How Do You Style a Kitchen Dresser? Vintage or Colourful – Which Look Would You Choose?

A kitchen dresser is one of those wonderful pieces of furniture that can completely change the feel of a room. Whether it's an old pine dresser that's been lovingly painted or a vintage glazed cabinet with years of character, the way you style it makes all the difference.

One of the questions I'm often asked in the shop is, "What should I put in my kitchen dresser?"

The answer is... there isn't a right or wrong way.

In fact, I recently had great fun proving exactly that with this beautiful duck egg blue glazed kitchen dresser. I styled it in two completely different ways, and I honestly couldn't decide which I preferred.

So, I thought I'd let you decide!

Look One – Fresh, Colourful and Full of Personality

The first look is all about colour.

I've been rather drawn to pink and blue together lately, and the soft duck egg blue of the dresser seemed the perfect backdrop for some of the latest designs from The Braided Rug Company.

The Strawberry Tulip baskets and matching jute coasters bring warmth, texture and just enough colour without overpowering the cabinet. Natural materials such as jute work beautifully with painted furniture because they soften the overall look while adding interest.

Rather than filling every shelf, I like to leave a little breathing space. Giving each item room allows the colours and shapes to stand out and creates a display that feels relaxed rather than cluttered.

This look would work particularly well in a country kitchen, garden room or anywhere you want to add a cheerful splash of colour.

Look Two – A Traditional Vintage Kitchen

For the second display, everything came out and the dresser took on a completely different personality.

This time I filled it with vintage enamelware, stoneware, old crockery and kitchen pieces collected over many years.

Immediately the cabinet felt as though it had always belonged in an old farmhouse kitchen.

Vintage collections tell a story. Mixing enamelware with stoneware and well-loved crockery creates layers of texture and history that simply can't be bought as a matching set.

If you enjoy hunting for treasures at shops like mine - check out my vintage home collection - antiques fairs, auctions or flea markets, a glazed dresser is the perfect place to display them while keeping everything together.

Tips for Styling a Kitchen Dresser

Whatever your style, here are a few simple ideas that help create a balanced display.

• Choose a colour palette and repeat it throughout the shelves.

• Vary the height of your pieces to create interest.

• Mix different textures such as ceramics, woven baskets, wood and glass.

• Don't feel every shelf has to be full—empty space is just as important.

• Add seasonal touches throughout the year rather than leaving the display the same all the time.

• Display the things you genuinely love rather than trying to copy someone else's home.

The Best Part? You Can Change Your Mind.

That's what I love most about a dresser.

The furniture itself stays the same, but it can look completely different simply by changing what's on the shelves.

One season it might be full of colourful baskets, flowers and fresh accessories. A few months later, it could become a cosy collection of vintage kitchenware ready for autumn and winter.

The possibilities are endless.

Which Look Would You Choose?

So now it's over to you.

Would you choose the colourful pink-and-blue display, or do you prefer the timeless charm of the vintage kitchen look?

I'd genuinely love to know.

Leave a comment below or pop into the shop and tell me which one gets your vote.

Love Jill x

Featured in this blog

• Duck Egg Blue Glazed Kitchen Dresser

• Strawberry Tulip Basket

• Strawberry Tulip Mini Basket

• Strawberry Tulip Jute Coasters