Decluttering challenge – Week 25 – China Cabinet

China cabinet and dining room table - Caption: Week 25 - China Cabinet - 52-Week Decluttering Challenge
52-Week Challenge15 Comments on Decluttering challenge – Week 25 – China Cabinet

Decluttering challenge – Week 25 – China Cabinet

This week’s task in the 52-Week Decluttering Challenge is one that’s bound to inspire debate on usefulness versus sentimentality. If you have a china cabinet, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Are you ready for china cabinet decluttering week?

Most of what we keep in our china cabinets doesn’t fall into the category of “necessary”. In fact, most of the contents of our china cabinet are wedding gifts and other gifts given to us over the years. Many of these items have been used very few times over the years. Extreme minimalists and declutterers would say “get rid of it all”. But I feel differently.

What is the 52-Week Decluttering Challenge?

In this year-long journey, we’re tackling one task at a time with the goal of cleaning up and organizing our homes. If you’ve just joined us, no worries. You can jump right in with this week’s challenge. Just check out the first two posts in the series to download your free checklists.

You can get easy access to all previous weekly posts on the main Decluttering page.

The “good dishes” debate

I prefer informal gatherings, so I’ve never been a fan of fine china and crystal. When we got married, I refused to pick out a china pattern because the practical side of me felt it was unnecessary extravagance. I’d also never want my kids, or any guest in my home, to feel bad if they broke a piece of expensive china.

Instead of overpriced china that’s sold by the place setting, we used some of our wedding gift money to buy a nice set of white china dishes. They cost a fraction of what fine china would cost, but they’re good quality. They’re also versatile enough to match any tablecloth or seasonal decor. And, they’re dishwasher safe! It’s a decision I’ve never regretted.

White china plate, side plate, cup and saucer - The "good" dishes

We use our “good dishes” two or three times a year – usually Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. Now, hard-core minimalists would say there’s no point taking up space in your home for something you’re only going to use a few times a year. I disagree. They’re not in the way and I like having them. The same goes for most of the contents of our china cabinet. It makes me feel good to get them out on special occasions.

But, I don’t hesitate to use the good dishes any time I need them. One day, they will probably become our everyday dishes. For now, I’ll be content to leave them in the china cabinet and get them out a few times a year.

With that out of the way, let’s get decluttering!


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Week 24 – China cabinet decluttering

Here’s a picture of our china cabinet. We bought it with money my husband’s grandparents gave us for a wedding gift. I’ve always liked the nice, warm feel of the wood. It adds a touch of coziness to our dining room.

China cabinet with pottery, crystal, china and knick-knacks - Caption: Week 25 - China Cabinet - A place to store special treasures

This week’s decluttering and organizing tips

Here are my tips and learnings from week 25.

  • If you have things you love, keep them, even if you only use them a few times a year when you have a large family gathering.
  • Don’t be afraid to use the good stuff whenever you feel like it. I have several nice pottery pieces that I use often. I’m a big fan of pottery because it’s more casual and durable than china.
  • If there are things you know you’ll never use, don’t be afraid to say good-bye, even if they were gifts. I had a crystal napkin holder that was given to us as a wedding gift. I’ve never used and never will. It was time to let it go.
  • Duplicates are a quick decluttering win. Why do I need 5 sets of salt and pepper shakers? Similarly, I had so many candle holders that we never use.

What I got rid of

In total, I said good-bye to 32 items this week.

  • 7 candle holders
  • 7 candles
  • 3 sets of salt and pepper shakers
  • 7 placemats
  • 1 reed diffuser
  • 1 doily
  • Crystal napkin holder
  • Cheeseboard set
  • 1 basket
  • 1 washcloth
  • A tea cozy
  • A novelty bowtie

So that’s week 25 done. In my china cabinet decluttering, I kept the things that make me smile, and got rid of items that I don’t want or need. Isn’t that what decluttering and simplifying is all about?

If you have friends or family members who could benefit from a little less clutter in their lives, please share this post and spread the word!

Clutter or a worthwhile luxury? Which side of the good dishes debate do you fall on? Tell us below.

Pinterest image: Wicker basket filled with flowers, white dishes on a shelf - Caption: 52-Week Declutter Challenge - Week 25 - China Cabinet
Hi there! I’m Michelle and I live in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. I am married with two young adult daughters. I’m a big fan of reducing waste, using less plastic, decluttering and simplifying life as much as possible.

15 thoughts on “Decluttering challenge – Week 25 – China Cabinet

  1. I have a 4-place setting of fine china, and a 12-place setting of Christmas china. I used to have the family for Christmas and used it all, but we’ve moved away and no longer entertain. The fine china is in my glass front cabinets and Christmas packed in its original boxes in the cabinet. Perhaps I should sell it, but we like it. Maybe this year I will get it out just for us.

  2. I don’t have a china cabinet and I’ve never owned a whole set of fancy dishes but I have some crystal pieces that belonged to my husband’s grandma. I use the crystal pieces frequently, even when it isn’t a fancy occasion.

    1. That’s great that you use the crystal often. The downside to having a china cabinet is things like that are put away instead of being someplace you will see them every day. I sometimes think I would use the stuff more if I saw it in the cupboard every day.

  3. We found boxes of China when we moved into our previous home. Now I need a cabinet to hold it all! And i agree with you. Some things just shouldn’t be donated or thrown out.

    1. Thanks Michelle. Personally, I love the look of a china cabinet so you can display things that are meaningful to you. I have my wedding bouquet in ours, along with some gifts and collectibles. I don’t get them out and use them, but they are meaningful to me and I like to look at them.

  4. Love that you have a dedicated china cabinet! I use the top most shelves of my dish cabinets and one bottom one to store my dinner dishes, glasses, and a collection of lovely pottery serving dishes made by my aunt and local potters. Confession: too many things break in my house for me to have to dig deep and declutter too many sets of half-finished wine glasses . . . 😬
    Thanks for sharing some awesome tips, Michelle, and an update on your decluttering journey! I always enjoy reading. 🙂

    1. Ha ha. I know what you mean about the breakage. I love my pottery and I have pottery wine goblets now that I love. They’re much more durable than glasses.

  5. I’m lucky that the house we moved into has a built-in china hutch, it contains china the previous owners had and left with me. I don’t think it’s worth anything, but I kept it because it looks pretty in the cabinet. Then, my sister-in-law gave me a stand-alone hutch with my mother-in-law’s china in it. I don’t need any of this, but now I hang on to it for sentimental reasons. Should I let go of the “stranger’s” china and use that space for other things? I’ve tried to find the pattern on Ebay, btw, but my set isn’t complete. I doubt if I could sell it for much.
    Thanks.

    1. It is a difficult thing, especially when the china has sentimental attachment. I’m lucky that my mum never had fancy dishes so it isn’t something I will have to deal with. I do have a china cup, plate and saucer that belonged to my grandmother. It’s in my china cabinet but it doesn’t take up much space.

      Thrift and antique stores are full of china and crystal. Younger generations don’t put the same value on it so there doesn’t seem to be much of a market for it. I read so many stories of people saying “what the heck do I do with this stuff?”

      You might be able to sell some of it on eBay to someone who needs a piece to complete a set or replace a broken piece.

I'd love to hear your ideas. Drop me a comment below.

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