How to Style an Upcycled Hutch

Recently I decided to give our dining room a bit of a refresh. It was feeling a bit cluttered after our homeschool year and I wanted to lighten & brighten the room for summer. I got the idea to create an upcycled hutch from two separate pieces of furniture: a vintage bureau and thrift store bookcase. Have you ever paired two pieces of furniture together before? It’s a great way to consolidate storage and space. Keep reading to see how I styled my ‘new’ upcycled hutch with a Scandinavian and farmhouse feel.

Hutch pieces ‘before’

First, let me show you how this wall in my dining room looked originally. The vintage bureau was already in place to hold a plethora of homeschool books and supplies. Above the bureau was one vintage shelf and an assortment of vintage plates hung on the wall:

This white bookcase was located in our living room. It was an inexpensive thrift store find from many years ago. I never got around to painting it or touching up in any way, so it still has a well-worn patina.

Upcycled hutch ‘after’

To create my new hutch in the dining room, I simply removed the vintage shelf & plates over the bureau, then placed the white bookcase on top. Next, I enjoyed styling the shelves with favorite pieces…

Since the intent was to lighten & brighten the room, I kept to a mostly white palette and a Scandinavian farmhouse style. Listed below are tips for achieving this look yourself.

Tip # 1 – Pick a simple color scheme

To prevent your upcycled hutch from appearing too cluttered, you will want to stick to a simple color scheme. Neutral colors are my favorite for decor, but I also enjoy faded blues & white together. Any patterns that were included in my hutch contained faded blue/grays with white/cream.

Tip # 2 – Include vintage pieces

Your hutch will stand out and invite conversation if it includes pieces that have a history and tell a story. I adore vintage ironstone and blue & white china. Feel free to choose whatever vintage piece speaks to your heart.

Tip # 3 – Add a touch of modern

If your base furniture pieces and showcased items are mostly vintage your hutch may teeter on appearing too dated. Make sure to mix in some modern pieces to bring it into this century. I’m drawn to Scandinavian style these days, so my modern additions were the baskets on top, wood beads, and crocheted napkin rings in that style. The natural unadorned wreath also gives a minimalist touch.

Tip # 4 – Use glass pieces

Whether you include vintage or modern glass pieces, such as cloches or vases, they will help to keep your hutch visually uncluttered. One of my hygge candle holders was a cute addition to the collection of glass pieces.

Tip # 5 – Texture will soften

Linens, yarn creations (such as these crochet napkin rings), and baskets are wonderful additions to a hutch. Their texture will soften the overall look and provide interest. If you do add linens, try to choose pieces in your color scheme. The baskets should also be consistent in their color shade (i.e. don’t mix dark brown baskets with lighter natural ones).

Tip # 6 – Spruce up with greenery

One sure way to put life into your hutch is to include greenery. This tip will literally bring life if the plants are real. However, my go-to faux greenery never disappoints. Here I’ve tucked some sprigs under a cloche:

Tip # 7 – Add whimsy!

Last, but not least, my final tip is to add a little something to bring a smile to your face when you pass by your hutch. My silver dinner bell does the trick for me (see above). The little tinkle of the bell gently beckons…Dinner is served!

Want to remember these tips? Post this upcycled hutch styling guide to your favorite Pinterest board!