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If you’ve been here for a while, you’ve seen these shelves in my living room. I show them throughout the year because they’re perfect for seasonal decorating. What I’ve never shared is what’s tucked inside the cabinet underneath.
How Do You Store China In A Small Space?
- Empty and clean the cabinet completely.
- Remove unrelated items so only essential pieces remain.
- Use shelf risers to eliminate stacking.
- Store cups upside down and keep platters upright behind risers.
This method protects delicate dishes, prevents chipping, and keeps everything easy to access.
Before I reorganized it, this small cabinet held two sets of china along with a collection of random items that didn’t really belong there. It worked, but barely. A few things bothered me every time I opened the doors. Here are the three biggest issues:
- The coffee cups were stacked. Even though they aren’t used often, I didn’t like the risk of chipping. I wanted them in a single layer with no stacking at all.
- Extra items made it hard to access the china quickly and easily.
- The cabinet was dusty and overdue for a good cleaning.
The four steps below are the foundation of any organization project. It doesn’t matter if the space is large or very small. These steps always work.
- Empty the space.
- Clean the space.
- Edit the contents.
- Restore order.
Each step builds on the one before it. You can’t clean properly unless the cabinet is empty. You can’t edit unless everything is spread out so you can see exactly what you have. And you can’t restore order until only the essentials remain. In this case, I donated or relocated everything except the two sets of china. In a cabinet this small, every inch matters. Keeping unrelated items inside only made it harder to use.
Budget Friendly Storage Solution
Once the cabinet was clean and edited, I returned the largest pieces first. Then I added three shelf risers to eliminate stacking. I’ve used these same risers in my kitchen cabinet organization project, and they’ve proven to be simple and dependable.I chose white, but they are available in chrome as well. They are affordable, sturdy, and make a noticeable difference in tight spaces. As you can see above, the two large platters stand behind the risers. They aren’t the most accessible pieces, but they are protected and safely stored, which was my priority.
The risers made it possible to store the coffee cups upside down in a single layer. No stacking. No shifting. The space underneath the risers holds the salad plates, bread and butter plates, and serving pieces. Since I had just used the Lenox Holiday china at Christmas, it was already clean. My wedding china was not, so I set aside the time to wash everything before putting it back. It took three dishwasher loads, but it felt worth the effort. There’s no point in placing dusty dishes into a freshly cleaned cabinet.
I’m very happy with the way this cabinet turned out, and I’m glad everything is clean and orderly. I’ve thought about packing up my china in padded, quilted cases, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. Even though they are not used often, I treasure both sets, and want them to be accessible. And you never know…maybe they’ll get used at some point!
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Did you say if you put your lenox china in the dishwasher with the gold on it. Our formal china has lots of gold and is Lenox and one reason I don’t want to use is I am afraid to put in the dishwasher so it sits unused, :( I am ordering risers to try in my cabinets but have so many dishes stacked maybe no room to use them. Worth a try. I want your organized look. :) Great post!
Hello!
Yes, I am really behind on my email! This was a great post, made even more enjoyable because I also have Adagio as my wedding china! I keep it in my mother’s antique dry sink, along with too many other things. I’ll be ordering some of the shelf risers, and cleaning out the dry sink! One thing I did do long ago was order felt plate protectors to separate the plates. Inexpensive way to help protect your pieces.
I have the same wedding china! I love it but haven’t used it in years. Your organization is beautiful!
I have the same wedding china!!!
Great ideas, Ann. The first thing I noticed is that we have the same Lenox Christmas china. When you have multiple sets of china (We have 5 sets!), storing them for accessibility and safety is a challenge. Thanks for the easy steps. Pinning
Good tips Ann. We are in the process of that routine deep cleaning that involves take out and returning items on shelves, often edited. Like you I don’t want my china in storage but where I can get to it!
Wonderful idea Ann! Thank you.
Love your new storage ideas. I have my Christmas dishes in the garage which has cabinets. Your home looks so clean and organized.
Oh, golly—shallow storage is wonderful—because you can get at everything. As a true lover of ceramics/pottery old and new, I would recommend at least a paper napkin between each of your pieces…as footed plates/bowls etc can totally scratch the piece underneath! But, how wonderful to have everything in view!
Such a great idea, Ann, to use the shelf risers! I am going to purchase a few of these as my china cups need to have a safe spot rather than being doubly stacked.
Have a great week! Blessings! Thanks for always bringing us such great ideas!
Ann,
I am quite intrigued with your white shelving pieces
that allow you to put your cups in a row instead of stacking.
I will definitely “look” for those!
I agree. . .editing and sorting are key to great organization!
Thank you for always inspiring!
Pat
I love dishes and many times I set my dining table for whatever season or holiday is taking place. I put just the plates, cups, and crystal; everything but the silverware. I enjoy visiting my dining room to enjoy whatever China is set at the time. I really need to use your 3 rules and start cleaning out cabinets. Happy February!
Love those risers…I used them in my linen closet too.
Remember…the next time you have a treat…pull out one of your dessert plates and use it even if you are all by yourself. Same for that cup of tea or coffee. I am committed to using my special dishes as much as I can.
Can’t wait to try that coffee cake recipe you posted…num.
What an impressive set of Lenox Christmas dishes! I know better than to covet yours but it’s not easy :-) Enjoy them. I actually have my wedding china and both sets that belonged to my mother and mother-in-law. I finally broke down and bought the quilted zippered bags & cup holders when I broke a couple pieces in our move 21/2 yrs ago. Only took me 45 years to give in!
I have done the same thing with the quilted bags and boxes. Everything stays nice and clean – ready for use!
Great use of the space! Looks like it will be much easier to take the dishes out & put them back in.
The organizational part of my brain just went to its happy place! I have the same issue with china cups! Don’t want to stack them, but didn’t think I had a choice. You’re brilliant Ann! Thanks for sharing.
Ann, I knew I liked you from the moment I started following you but when I saw your China I couldn’t believe it. I have/had the exact same China!!!!! Sadly I sold my Lennox Holiday several years ago because at the time we had 7 kids and I never felt comfortable using them in case they broke. 😕 I did hang on to our wedding China! Thanks for your wonderful posts.
Looks great! I never thought about using the shelves to put the cups upside down upon. You’ve really made your space work for you.
Another reason I’ve found you as a kindred spirit…I’ve got the same china pattern as you. Got mine in the early 1980s and I still love it because it is so versatile. It works well with nice monogrammed napkins and an elegant table setting as well as gingham napkins and mason jars.
Everything looks great. I love organized spaces. Any chance you’ll ever show us what is in the blue cabinets in your kitchen? I’ve always been curious about what you store there.
love this ann! I struggle with where to store my china & I loved your goal “restore order.” Made me laugh! Happy Sunday! What team are you cheering for today? laura
Nice job with that. I like those covered wire hangers. Where do you buy them?
Ann,
I had the same ideas in china storage, using the same risers about 2 yrs ago. Unfortunately, I added more dishes to it and now find myself needing to donate and reorganize! Reading your blog has given me new inspiration! By the way, your wedding china was mine as well! Similarities!
Thanks Ann
What pattern is your wedding china? I think I have the same, too. You mentioned you wash it in the dishwasher. Any special tips? I am afraid to try it. Thanks for the great post!
Linzel,
My pattern is Adagio by Noritake. Purchased early 70’s.
I’ve always used the dishwasher with this China.
I love great organization where things are easily accessible and not hidden. I had the zippered china bags but found it was too much taking all the pieces in and out so I did away with them.Your solution looks good,I think you accomplished your goal.
I absolutely love the way this cabinet turned out and what a great idea the shelf risers are! I am headed to buy them right now!! And what a lovely surprise to read all the way through and see a shout out to my dish closet! Thank you so much!
This looks great and it’s just the inspiration I needed to empty my china cupboard’s bottom shelves that are behind doors. It needs to be better organized. Thank you for this.
xo,
Karen
Isn’t it amazing how just one space in our homes can serve us so well. Can you imagine how you could possibly do without that cabinet and its shelves? Your beloved china and ironstone collection would be relegated to a basement, attic or so me other out-of-sight, out-of-mind storage.
I have a small home, only a little over 1000 sq ft, but I have a double pantry at the end of my kitchen that contains all of my normal pantry food prep items, plus my small appliances, my large pots, pans and serving bowls and my pet food. I can’t even imagine trying to incorporate all of that into my small kitchen without it. I give thanks for the person who designed this feature every time I open the doors.
Sometimes it’s the little things ……
Excellent! I use those risers all over my small home. But I think you should reconsider the zipped china “bags” — no dust, ever, and even my great-grandmother’s 125yo exceptionally delicate cups are protected! Thank you for your inspiration!
You are the queen of organization, Ann! I did not get up this morning thinking I would be organizing and cleaning closets and cabinets today, but you have inspired me to get to it! Your china cabinet turned out great! The four essential steps to obtaining a clean, organized space told me not to cut corners and just do it right the first time rather than just pushing things around to make more room!!! Thank you!!