Styling: 10 Ways to Create a Stylish Dresser Display
Merge the pretty and the practical in your kitchen or dining space with these inspired display ideas
Whether you have a traditional Welsh dresser, a more contemporary display unit or simply open cupboard space, don’t overlook the styling opportunities extra on-show space can offer. From the décor of the dresser itself to how you curate what’s inside it, read on for some smart styling fixes.
Opt for light and airy
By consisting mostly of clear glassware, the contents of this cabinet appear visually uncluttered. This is further aided by the considered use of a cool, neutral paint on the unit itself.
If it were filled with colourful pieces and in its original dark wood, this dresser might dominate the space. But, styled like this, the other elements in the room, such as the statement chandelier, are allowed to shine.
By consisting mostly of clear glassware, the contents of this cabinet appear visually uncluttered. This is further aided by the considered use of a cool, neutral paint on the unit itself.
If it were filled with colourful pieces and in its original dark wood, this dresser might dominate the space. But, styled like this, the other elements in the room, such as the statement chandelier, are allowed to shine.
Tie it all together
As well as the colour scheme inside this dresser being beautifully coordinated, the aesthetic has been carried through into the rest of the space thanks to the use of pink detailing, picked up in the radio, candles, plant pots and napkins. These touches tie the dresser into the scheme as a whole and add just the right amount of bold colour to this white room.
As well as the colour scheme inside this dresser being beautifully coordinated, the aesthetic has been carried through into the rest of the space thanks to the use of pink detailing, picked up in the radio, candles, plant pots and napkins. These touches tie the dresser into the scheme as a whole and add just the right amount of bold colour to this white room.
Go for glazing
These medicine-style cabinets, with their wraparound glazing, provide all-round views of the contents, and visually feel less imposing than a design with closed sides might. The contents are displayed to best effect, with pretty plates propped up, picture-style, and decorative bowls given their own spaces in which to shine.
These medicine-style cabinets, with their wraparound glazing, provide all-round views of the contents, and visually feel less imposing than a design with closed sides might. The contents are displayed to best effect, with pretty plates propped up, picture-style, and decorative bowls given their own spaces in which to shine.
Add in age-old charm
Vintage doesn’t have to mean twee. The characterful, well-worn pieces displayed in this dresser have an easy elegance to them, and could effortlessly be mixed and matched with other items as your collection grows.
Look out for crockery in charity shops in designs that match your home’s aesthetic – florals for a country feel, say, or blue and white stripes for a coastal vibe.
Vintage doesn’t have to mean twee. The characterful, well-worn pieces displayed in this dresser have an easy elegance to them, and could effortlessly be mixed and matched with other items as your collection grows.
Look out for crockery in charity shops in designs that match your home’s aesthetic – florals for a country feel, say, or blue and white stripes for a coastal vibe.
Embrace a modern alternative
Freestanding shelving units offer a contemporary twist on the traditional dresser, and are versatile enough to be used for an array of uses, from crockery and glassware to cookery books. Try leaving some sections empty to create a more curated feel, especially in a pared-back scheme.
Browse more ways to use freestanding storage in your kitchen
Freestanding shelving units offer a contemporary twist on the traditional dresser, and are versatile enough to be used for an array of uses, from crockery and glassware to cookery books. Try leaving some sections empty to create a more curated feel, especially in a pared-back scheme.
Browse more ways to use freestanding storage in your kitchen
Create a colour statement
If your dresser’s contents are clear, but you still want to incorporate a bright hue, consider painting the actual cupboard itself in a vibrant shade. This cobalt blue has made the decorative dresser, rather than its contents, the focal point.
If your dresser’s contents are clear, but you still want to incorporate a bright hue, consider painting the actual cupboard itself in a vibrant shade. This cobalt blue has made the decorative dresser, rather than its contents, the focal point.
Dabble with pots of colour
Clear glass storage jars look stylish as well as offering practical storage, with the added bonus that their contents can bring a splash of colour to the space. Choose jars in the same design for a neat look, and fill them with pulses, spices and tricolour pasta for a cheerful display.
Check out more ways to keep your kitchen cupboards organised
Clear glass storage jars look stylish as well as offering practical storage, with the added bonus that their contents can bring a splash of colour to the space. Choose jars in the same design for a neat look, and fill them with pulses, spices and tricolour pasta for a cheerful display.
Check out more ways to keep your kitchen cupboards organised
Open up
Open-plan units do the same job as a dresser and allow for a multitude of opportunities to create curated vignettes of useful kitchen pieces. Here, crockery is mixed with appliances and black wire baskets for a neutral but textural display.
Open-plan units do the same job as a dresser and allow for a multitude of opportunities to create curated vignettes of useful kitchen pieces. Here, crockery is mixed with appliances and black wire baskets for a neutral but textural display.
Celebrate nature
Don’t be afraid to add non-kitchen items to the display to enhance crockery and glassware. The natural designs on this ceramics range are complemented by the equally natural styling elements, such as grasses and pine cones, dressed into the space.
TELL US…
How have you styled your dresser or shelves? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Don’t be afraid to add non-kitchen items to the display to enhance crockery and glassware. The natural designs on this ceramics range are complemented by the equally natural styling elements, such as grasses and pine cones, dressed into the space.
TELL US…
How have you styled your dresser or shelves? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
In a classic scheme, symmetry can help things look calm and considered. With the panes of glass as guidelines, this cabinet’s contents are visually balanced and perfectly in tune with the dining space.