TIPS & IDEAS

A sideboard is one of the hardest-working pieces of furniture you can own. Originally built to store and serve in the dining room, today it does duty as a media console, an entryway catch-all, a home bar, and a living-room storage piece — all while hiding clutter behind clean doors and drawers. This guide explains where a sideboard or buffet works best, how to size one correctly, the materials and finishes worth knowing, and the storage features that make the difference. Browse our full range of sideboards & buffets as you read.

Sideboard, Buffet, or Credenza — What's the Difference?

The terms overlap, and most modern pieces blur the lines:

• Buffet: traditionally a dining-room piece for serving and storing dishes, often slightly taller with legs.
• Sideboard: a broader term for a long, low storage cabinet — used anywhere in the home.
• Credenza: typically low and sleek with sliding or hinged doors, rooted in mid-century design.

In practice, choose by function and proportions rather than the label.

Where to Use One

• Dining room: store linens and serveware, and use the top as a serving station.
• Living room: a low sideboard makes an excellent media console — pair or compare with our TV stands & media consoles.
• Entryway & hallway: a slim sideboard or console table corrals keys, mail, and bags.
• Home bar: models with a wine rack and glass doors, like our pine wood sideboard with glass doors and a wine rack, double as a bar cabinet.

Sizing & Proportions

• Height: dining buffets usually stand 34–38 inches tall for comfortable serving. As a media console, aim for a top a few inches above your seated eye line to the TV.
• Width: in the dining room, keep the sideboard a bit shorter than the table; as a TV console, choose one wider than the screen.
• Depth: 16–20 inches is typical — deep enough to store platters, shallow enough not to crowd a walkway.
• Clearance: leave room for doors and drawers to open fully.

Materials & Finishes

• Sintered stone tops: heat-, scratch-, and stain-resistant — ideal for a serving surface or a bar.
• Solid & engineered wood: warm and sturdy; light woods like birch suit Scandinavian and Japandi rooms, while walnut reads richer and more traditional.
• Glass doors: display glassware or curated pieces while keeping dust out.
• Metal accents: brass or gold hardware and bases add a contemporary, elevated touch.

Storage Configurations

Think about what you'll actually store before you choose a layout:

• Doors with adjustable shelves: the most flexible option for dishes, electronics, or odds and ends.
• Drawers: best for linens, flatware, and small items you want to keep tidy.
• Mixed layouts: a row of drawers over cabinets covers the most use cases.
• Wine racks: a built-in rack turns a sideboard into a serving-and-bar piece in one.

Styling Your Sideboard

Keep the top balanced but not cluttered: anchor one end with a lamp or a stack of books, add a piece of art or a mirror above, and leave open space for serving or setting things down. In a living room, echo the wood tone or metal finish elsewhere in the space to tie the room together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a sideboard be used as a TV stand?

Absolutely. A low sideboard makes a stylish media console with hidden storage — just make sure it's wider than your TV and the top height is comfortable for viewing from your sofa.

How tall should a dining-room sideboard be?

Most buffets are 34–38 inches tall, which is comfortable for serving and usually close to standard table height.

What's the difference between a sideboard and a buffet?

A buffet is traditionally a dining-room serving cabinet, often a bit taller with legs, while "sideboard" is a broader term for a long, low storage cabinet used anywhere. Functionally they're very similar today.

How do I choose between drawers and cabinet doors?

Drawers suit small items like flatware and linens; cabinets with adjustable shelves are better for dishes, electronics, or bulky items. A mix of both is the most versatile.

Find Your Perfect Sideboard

Whether you need a dining-room buffet, a living-room media piece, or an entryway catch-all, there's a configuration that fits. Explore our full collection of sideboards & buffets to find yours.