your bar essentials neatly and accessibly.
Everything you need quickly can be at the level, and additional goodies at the bottom so you are not bending to reach for things.
Or Display Your Beloved Collectibles
Here, a customer of mine has displayed her colorful collection of plates in this stunning blue chinoiserie piece. Your eye is instantly drawn to it because it has height and colorful objects.
It’s a conversation starter, for sure!
Use It In An Entryway
Your front entryway is your first chance to make an impression on your guests. You can do that with a lot of styles using a china cabinet. Instead of a credenza, you can add a china cabinet to that space.
You can style it with family pictures, collectibles from travels, special items, and decorative items. It’s just like styling a credenza, except you have a lot of room, and your items won’t collect dust because they will be behind the doors.
Use As A Linen Closet
I never thought of this until my friend Kayla Payne added a traditional china cabinet in her main bathroom for additional storage in towels, etc.
What a genius idea! This is especially useful if you live in an older home where there are no linen closets. I live in a 12-year-old home, and I have no linen closet!
It’s like the owner forgot to add them to her design plan. I have a spot in the bathroom where I, too, can add a china cabinet in that spot. Here is another bathroom where a lovely little hutch is used as a linen closet.
Use It Anywhere
Sometimes, you have awkward spots in your home or just oversized landing areas, walkways, etc. You can’t really add plants because there is not enough sunlight for them to live.
Adding a chair and a small credenza cabinet is fine, but a china hutch would be next level.
Look at this beautiful 2nd story landing of designer Amy Studebaker’s personal home. It’s a large landing area, so a large piece of furniture is the perfect fit for the spot.
Or this one in the home office of a beautiful Chicago home.
