Have you ever wondered, “What are sideboards?” These handy pieces of furniture have been a dining room mainstay for years, bringing both form and function to the table. As dining room furniture, sideboards provide handy storage and function as a fashionable buffet table. With their clean lines and hidden storage compartments, sideboards bring elegance to your dining area without having anything out in the open.
From Dining Rooms to Today’s Living Spaces
Sideboards are elegant and functional furniture that have decorated dining rooms for centuries. Originally designed to provide additional storage and serving space for plates, these handy pieces have evolved into functional and decorative pieces in modern homes.
Modern Versatility
Sideboards have come a long way today and are found in all rooms in the house. Their minimalist yet spacious design makes them a practical and stylish storage solution for various spaces:
- Living rooms – Perfect for storing media equipment and decorative items.
- Home offices – Ideal for organizing office supplies and paperwork.
- Entryways – Functioning as stylish consoles for keys, mail, and everyday essentials.
- Bathrooms – Repurposed for towel and toiletry storage.
With a wide range of styles, from classic wooden to sleek contemporary metal finishes, sideboards can be applied to any décor style and provide essential storage and display space.
The Difference Between Buffets and Sideboards
Sideboards and buffets are both multi-functional furniture that provide additional storage space in dining rooms and living spaces. While they are alike, there are a few slight differences that set them apart. Sideboards typically have shorter legs and a more compact look, and are ideal for small rooms and versatile placement in various rooms. Buffet tables, on the other hand, tend to have longer legs and a more open look, for serving food during parties.
Sideboards vs Buffets
While the terms “sideboard” and “buffet” are often used interchangeable, there are subtle distinctions:
- Sideboards tend to have shorter legs and a slimmer profile.
- Buffets tend to be taller and wider, often featuring enclosed storage
- Both serve the same function in the dining room, but sideboards are highly versatile and can also be used in entryways, living rooms, offices and even bathrooms.
Function and Storage
The primary purpose of a sideboard is to store extra dishes, cutlery, and other tableware. With its drawers, cabinets, and sometimes sliding doors, a sideboard has ample concealed space for storage.
Buffets, while also offering storage, are primarily used for serving food. Their top is usually broader, with room for serving dishes and platters during meals or parties. They also often include enclosed storage for tableware or decorative items.
Flexibility in Design
Both buffets and sideboards are available in different styles, ranging from basic modern styles with few lines to more intricate ones with ornate work. Which one to choose usually depends on how you plan to use it and how much space you have available in your living room or dining room.
Sideboards are especially versatile, as they can be utilized for storage, as a display shelf for decorative items, or as a stand for media equipment in living rooms. Their adaptability makes them a great addition to different areas of the home beyond the dining room.
The Enduring Popularity of Sideboards: Why They Are So Well-Loved?
Adaptation to Modern Living
Contemporary sideboards have been made to fulfill contemporary functions. In the living room, they can be used to store media devices, hold board games, or as a display for home furnishings. Sideboards are utilized in home offices by most as a stylish alternative to the traditional desk, providing a clutter-free workspace with built-in storage. Such versatility between rooms and functions keeps sideboards trendy in contemporary homes.
Aesthetic Appeal
Sideboards bring elegance to any space with their clean lines and high-end designs. They’re available in many materials including wood and metal, and from mid-century modern to rustic chic styles, so there’s a sideboard for every aesthetic. Some have adjustable shelves, sliding doors, or a combination of open and closed storage, so you can customize the piece to your needs without sacrificing style in your home.
What to Keep in a Sideboard: How to Maximize the Hidden Storage and Display Space?
Sideboards are multi-functional storage units for any space in your house. Their combination of drawers, cabinets, and top surfaces gives you enough space to store things functionally and display things for aesthetics. This is how you can get the best out of your sideboard’s hidden storage and display potential:
Hidden Storage Solutions
Utilize your sideboard’s cabinets and drawers as secret storage space. In the dining room, store tablecloths, cutlery, and serve dishes out of sight. For living room sideboards, utilize the space for media, board games, or additional blankets. Office sideboards can store supplies, files, and computer accessories. Adjustable shelves allow you to customize the interior space to meet your specific needs.
Maximizing Display Space
Your sideboard’s surface is great real estate for decoration. Create a beautiful vignette with different heights and textures. Display family pictures, artwork, or a collection of curios. In the dining room, use this space to serve dishes at dinner or as a buffet table for entertaining. For a functional touch, place a lamp or hang a mirror above to create ambiance in the room.
Balancing Functionality and Style
Remember that the key to a fashionable sideboard is achieving a balance between style and storage. Add decorative baskets or boxes to open shelves to conceal clutter and add visual interest. Rotate items on display seasonally to maintain fresh decor. By planning both the hidden and exposed areas of your sideboard, you’ll have a piece that’s as useful as it is stylish.
Selecting the Appropriate Sideboard: The Right Style, Size, and Material Consider
When choosing the right sideboard for your dining room or living room, start by assessing your planned and available use space. Measure the space you plan to use for the sideboard, width, and height. Consider how you plan to use this convenient piece of furniture to provide extra storage space, to use for serving, or to display decorative objects.
Style and Material Selection
Sideboards come in numerous styles, from minimalist modern sideboards with sleek lines to ornate traditional sideboards. Consider your existing décor and choose a sideboard that will complement the appearance of your room.
Materials contribute both to appearance and durability. Wood remains popular, with its warmth and versatility. To achieve a more contemporary appearance, choose sideboards with metal edging or glass inserts.
Storage Features and Customization
Inspect the storage areas of potential sideboards. Look for models with different configurations – drawers, cabinets, and adjustable shelves that best match your storage needs.
Sideboards with hidden storage or sliding doors to achieve a minimalist appearance are available. Choose features that can be customized, like removable wine racks or media equipment storage compartments, if these are required.
Overall, sideboards are practical and stylish furniture pieces that add form and function to your home. Whether used in the dining room to serve meals and store dishes, or elsewhere in the house for decoration and extra storage, sideboards bring form and function to any room. With various styles, materials, and configurations available, you can select the right sideboard to fit your decor and storage needs.
Mount Brook’s Modern Accent Cabinet: A Perfect Blend of Style and Functionality
For those seeking a contemporary sideboard that combines elegance with practicality, Mount Brook’s latest accent cabinet in dark green offers an exceptional solution. This modern piece features clean lines and a sophisticated matte dark green finish that adds a touch of luxury to any room.
What sets this cabinet apart are its distinctive fluted glass doors, complemented by elegant gold knob handles – a perfect combination of classic detailing and modern design.
Explore the full features and specifications on our product page and transform your space today with this stunning accent cabinet.