Ok, I know you might think this is crazy, but I really think buffet hutches look sooooooooooo much better without the doors! And I’m going to prove to you why removing hutch doors is a great idea! Just check out the before and after on our most recent transformation. Hopefully you will be convinced the easiest way to update a hutch is to remove the doors!
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The Before
We got this old wooden hutch through an online auction for next to nothing. You probably aren’t surprised to read that since it really did look pretty awful!
The process – removing hutch doors
This is really an easy job so don’t be intimidated!
First, remove the doors with a screwdriver or drill. If there is vertical wood piece, remove it as well (sometimes they are screwed/nailed in, if not, use a saws-all). Second, fill the holes left by the screws/vertical piece with wood filler or Bondo (read about how to use Bondo here). Third, sand your filler/Bondo after it’s dry. Fourth, paint!
Now, more importantly, here is WHY you should do it!
5 reasons to remove hutch doors
- Create a more modern look – Hutch doors take up a lot of visual real estate on a buffet/hutch. If the piece is dated, the doors will certainly emphasize that. By removing the doors you take away a lot of that outdated style.
- Don’t hide your treasures – The doors on a hutch create a visual barrier to the pieces you have so lovingly collected over the years. Removing hutch doors lets you see those beauties in their full glory all the time!
- Show off your background style – One of our favourite things to do with a hutch is cover the back panel with a stunning paper, fabric or painted stencil pattern. Removing hutch doors will let that beautiful background be better seen a lot better!
- Encourage you to use – Don’t save your lovely dishes and serve ware for fancy occasions! Every day is special and having open shelves on a hutch encourages you to reach in and enjoy those pretty pieces more often.
- Storage – Removing the doors doesn’t reduce your storage. With the hutch doors removed, you don’t need to worry about trying to place your objects so they are centered in the little door windows. Just put all those goodies on your shelves in an aesthetically pleasing way and you’re good to go. All the no-so-pretty things can go below in the buffet.
The after
We painted this old beauty in Cottage Paint’s Country Manor. It is a beautiful warm grey that pairs so nicely with natural wood tones. The back panel of the hutch was already gorgeous wood paneling so we just cleaned it up. We replaced the hardware with oversized wooden know for a little extra charm.
What do you think of this transformation? Do you miss the doors? We certainly don’t! We hope next time you come across a dated buffet/ hutch you’ll consider removing hutch doors for a complete transformation. We’d love to hear what you think of this idea in the comments below!
I have a 50 yr old hutch that was my mom’s. I really want to update it and keep it in my family. I absolutly love the distressed black with wood top!! Unsure of taking the doors off?
Hi Kelly, even just painting it will go a long way! Good luck!
I have a very similar hutch and want the doors removed from the top. Does removing the vertical wood pieces for the doors impact the stability of the hutch?
I had the same thing in my mind because it’s a long piece and the wood is solid.
It depends on the construction of your piece but often it is just there to allow the doors to close.
Our hutch is 2 pieces. Thinking of getting rid of top part but looking at yours I may rethink! Yours turned out beautiful!
my husband is removing the doors from my hutch as I write this and oh how it opens it up! I’m not painting it as It was a gift from a friend who has passed away and I would like to preserve the beautiful wood. I have my yellow ware bowls and some odds and ends displayed in it and already I can see how open and beautiful it is. I’m so excited to fill it with treasures!
I have a built in hutch currently. (Dated Before 1947) I did remove the doors. I now regret that because I’ve got to dust more frequently. I’m thinking to relocate it to our cottage so we will see how useful it becomes.