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I've been working on some china cabinet styling ideas in my own dining room and thought I would share them here, too. From traditional, to modern, there are endless possibilities for displaying dishes and serving ware. 

One of the rooms I've been piddling in lately is our dining room. We're having guests over this weekend...since we've officially been moved in for over two months, I thought it was way past time to load the dishes in my china cabinets. Having guests is a fabulous excuse to get things done, right?

China Cabinet Styling Ideas

I am usually pretty symmetrical with my hutch and all of its contents...but, I thought it would be fun to mix it up a bit. I'm also sharing inspiration from several friends who have some lovely china displays over on their blogs, as well.

My Personal China Cabinet Ideas

I have two identical china cabinets that were passed down to me from my late uncle. They also have a credenza that goes in between them, but that piece is at my brother's home. So, I display them each on their own. These hutches have leaded glass that my uncle put in himself...they're really quite special because of all the love he put into them. Since they have a small ledge for dishes to rest in "display mode", I've always used these in a very symmetrical fashion, with all six plates (side-by-side) on display and a few of the other place setting pieces below them. 

I decided to do something completely different this time, as you can see above. By displaying the dishes in stacks, I can have more of my dishes in the cabinets. And as a self-proclaimed dish junkie, you can see how this is a necessity. I have four sets of china, y'all...a bit ridiculous, I know. But, I'm always on the hunt for more (gulp!). This cabinet above has my transferware sets in it.

My biggest goal here was to keep two "columns" of items on display and nothing in the middle.

PLEASE NOTE: Although my shelves are glass, these cabinets were custom-designed by my uncle to be heavy-duty dish holders. They've withstood the weight of stacks and stacks of plates for over 50 years now!

In my other cabinet, I did my other two sets of china, along with my chargers and a couple of serving pieces, as well. While this gives the cabinets a more casual feel (more butler's pantry-ish to me), I kind of wanted that vibe.

This has given a whole new life to these dishes...I was never able to display this many sets at a time. I only have a four settings of my blue and white dishes that my late aunt left me...so I never felt like I could display them since these hutches are designed to display six sets each. Now, they're out where I can enjoy them every time I pass by.

My yellow "wheat" dishes are kind of fun and kitschy. These came from another uncle.

I feel like I come by my complete passion for dishes naturally...obviously many family members loved dishes, too.

I think overall, my crystal pieces are my favorite. These also belonged to my uncle, who made these hutches, as I mentioned above. I can remember clinking them with the adults' glasses as a little girl around the dinner table at a holiday meal or Sunday dinner. I would have my very own bottle of sparkling cider to toast everyone with. I'm so hesitant to actually use these because they mean so much to me and I'd have a tough time if anything happened to them. My mom had these for years before they were passed down to me. She used them regularly, unlike my big chicken self. I was telling her how careful I was with them and how I was scared to use them. She laughed and told me that Uncle Butch used to run them through the dishwasher...and um, well, Waterford isn't exactly dishwasher-friendly, y'all, so they've definitely been put through the wringer. But these glasses just hold so many fond memories.

Amazingly, my Uncle Butch may have been more of a dish junkie than I am. This was only half of his collection (I have 30 of these glasses...gah!). Upon his death, my mother split the collection with two of his good friends so they'd have something special to remember him by.

You probably aren't here to read my endless dish stories...but just one more! ;) These Heritage Hall dishes were from some good friends of ours in Abilene, as well as a family member who passed away. Our friends increased this collection as both wedding and 10th anniversary presents to us, after they learned of my love for them (they own a great antique shop in Abilene, if you're ever in that area). These are the dishes I use the most, by far.

I'm happy I kept the "split" in the middle of my china cabinets...it works out perfectly when the doors are closed.

I thought it would be even more fun to share how some of my fellow bloggers have displayed their dishes, too. Check out more china cabinet fun below.

More China Cabinet Styling Ideas

• Yvonne from Stone Gable Blog has grouped all white dishes together.

• Bre from Average But Inspired also researched some fun ways to style a china cabinet. 

• Loving the pop of white dishes against this beautiful green china cabinet from Jennifer at Dimples and Tangles.

• Christy from Confessions of a Serial DIYer gave her cabinet a pop of blue to set off her dishes. 

• Loving the farmhouse style groupings in this cabinet from Dear Lillie. 

• Kris, from Driven by Decor, updated her built-in's back wall to make her dishes pop. Check out what she used! 

• These blue and white plates were used for a beautiful summer look in the china cabinet from Lucy over at Craftberry Bush. 

This beautiful grainsack-backed cabinet is the perfect setting for the lovely china pieces over at Grand Design Co. 

How do you like to display your dishes?