If you thought selecting a set of china from so many beautiful choices was a difficult decision, try storing and displaying the collection. Where’s the best place to display china? Do you display the entire collection? Can you stack plates? Hang teacups? Fine china needs to be handled differently than your everyday dinnerware, and it should be stored separately as well. A glass cabinet, be it a hutch or in a built-in, is your best bet. The glass protects your china while allowing you to show it off in style. Whether you’re storing it for your next special occasion or safekeeping it for the next generation, here’s how to display china in a glass cabinet.
Why It’s Important to Protect China
China displayed on open shelves can invite disaster. Individual pieces are prone to get knocked over and chipped and if they’re stacked, but not stacked correctly, they may chip or topple over. But how do you display it while still protecting it? A glass cabinet, such as a china cabinet, hutch, or a bank of built-ins, are traditional options. Wall mounted glass cabinets can accommodate a curated collection of china as well. But glass doors mean the items behind them need to remain neat and organized. So here’s how to display china in a glass cabinet to keep them safe and show-worthy.
How to Arrange a China Cabinet: 8 Tips
1. Don’t crowd your collection.
Overcrowding can cause your pieces to bump up against each other and create knicks and scratches in the delicate dinnerware. Allow for breathing space between pieces and arrange a few favorites on . Displaying a few pieces upright will add visual interest to your shelf display and show off your china’s pattern.
2. Use plate rails.
Those grooves toward the back of the shelves in your china cabinet? They’re there to keep plates and platters from sliding and slipping while on display. Choose some larger pieces, such as dinner plates or a platter that won’t get lost behind a stack of smaller pieces like dessert plates or teacups. This broadens visibility to show off the pattern without having to take out any pieces to show off the details of your china set.
3. Stack your china.
Stacking china saves space and fills cabinet shelves beautifully. When stacking china, place cushioning between each plate or bowl to prevent chips. Pieces of custom-fit, thin foam or felt, or even paper coffee filters, placed in between each piece is all you need. Just keep each stack to a maximum of ten dishes to prevent them from sliding and toppling over. You can also stack teacups (it’s actually preferred over hanging cups on hooks from their handles). It’s best to set them in their saucers first and then stack each pairing on top of each other. Again, only stacking a few pairs to avoid toppling.
4. Arrange pieces symmetrically.
Take care to arrange in a pattern that’s pleasing to the eye: symmetry. For example, place a platter on the plate rail in the center of the cabinet and flank with dinner plates. Or, fashion four dinner plates against the back and arrange a setting of saucers, bowls, and teacups in front.
5. Add a Pop of Color to Compliment Dishes.
Most china settings are in a neutral hue, so consider bringing in something that’s complimentary. Consider an item that matches the paint on the room’s wall or the predominant color in a rug or tablecloth to tie everything together. Or use color for contrast. Make an impact with TikTok’s unexpected red theory. Nestle something red—a vase, glass, or candle—within the collection. The pop of color will draw attention to the collection.
6. Mix Decorative and Practical Pieces.
If you use your china (and, really, you should!) make sure it is accessible. A china cabinet or glass-fronted hutch in the dining room is a perfect place. It makes it easy to set the table and it’s pleasing to look at when entertaining. But practicality only goes so far. Add some decorative items to keep things interesting. Perch a silver bowl on top of art books stacked horizontally. Place a few feathers in a vase pitcher or vase.
7. Use consistent margins between each stack or china piece.
Be sure to give your curated collection breathing room. This allows air to circulate between items and provides a visual break in addition to avoiding the stacks to bump up against each other and chip. Separating individual pieces and stacked plates and bowls an equal distance from each other is harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
8. Add non-dishware items.
If your China is a family heirloom, consider placing a framed photo of your grandparents on their wedding day. If your china was gifted from your bridal registry, place a nod to your big day with mementos, such as silver candlesticks or champagne flutes, to create a romantic vignette.
Conclusion:
Storing your china in a cabinet separate from your everyday dinnerware is a smart move. It keeps it safe, makes it more accessible, and makes it a focal point of your cabinet. We hope the eight ideas above have shown you how to display china in glass cabinets and inspires you to pull your china out of storage and display it where it can be seen, enjoyed, and, hopefully, used.