Storing Formal Dinnerware So That You Utilize Your Everyday Space Effectively

The holidays are here, which means for many, it’s time to pull out the formal china. Or maybe not. Depends on whether you’re staying home, going to friends or relatives, or choosing not to use the “good stuff.”

So where is your china stored? In a breakfront or china cabinet, still in boxes from the last move (mine is), or in the kitchen cabinets where you’re always telling family members to be careful of the good china.

One storage solution for the other 363 days of the year would be to use hat boxes, which could be stacked (on the dining room floor or on top of a cabinet) as a decorative, yet functional use. Another option is to use that hard-to-reach space in and above the kitchen cabinets OR store the china in zippered, padded containers. (Remember to place bubble wrap or some form of cushioning between each plate and dish.) Since most people tend to use it to infrequently, storing it up high accomplishes two functions: The china has a home and you’re utilizing previously unused space.

My mom recently suggested I pull out my china and use it everyday (you know, the china that is still packed in boxes from my last move). Not a bad idea, except that it doesn’t really go with my decor and I believe it needs to be hand washed. But we all know that when you have kids, handwashing is very, very low on the priority list and who has the time? Not me. Although I wouldn’t be opposed to making time at some point, right now I simply choose not to.

If you happen to have holiday-specific china that requires storage throughout the years, try these pretty containers.