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What Type of Wood Hutch is Best?

Amy Hunter
Amy Hunter

There are a variety of ways to choose a wood hutch. A wood hutch can be used as a way to display fine or sentimental china or as a functional piece of furniture. The way that you intend to use your wood hutch will help determine what type of hutch is best.

If you plan to use the wood hutch as a display, area the design should include ample glass areas where your treasures can be displayed. If you are simply looking for a functional piece for storage, the upper area of the wood hutch may not require a great deal of glass. Wooden doors with smaller glass areas may be more suitable for a hutch that is mainly used for storage. This allows you to hide some of the storage space, which can to keep tidy.

Wood hutches may be purchased to serve as an entertainment center.
Wood hutches may be purchased to serve as an entertainment center.

Many people who purchase wood hutches use them for a combination of reasons. They may have some items that they wish to display, but also require additional storage in their home. If this is the case for you, take your time when shopping for a wood hutch.

There are many choices available in hutches and other dining room furniture. If you have a particular style in mind, it may take careful shopping, but you should be able to find the perfect hutch. Regardless of what style you are looking for, there are some tips to keep in mind.

Dishes can be very heavy. Even if you choose a smaller hutch, the shelves must be sturdy enough to support the weight of the dishes. Be conservative in your estimate. While it is unlikely that you will break the shelves the minute that you place the dishes on them, they may not withstand the added weight on a daily basis.

Check the hinges of the doors carefully. The doors should swing open and shut easily. If they stick or pop open at all while the hutch is empty, the problem will only intensify once they are supporting weight. If the hutch has separate upper, mostly glass, doors and lower doors made of wood, bear in mind that the lower doors will be less sensitive to added weight. This is the place to store the majority of your dishes.

Finally, carefully consider the finish of the wood hutch. A hutch that is painted or stained a light color may be difficult to keep looking nice. Darker wood is easier to maintain, but may not match the rest of your furniture. Wood hutches should be cleaned when you clean the rest of your wood furniture, but you may need to occasionally wipe them down with a warm, soapy rag. Unlike most of your wood furniture, they are subjected to grease and food spills.

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    • Wood hutches may be purchased to serve as an entertainment center.
      By: jojjik
      Wood hutches may be purchased to serve as an entertainment center.