10 Dining Room Storage Hacks for When Every Inch Counts
A small dining room can easily cramp even when you don’t have many things around. A few plates, bowls, glasses and decoration pieces can quickly turn it all into a nightmare.
There is a need to utilize the space one already has. Everyday elements of dining deserve a proper home – narrow hutches, built-in storage, wall-mounted shelves and clever combinations of open and closed storage all fit the bill here without making the room feel cramped.
The right design can also be one of the most appealing aspects in the space. These dining room storage ideas demonstrate the synergy of color, cabinetry and organization. If every inch counts at your dining room table, then these 10 ideas might be worth checking out before you make the next change in your dining room.
Coastal White Built-In Dining Hutch with Soft Blue Ceramics
One of the simplest ways to open up a compact dining room is to make it all white cabinetry. A built-in hutch will reach up to the ceiling and provide you with useful storage space without much space.
Keep the finish simple – white – and go with simple blue ceramics for a relaxed coastal feel. Plates, pitchers, vases and a few decorative items can be stored on the higher shelves; less appealing items like serving trays, tablecloths, napkins, and additional cookware can be kept inside closed cabinets below.
The trick is to work the space up and down. When you have a tall cabinet it will give your room a better look. However, if your room is small you must keep some of the shelves not full. Many people like to put collages in their room as it is a good way to retain memories and also fill out the white spaces.
For the bottom shelves you can try using baskets for storing your accessories or any other important stuff.
Sage Green Built-In Dining Cabinetry for Fresh Country Charm
If you’re looking to make the storage area part of the room, sage green is a fantastic choice. It is muted giving a warm feel without overpowering in a small space.
Think about installing a full-height cabinet in a spare wall or alcove. The bottom half can be used for closed storage while the top half can be used for glass-front doors or open shelves.
It’s an ideal setup for a dining room with a country theme. Put out stoneware, wooden serving boards, woven baskets and simple glassware for display. Have solid doors behind all daily items.
For narrow dining rooms, opt for cabinetry that is not too wide. The standard-sized kitchen cabinet isn’t always mandatory. A narrow unit allows you to put table linens, dishes, cookbooks and smaller items for serving with it, and provides you with more space around your table.
Brass or aged metal handles can lend a subtle finishing touch which doesn’t make the storage look too formal.
Warm Cream & Walnut Dining Built-Ins for Timeless Elegance
If you’re needing a dining room to be warm and cozy, then you should pair creamy cabinetry with accent pieces of walnut. The contrast helps give depth and doesn’t overpower.
There can be built-in cabinets on one wall with drawers at the bottom, cupboards in the middle, and open shelving above. Each of the sections can do a different task. Drawers can hold cutleries and napkins, cupboards would hold bigger ones and shelves can hold items that can be seen.
Bright colors aren’t always necessary, as walnut shelving or trim works well to add some interest. It can also complement the classic dining set.
Another good tip: have one drawer or cabinet for items that you only use when people come over. Everyday, there is no need for the formal napkins, special glasses, candles, and serving utensils to take a prime spot in the storage space.
The result is a dining room that appears neat even if you have a pretty impressive list of entertaining essentials.
Deep Navy Built-In Dining Hutch with Brass & White Display
In a small dining room, dark cabinetry may appear dangerous, but dark navy cabinets will create a sophisticated focal point. Don’t go overboard and hide the cabinet; make it on purpose.
White plates and ceramics work well with the brass hardware and navy built-in hutch. Dark color adds to the intimate nature of the dining area and the contrast sets off the pieces shown in the image.
Lower shelves for functional storage; upper shelves for items that need to be displayed. Keep it simple with glass front doors. Get plates stacked and place like objects in piles; don’t spread individual items out on all the shelves.
Drawers under the main cabinet for extra storage. A shallow drawer will serve as a handy spot for coasters, dining accessories, candles and placemats.
This is best suited when one wall is otherwise unused. A carefully designed built-in can serve several storage requirements versus having to provide some individual furnishings.
Warm Terracotta Built-In Dining Hutch with Earthy Mediterranean Vibes
Terracotta is warm for a dining room and looks great with wood, cream, stone and handmade ceramics. If you want your storage to be decorative, not functional, then you’re better off with it.
A terracotta coloured hutch can consist of open shelving for pottery pieces and closed cabinets for regular items. Wooden bowls, woven baskets and textured ceramics can be incorporated into the design as natural materials stand out against the warm backdrop.
In small rooms, stay with simple cabinetry. If there is too much decorating in a small wall, it will appear cluttered.
The top of the hutch can also be used to place a few larger items as opposed to a lot of small items. One ceramic dish, be it a cup, a little vase or a large serving bowl, can make a greater impression than a multitude of small accessories.
This style of cabinetry can offer storage and add architectural interest to Mediterranean-styled interiors.
Soft Blush Built-In Dining Cabinetry for Romantic Elegance
Soft blush is an unusual, but very adaptable cabinetry colour for a dining room. It brings color into the picture but it’s not as heavy as a more intense red or burgundy.
A light wood dining set, somewhat light beige walls, and blush cabinetry are a great combination in a small dining area. The overall taste is light and warm, not too sweet.
Storage can be organized by the frequency of use of the items. Have everyday plates or glasses handy. Rarely used plates can go on the higher shelves.
Here, open shelving may be helpful but should be used sparingly. Just a few tastefully placed items will keep the cabinetry looking stylish without adding to the clutter.
A custom narrow cabinet could be a solution for those weird corners that don’t fit a standard size cabinet. Table runners, candles, placemats or seasonal eating accessories can fit into a small vertical cabinet.
Olive Green Built-In Dining Cabinetry with Earthy Botanical Styling
Olive green is an opulent accent for dining areas, particularly with natural wood. It is also convenient due to the subdued color that hides the look of a big storage unit.
To get the most use out of the item, consider using something other than a normal cupboard. Include moving shelves for various sized plates, bowls, pitchers and serving pieces.
Small items can also have pull-out drawers. This will make it much easier to see what you have instead of having to go through a deep cabinet.
There is no need to go too complex with the botanical styling. Some leafy stems, botanical artwork or ceramic pieces in their natural color can lighten cabinetry while maintaining its storage capabilities.
A good guideline to follow is to keep the most frequently used objects at waist to eye level. Use the top shelves for seldom-used objects. A simple change that will make a small dining room so easy to use.
Warm Mocha Built-In Dining Hutch for Cozy Classic Warmth
A warm mocha built-in can look great in a wood dining room. Instead of providing a stark contrast, it’s a continuation of the room’s color palette.
Several layers of storage may be provided in a traditional hutch design. Keep small dining implements in a drawer, regular or everyday items in a cupboard and decorative or regularly used items on an upper shelf.
A thin wall can be used to maximize the space within the cabinet by extending it up and down. Install crown moulding or simple trim at the ceiling for an intentional and integrated look.
Another option is to use glass front doors. They keep fragile objects clean and enable you to view the contents.
For particularly tight spaces, consider sliding doors instead of hinged ones. They take up no extra space when opened, so this could be significant if the dining table is close to the cabinetry.
Dusty Blue Built-In Dining Cabinetry for Breezy Coastal Style
Dusty blue isn’t quite navy but is more definite than white. It can add a laid back coastal vibe to a small dining room without overwhelming it.
Dishes can be matched with simple cabinets painted a dusty blue, woven baskets, and light wood. This mix ensures that the storage unit is light and welcoming.
Cover more substantial items with the lower cabinets. If the large platters or serving bowls are difficult to store due to their shape, an adjustable shelf is very convenient.
Where there is an empty wall next to a doorway, consider narrow built-in shelving. If the cabinet is just a few inches taller than needed it can serve as a nice place to store glasses, cookbooks, candles or linens.
Another space-saving concept is to include a small countertop in the design. It provides you with a place to set a coffee tray, drinking station or serving utensils without taking up yet another extra standalone table.
Forest Green Built-In Dining Hutch with Rich Library Feel
When you have a dining room that needs to be dramatic and cozy, forest green is the perfect color to use. It’s like the library atmosphere to the dining room.
A Green hutch of this type can transform a simple wall into a feature, and offer lots of concealed storage. Install warm wood shelves, traditional hardware or glass doors to add character to the unit.
It’s also a great style to store books with the dining utensils. Some of the open shelving may be used for cookbooks, entertaining guides, and family recipe collections.
The key is in organization. Try not to clutter each shelf with a different item; a good idea is to put similar items on the same shelf. Glasses may be grouped and plates stacked, and various sizes of serving pieces can be arranged.
A wall mounted cabinet will work in a small space as well. It leaves the bottom of the floor exposed, which makes it lighter-looking while still providing storage opportunities.
Make Every Inch Work Harder
The optimal way to store in a dining room does not necessarily involve storage. It’s the real secret. The right built-in can serve as a backdrop for beautiful ceramics and help conceal daily items and clear up cluttered walls.
When selecting a cabinet, take time to examine the room. Do you have extra room over your sideboard? Can shallow shelves be supported on a narrow wall? Waste a corner? Can what you have be replaced by one item that is taller that provides double the storage?
