Size:
A kitchen buffet with a hutch should be tall and eye-catching, but not look out of place. According to interior decorator Frances Merrill, the standard height for the buffet itself should be 30" to 36", but with the addition of the hutch the height will go closer to 60". The height of your hutch should be somewhat less than your ceiling, as a vertical hutch would normally have some accented scrollwork on top for aesthetics. For the width, the average seems to be around 60" but more or less can work just as well depending on the size of the room it will be added to.
Material:
Most hutches are made from either solid wood, or manufactured wood. Wood is arguably the best material for a kitchen buffet with a hutch as it is durable, readily available, found in numerous shades and colors, and can fit into a wide range of decor styles. Oak is a common light to medium colored material, while cherry or mahogany can bring deep and bold colors. For an eye-catching natural wood pattern, consider cedar or pine, or go with an exotic wood instead. As an alternative to wood, hutches can be found in metal with glass or metal accents, as well as bamboo or rattan which is technically a grass and not a type of tree or wood.
Construction:
When purchasing a piece of furniture, construction quality should always be something you consider. Since your kitchen buffet and hutch will be weight-bearing to some extent, you want to be sure the material and hardware used are of high quality. According to Katie Ridder, some of the best construction can be seen in vintage kitchen buffets. Dovetail and dowel joint construction was extremely common, with most of these buffets and hutches being perfectly usable decades after their original construction.
Aesthetic:
Since your kitchen buffet and hutch will be a centerpiece and very noticeable piece of furniture in the room, you want to ensure the aesthetic of the piece complements the rest of your decor. Buffets and hutches are perfect for rustic and French country homes, but also fit in exceptionally well with Victorian and other elegant decor styles. Robert Stilin says you should look for subtle accents in the woodwork, cabinetry, or shelving to help find the right aesthetic for your room.