Decorating: 11 Ways to Stylishly Organise your Dresser
Use a Welsh dresser to create a beautiful display, regardless of whether you own a vintage heirloom or a more modern piece
With Christmas around the corner, if you’re planning to entertain, you may be starting to think about the state of your dresser. Probably the largest piece of furniture in your dining room (second only to the table), the dresser influences the style and mood of your space. And beyond style, there are practical considerations – do you want to showcase your best china, or would you rather have a more practical dresser, filled with items you use daily? Whatever you decide, these tips should help you get things sorted in style.
Tuck in a few special extras
Vases filled with flowers or greenery, items collected on nature walks and unscented candles are all good things to include in an open dresser. The candles and flowers (or foliage) bring some life to an arrangement of plates and platters and can be put to work at the dinner table for a fuss-free centrepiece.
Learn how to create a tabletop display for your next dinner party
Vases filled with flowers or greenery, items collected on nature walks and unscented candles are all good things to include in an open dresser. The candles and flowers (or foliage) bring some life to an arrangement of plates and platters and can be put to work at the dinner table for a fuss-free centrepiece.
Learn how to create a tabletop display for your next dinner party
Use your dresser to store your fancy china set
The most traditional use of a Welsh dresser is to put the best dishes on display. Glass-front cabinet doors allow beautiful pieces to be seen without accumulating dust. If your china set is extensive, don’t try to fit every piece inside the dresser — just arrange items until it is comfortably full and stow the rest in the cupboards below.
The most traditional use of a Welsh dresser is to put the best dishes on display. Glass-front cabinet doors allow beautiful pieces to be seen without accumulating dust. If your china set is extensive, don’t try to fit every piece inside the dresser — just arrange items until it is comfortably full and stow the rest in the cupboards below.
Stack some, lean some
Large, unwieldy pieces like serving platters can be carefully leaned against the back wall of the dresser, behind stacks of plates. If you’re concerned about platters’ tipping over, you can use plate stands to keep them steady. Lean the platter first, then place stacks of plates, bowls or cups in front to conserve space.
Large, unwieldy pieces like serving platters can be carefully leaned against the back wall of the dresser, behind stacks of plates. If you’re concerned about platters’ tipping over, you can use plate stands to keep them steady. Lean the platter first, then place stacks of plates, bowls or cups in front to conserve space.
If you’re using your dresser to store everyday dishes, you can do the same thing. Stack up bowls and plates, and lean a platter or tray behind.
Browse 9 ways to stash bulky culinary kit
Browse 9 ways to stash bulky culinary kit
More things to stack
Stacks save space in your dresser; but more than that, they fill more space between shelves for a bountiful look. Make stacks of cups and saucers and cake plates, in addition to the usual plates and bowls.
Keep party goods together
If you are already storing in your dresser the platters and cake stands you use while entertaining, including other party essentials in the same spot can make life easier. Fill a teacup with birthday candles and a pretty box of matches, line up festive bottled drinks and top a cake plate with a cluster of your favorite bud vases.
Stacks save space in your dresser; but more than that, they fill more space between shelves for a bountiful look. Make stacks of cups and saucers and cake plates, in addition to the usual plates and bowls.
Keep party goods together
If you are already storing in your dresser the platters and cake stands you use while entertaining, including other party essentials in the same spot can make life easier. Fill a teacup with birthday candles and a pretty box of matches, line up festive bottled drinks and top a cake plate with a cluster of your favorite bud vases.
Hang teacups from hooks
Save shelf space and add interest by installing a row of simple hooks beneath a shelf. To be sure you put them in the right place, arrange everything else in the cupboard before deciding where you want the cups to go.
Save shelf space and add interest by installing a row of simple hooks beneath a shelf. To be sure you put them in the right place, arrange everything else in the cupboard before deciding where you want the cups to go.
Line up glassware
As a general rule, it’s best to keep like with like when arranging a Welsh dresser. Sort glassware by type and give each type its own shelf (or section of shelf). Line glasses up like little soldiers for a crisp look.
As a general rule, it’s best to keep like with like when arranging a Welsh dresser. Sort glassware by type and give each type its own shelf (or section of shelf). Line glasses up like little soldiers for a crisp look.
Even from a distance, you can see the silhouettes of the white dishes in this black painted china cupboard.
Incorporate objects
Have a bit of extra room? If you don’t feel the need to fill your entire dresser with dishes and glassware, incorporating other objects can make for a dynamic display. Prop up a half dozen books with an interesting bookend, set up a bar or lean small, framed artwork against the back wall.
Have a bit of extra room? If you don’t feel the need to fill your entire dresser with dishes and glassware, incorporating other objects can make for a dynamic display. Prop up a half dozen books with an interesting bookend, set up a bar or lean small, framed artwork against the back wall.
Though this dresser is in a living room, you can see that a contrasting background colour and varied objects have been used to great effect. Bringing in a few larger pieces of pottery or a sculptural shell can take a dresser filled mostly with dishes to the next level.
Or, for something completely different, why not give over your dresser to books? A mini library behind glass is gorgeous — and the more books crammed in, the merrier.
When in doubt, use symmetry
Going shelf by shelf, make each arrangement the same on the left and right sides. Once the bulk of the pieces are in place, you can shake things up a bit by tucking in an odd candle here or vase there.
TELL US…
Do you have a Welsh dresser at home? Share a photo in the Comments section below.
Going shelf by shelf, make each arrangement the same on the left and right sides. Once the bulk of the pieces are in place, you can shake things up a bit by tucking in an odd candle here or vase there.
TELL US…
Do you have a Welsh dresser at home? Share a photo in the Comments section below.
If you rarely use your fanciest china (even when you entertain) but do use your dining room frequently, consider storing your best stuff neatly in protective containers in a closet, and free up space for everyday items in the dresser. Dishes, mugs, white platters and a few pitchers stored in the dining room make setting the table a simple task, and when arranged carefully can look just as good as the fancy stuff. Drawers below your Welsh dresser can be used to store flatware, serving pieces and cloth napkins.