How to Set Up a China Cabinet

Purchase plate stands (which can double as book stands) for each shelf in your cabinet (see Resources). Place a stand at the back of each shelf. If you have many more shelves than plates, only purchase enough plate stands for your top middle section. You may not need to purchase plate stands as some china cabinets are already equipped with plate grooves for your china plates. Simply lay your plate upright in the groove and lean against the wall. Display your most ornate and delicate china plates on these plate stands.

Stack one full place setting into one pile. Start with the biggest plate and work your way down to the smallest (dinner plate, then salad plate, then tea saucer plate). Finally, place your tea cup on top of the plates. Place this arrangement in the front center of each shelf in your china cabinet except for the bottom middle shelf.

Place one Champagne flute glass on either side of the stack of plates in your middle section only (so there will be a total of two glasses on each shelf). Then place a drinking glass on either side of the stacks of plates in your left and right display cases. There should be two glasses on every shelf except for the bottom middle shelf. You can also place the glasses (one Champagne flute and one drinking glass) on the left side of each plate stack and move the plate stack over slightly to the right as it would look on a dinner table.

Place one piece of all of your other types of china, including a platter, bowls and gravy boat, on the bottom middle shelf.

Store all of your excess china pieces in the enclosed cabinets or shelves in the bottommost section of the china cabinet.