Like most side pieces, the sideboard doesn’t always get its due. A long, low storage piece that usually takes up residence in the dining room, sideboards are often typecast as serving buffets. However, out on hiatus from their food-hosting duties, sideboards in a living room can be a revelation — especially if your collecting tendencies run a bit hoarder-esque. Here, we spotlight the oft-overlooked sideboard buffet and give you a myriad of reasons why you should consider factoring one into your living room.
What is a sideboard?
A sideboard buffet is a storage piece that is frequently incorporated in dining rooms or living rooms for storing items such as dishes, table linens, or silverware. It is most often situated against a wall and is characterized by its long, narrow design with cabinets and drawers for storage. Sideboards can be made of an assortment of different materials. Wood sideboards are most common, but it is also possible to find them crafted of metal, cane, and plaster. In line with these different materials, sideboards can come in various styles, ranging from traditional to modern. In addition to storage, sideboards can also serve as decorative pieces, often featuring intricate carvings, gilded finishes or other designs on their surfaces.
Why you should use a sideboard in your living room
There are many reasons to use a sideboard in a living room, with the primary among them being storage. A sideboard — also commonly known as a credenza — is essentially a free-standing cabinet that conceals whatever is placed inside of it. That said, a sideboard can also support a whole host of other needs, including room definition and more.
Media cabinet
Perhaps the most common living room use for a sideboard is a media cabinet. A sideboard provides a place for a TV to sit, and also offers storage below for items like remotes and cables, as well as movie night essentials like blankets. While there are consoles that are crafted specifically as media sideboards, in general, any sideboard will work.
A dining room segue
Many living rooms are open to a home’s dining room. In these instances, a sideboard can provide a natural definition between the living and dining rooms. Styling one as a bar can further smooth the transition, as bars are commonly found in both dining and living rooms.
Toy storage
If you have little ones — and their toys — underfoot, a sideboard can be a great way to instate order. Use one to stow Lego, stuffed animals, games, and art supplies. A sideboard with a mix of drawers and cabinets can be ideal in these circumstances since they’ll accommodate both large and small toys, but outfitting cabinets with pull-out baskets can also work as a solution.
What should you look for when purchasing a living room sideboard?
When purchasing a living room sideboard, you should consider the material, size, style and purpose of the sideboard.
Material
When it comes to material, consider how your sideboard will be used. A wood sideboard, for instance, will be fairly durable and withstand a lot of everyday use — including use from kids. A brass sideboard, however, will be more delicate and prone to scratching, making it a better option for a purpose that will not receive everyday use. Common materials for sideboards include solid wood, laminate, and metal. If you’re having trouble deciding, consider wood. It’s favored for its natural beauty and grain variations, as well as its longevity, range of tones, and finishes.
Size
As with any piece of furniture you bring into your home, it’s important to assess what size you need. Sideboards are typically long and narrow, with most clocking in at about 60” long. If you need a piece shorter than that, size will be an essential detail to make note of.
Purpose
You should also consider the purpose of your sideboard. Sideboard buffets can act as a storage cabinet for products such as glassware, crockeries, napkins, and tablecloths. Alternatively, they can be used to display items such as books, photographs, and decorative items. In sync with its purpose, it’s wise to take inventory of a piece’s drawer / cabinet / shelf configuration to see if it aligns with your needs. For instance, if you’re using a sideboard as a media credenza, you may want to opt for more open interior cabinet space than drawers to accommodate taller electronic items like speakers and game consoles.
Style
Finally — and perhaps most importantly — you’ll need to put some thought into what style of sideboard you want. Sideboards can be procured in virtually every style, from Spanish Baroque to Postmodern. Determine what style best suits your living room, and use those styles as a jumping-off point when shopping. It is worth keeping in mind that more antiquated styles are less likely to have all of the modern storage conveniences. So if those are especially important to you, you may want to look for revival styles rather than authentic antiques.
What are alternatives to the sideboard?
If you don’t have a sideboard and are you’re on the hunt for alternative storage options for your living room, there are several other furniture pieces that can function similarly.
Console
One alternative is to use a console table. Console tables are similar in design to a sideboard but they’re typically narrower and have no closed storage. Since a console is a table and not a storage piece, its purpose is more limited. Typically, they’re used to display decorative items or to store small items such as catchalls or books.
Secretary
If you’re interested in factoring storage and workspace into your living room, a secretary desk might be the perfect piece. A secretary desk is a type of desk that typically features a fold-down writing surface and storage compartments. It is often used as a writing desk, computer desk, or for general office work. Since most secretary desks have drawers below the desk portion, and many have a hutch above the desk portion, they’re the ideal mix of storage and function.
Dresser
With a shape similar to a sideboard, a dresser makes a great stand-in for a sideboard. The main difference is that, unlike a sideboard, which typically has cabinet space, or a mix of drawers and cabinet space, a dresser only has drawers. This can make a dresser less functional than a sideboard, but if you weren’t planning on storing tall, upright items, it may not be an issue.
Hutch
A hutch, which is composed of an open cabinet or shelf stacked atop a bank of drawers similar to a dresser, is another option that can be used in lieu of a sideboard. Since a hutch is tall, this option is ideal for living rooms that could use some visual height to add interest. In a living room, the hutch’s lower drawers can be utilized for storage while the upper portion can be used to display books, photographs, or other collectibles en masse.
Low altar table
If your main reason for integrating a sideboard into a living room is to visually fill a space, and not organization, a low altar table or bench is another option to consider. A low altar table can be a unique and unexpected focal point. Stack one with books or top it with a sculpture to add even more visual interest.
How do you decorate a sideboard?
In the event your sideboard is not being used to hold a TV, chances are you’ll need to style the top of it. To give it a mix of function and style, consider outfitting it with a table lamp. A table lamp is ideal for increasing the piece’s visual height and acts as a sculptural element as well. Another option that adds height is a leaned mirror or piece of art. While you can certainly hang a piece or wall art over your sideboard, leaning it can create a more cohesive vignette. Flank the piece with installed sconces to give the look even more presence. Lastly, try styling your sideboard like a bar. Use trays to corral spirits or arrange glassware atop one. Paired with a potted plant, you have an eye-catching arrangement that makes entertaining on a whim a cinch.
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Lead image design by Twelve Chairs Interiors / Photo by Joyelle West