Sideboards 101: What They Are & How to Choose

A sideboard is a versatile, practical storage piece of furniture that has both decorative and functional uses in the home. Sideboards are often used in restaurants as a surface for food service or decorative displays. A sideboard can be used anywhere in the house to help organize and improve the purpose and style of any space, even if it’s usually found in the dining area.

What Is a Sideboard?

A sideboard is a piece of furniture with a flat top, usually supported by short legs or a base, with a height at or slightly below the waist. Most sideboards come with drawers and doors to hold household items such as cutlery, silverware, and cutlery. Sideboards are not only functional, but also practical. They can also have a unique and interesting design that complements any home interior style.

Sideboards are similar to buffet tables and bookcases, but have some distinctive features. Bookcases, buffet counters, and sideboards are similar in shape; However, sideboards typically have shorter or no legs and are lower off the ground than buffet cabinets, which may have longer legs and a taller profile.

A bookcase is more like a modern sideboard. Compared to sideboards, bookcases have a lower profile and a sleeker, more streamlined look. Sideboards are traditionally associated with dining rooms, while bookcases are always associated with more formal settings, such as living rooms and offices.

The Purpose of the Sideboard

A sideboard is a versatile piece of furniture that can be used in almost any room in your home.

• Storage: Sideboards come in a variety of configurations with drawers, shelves and doors. They can be used to store glassware, cutlery, linens, games, electronics, and other household items. Some sideboards include open and closed storage sections.
• Display: The flat top of the sideboard is perfect for displaying items such as cutlery, artwork, sculptures, photographs, and vases.
• Waiter during meals: A restaurant sideboard is the best height to place and display food. This frees up space in the middle of the table to decorate the table and allows for additional guests to be seated.
• Entertainment Center: In the living room, the sideboard can be used as an entertainment area. They can provide the foundation for televisions and sound systems, as well as storage areas for media equipment, DVDs, game consoles, and other entertainment accessories.

• Home bar: Perfect for storing bottles, bar utensils and glasses, the sideboard creates your own personal home bar area in the living room and dining room. Some even come with a protective top made of mirrors, granite, or marble slabs to protect the top of the sideboard from accidental spills.
• Entryway tidying: In entryways, foyers, and hallways, sideboards can be used to organize household items such as dog leashes, hats, bags, keys, mail, gloves, and scarves. This makes these important items hidden yet easily accessible.
• Room dividers: Sideboards can be used as room dividers for open living areas, drawing boundaries between various functional areas with open spaces, rather than completely enclosing them.
• Workspace: Some modern sideboards come with fold-out countertops or integrated desks that double as workspaces. This facilitates the concealment and arrangement of the work area in the open-plan living area.
• Bedroom storage: A sideboard in the bedroom can be used to place a TV, create an appealing display, or store extra items like sheets or clothes.

Choose a Sideboard

Choosing the right sideboard for your room can be a daunting decision, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Consider the following suggestions to help you focus and choose the perfect item.

Measure Your Space

Determine the available space for your sideboard. Measure the length, width, and height of the space to determine the right sideboard size. Leave at least 24 inches of clearance around any possible sideboard for easy aisles.

Determine the Function of the Sideboard

Determine the main purpose of the sideboard to determine the best size and style choice for the sideboard. If you want a sideboard for holding food, choose one that is about 36 inches tall or similar to your countertop. This makes it easier to place and serve food. It would also be helpful if the sideboard had a protective top to prevent food, moisture, and heat damage.

For storage sideboards, look for sideboard options with ample storage space and optimal drawer, shelf, and cabinet configurations. Display sideboards need to have sides, flat tops.

Style & Aesthetics

Use a similarly styled sideboard to match or complement the existing style of the room’s furniture. Whether your space is modern, rustic, farmhouse, medieval or traditional, there’s a sideboard style to suit your taste. When choosing a sideboard that matches your décor, consider the style, color, and material.

Assess Your Storage Needs

First, determine what you want to store, and if you want a sideboard with storage potential, then which sideboard is best for your needs. Choose the appropriate storage configuration for the large and small items you want to store. Some sideboards have open storage compartments in the middle, perfect for storing attractive items, such as heirlooms you want to display. Other sideboards have enclosed storage space, which is best for storing unsightly but necessary items.

Materials and Finishes

Consider the materials used in the construction of a particular sideboard, and how it will wear out and complement your lifestyle. Wood, MDF, metal, and glass are common materials, each with a different degree of wear and damage. Sideboards with glass or marble features are prone to cracking and may not be suitable for certain places or busy, active homes. Some high-gloss stained parts show more marks and wear and tear and are more difficult to repair than painted or rustic finished parts.

Scale and Scale

Check that the size and proportions of the sideboard are proportional to the dimensions of the room and other furniture. The typical width of a sideboard is 60 inches, but if this size doesn’t fit, there are larger and smaller options.

The average height of a sideboard is 34-36 inches, making it ideal for serving food. When choosing a sideboard for installing a TV, keep in mind that many standard sideboards are too tall to watch TV comfortably. For best viewing, experts recommend mounting the middle of the TV 41 inches from the floor.

Sideboards vary in depth, but are typically 20-22 inches deep. Make sure that no matter where you place your sideboard, there is a 24-inch gap between it and other furniture. Make sure there is a 36-inch gap on particularly busy sidewalks.

Versatile Features

Some sideboards also have additional features that help expand your capabilities. They may include features such as pull-out trays, built-in wine racks, and integrated desk compartments.

Quality and Durability

Invest in a piece that is well-made, durable, and retains its character. Consider the materials used in the construction as well as the quality of the hardware, workmanship, and design.

Budget

Determine your budget before buying a sideboard. This will help you narrow down your options and choose the pieces that fit your budget. You can save money by buying a sideboard during the sale period or looking for non-branded options. Synthetic wood sideboards are usually less expensive than solid wood sideboards, but they are not as durable and will not last as long.

Personal Preference

When it comes to choosing a sideboard that matches your style, trust your personal preferences. In the long run, choosing a style based on your preferences may be happier than choosing a style as you see fit.