Have you ever asked what a Hoosier cabinet is, Hoosier cabinets were very popular in the early 20th century, these functional kitchen centerpieces are not just for storage. In those days, most homes didn’t have the ability to install built-in kitchen cabinets, and since all the ingredients and appliances had to be stored somewhere, this led to the rise of functional Hoosier cabinets.
Today, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about Hoosier cabinets.
Explore the benefits and uses of Hoosier cabinets, and maybe one day, consider them as a beautiful retro accent in your kitchen.
Table of Contents
What Is A Hoosier Cabinet?
Hoosier cabinets provide upper and lower storage. It is also a countertop and integrated kitchen furniture. You can find cabinets with glass or flat doors or without doors.
Hoosier Materials
Hoosier cabinets are made entirely of hardwood, and oak is the most popular choice for collectors and other enthusiasts. After a while, however, oak trees became scarce and expensive, so manufacturers would settle for any wood type they could get their hands on.
As the popularity of Husserl cabinets starts to wane, you’ll see them painted in all the different colors to take away the focus on the quality of the wood used. It’s not uncommon to see a Husserl cabinet made from three or four different types of wood. Worktops or workstations are often made of china, which makes it easy to clean after chopping vegetables and preparing dinner. For those small kitchens with extremely limited storage space, a Hoosier cabinet is not a luxury but a necessity.
Why Were Hoosier Cabinets So Popular?
Hoosier cabinets were popular for a time before built-in cabinets and countertops ruled the kitchen, so it’s helpful to have a dedicated food prep area and built-in storage for the most-used items on hand. They are usually made of solid wood with metal or marble tops.
Some of the innovative features of Hoosier cabinets are built-in flour sieves and spice racks, with custom “ant-proof” glass jars, and about 40 inches of counter space, a rare luxury in a 1920s kitchen. Storage compartments for other staples like salt and sugar are also built-in and provide excellent storage for pots, pans, and dishes underneath.
Packing so much innovation into such a small space was revolutionary for its time, and Hoosier cabinets were seen as a great time-saver for overworked housewives who owned the Hoosier Manufacturing Company. The target of mass advertising campaigns.
In an era before modern home appliances and where nearly all cooking was done from scratch, Hoosier cabinets greatly improved the lives of the women who used them. It is estimated that at its peak, more than 10 percent of American households had a Hoosier cabinet in their kitchen.
Hoosier Cabinets Today
While they are not as popular as they used to be, there is still a need for elegant, beautiful Hoosier cabinets these days. Many old Hoosier cabinets can be found in museums, but antique dealers and collectors are simply obsessed with these iconic pieces from the early 20th century.
Restoration specialists have long polished them and sold them at a premium to homeowners looking to leave a piece of history in their homes. And, these nostalgic homeowners are willing to go to great lengths to make them look like they were in their 20s. They still wanted all the modern conveniences a kitchen has to offer today, but they wanted to mix and match with some rare furniture like Hoosier cabinets.
They don’t have to be just in old-fashioned kitchens or country farmhouses, these things can still fit in with some of the hippest and most modern kitchens. With the right eye on interior design, these things can see serenity in any home.
For a Husserl cabinet in relatively good shape, expect to pay close to $1,000 — possibly more. It’s not surprising to see a well-preserved antique Hoosier cabinet sell for thousands of dollars. However, for those bargain hunters, a good cabinet can be found for a few hundred dollars—you just need to know where to look.
How Difficult Is Hoosier Cabinet Restoration?
If you have an original Husserl cabinet that needs restoration, it will take work and a budget. In the long run, you’ll be glad you made the effort. Husserl cabinets are antiques. These cabinets are a part of American history and worth preserving.
Before you start, figure out if your Hoosier cabinets are worth fixing. The cabinet has been painted at the factory. At some point, the owner will repaint the cabinets. If your shoes are factory painted, do not strip the paint. The wood used to make the cabinets is of low quality. If you peel off the paint, it will damage the wood.
Can A Hoosier Cabinet Fit In A Tiny Home?
Mini-Hoosier cabinets are available for tiny homes. You can have a cabinet tailor-made for your tiny home. If you have an original cabinet, it will depend on your tiny home’s layout. It will either fit, or it won’t.
Conclusion
Hoosier cabinets are America’s contribution to kitchen design and decor. The design of cabinets has changed the American way of life. If you have an original Hoosier, save it. Among the furniture and antique collectors, a well-preserved original cabinet is worth $2,000.
If you want to buy a new Hoosier cabinet. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Cabinets are traditional, but that doesn’t mean they have to look to formal standards.
