Sideboards Buying Guide 2026

A sideboard is one of those rare pieces of furniture that effortlessly balances beauty with practicality. Whether you are looking to add extra storage to your dining room, create a stylish focal point in your living space, or simply bring a sense of order to a busy hallway, a well-chosen sideboard can do it all.
Once considered a purely traditional dining room staple, sideboards have evolved enormously in recent years. Today, you will find them in virtually every room of the home, from modern kitchens to contemporary home offices. With such a wide range of styles, materials, and sizes available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming — but it does not have to be.
This sideboards buying guide for 2026 walks you through everything you need to know, from understanding the ideal dimensions for your space to exploring the latest sideboard styles, storage solutions, and decor ideas. By the end, you will feel confident selecting the best sideboard for your home.

Understanding Sideboard Dimensions

Before you fall in love with a particular design, it is essential to get the measurements right. A sideboard that is too large will dominate a room, whilst one that is too small may look lost and fail to serve its purpose.

Ideal Dimensions for Different Rooms

As a general rule of thumb, a sideboard should occupy no more than two-thirds of the wall it sits against. This creates visual harmony and prevents the piece from feeling imposing.

Dining rooms: A standard dining room sideboard typically measures between 120 cm and 180 cm in width. If your dining table seats six or more, lean towards the larger end to maintain proportion.
Living rooms: A compact sideboard of 90 cm to 130 cm works well in most living rooms, offering storage without overwhelming the space.
Hallways: Slim-profile sideboards (often called console-style sideboards) measuring 30–40 cm in depth are ideal for narrow hallways, providing a surface for keys and post without blocking foot traffic.

Always allow at least 90 cm of clear floor space in front of the sideboard so that drawers and cupboard doors can open comfortably.

Height Considerations for Functionality

Most sideboards sit between 75 cm and 90 cm tall, which aligns comfortably with dining table height and allows the top surface to be used for serving food, displaying accessories, or housing a lamp. If you plan to use the sideboard beneath a wall-mounted television, opt for a lower unit (around 50–60 cm) to keep the screen at a comfortable viewing height.

Types of Sideboards

Understanding the key sideboard styles available will help you narrow down your choices quickly.

Traditional Sideboards

Traditional sideboards are characterised by their rich wood finishes, ornate detailing, and timeless silhouettes. Often crafted from solid oak, mahogany, or walnut, these pieces bring warmth and elegance to classic or period-style interiors. Expect features such as turned legs, carved handles, and panelled cupboard doors. Traditional sideboards pair beautifully with heritage colour palettes and antique or country-style furnishings.

Modern Sideboards

Modern sideboards embrace clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and a pared-back aesthetic. They are typically finished in matte lacquers, natural wood veneers, or bold two-tone colour combinations. Sleek metal legs — often in brushed brass or black — are a hallmark of contemporary design and lend the piece a light, airy appearance. Modern sideboards are the perfect companion for Scandi-inspired, industrial, or minimalist interiors.

Contemporary Sideboards

Sitting between traditional and modern, contemporary sideboards blend classic craftsmanship with up-to-date design sensibilities. You might find a solid wooden sideboard with clean, unfussy lines, or a unit that combines warm timber with glass panels or ceramic handles. Contemporary sideboards offer tremendous versatility and tend to work well across a variety of interior styles, making them an excellent investment piece.

Sideboard Storage Solutions

One of the most important considerations when choosing a sideboard is what you intend to store inside it. Getting the balance of storage right will ensure the piece earns its place in your home every single day.

Drawers vs. Cupboards

Both drawers and cupboards have their strengths, and the best sideboards often combine the two.
Drawers are ideal for smaller items such as cutlery, table linens, candles, remote controls, and stationery. They provide easy access and keep contents neatly separated. Look for dovetail-jointed drawers with smooth runners — these are a sign of quality craftsmanship and will stand up to daily use.
Cupboards offer flexible storage for bulkier items — think serving platters, board games, bottles of wine, or files and paperwork. Adjustable internal shelving adds further versatility, allowing you to configure the space according to your specific needs.

Utilising Open Shelving

Many contemporary sideboards incorporate open shelving alongside closed storage. These open sections provide a wonderful opportunity to display curated objects — books, plants, candles, or sculptural ceramics — whilst keeping the unit from feeling too heavy or closed-off. If you opt for a sideboard with open shelving, be realistic about your tidiness habits; open storage looks its best when contents are thoughtfully arranged rather than cluttered.

How to Choose a Sideboard

Key Factors to Consider

When deciding how to choose a sideboard, keep the following in mind:

Room size and layout: Measure carefully before you browse, and consider how the sideboard will interact with other furniture in the room.
Functionality: Decide what you will use it for — serving food, storing crockery, housing the television, organising paperwork — and let this guide your choice of storage configuration.
Budget: Sideboards range from affordable flat-pack options to handcrafted heirloom pieces. Set a realistic budget but bear in mind that a well-made solid wood sideboard is a long-term investment.
Durability: Consider who will be using the sideboard and how often. Families with young children may prefer a robust solid oak finish over a more delicate lacquered surface.

Style Preferences: Wood Types and Finishes

Wooden sideboards remain the most popular choice for British homes, and it is easy to see why. Natural wood brings warmth, texture, and character to any interior.

Oak is the nation's favourite, offering a warm golden tone that complements both traditional and modern schemes. It is highly durable and ages beautifully.
Walnut delivers a darker, richer finish with a luxurious grain pattern, ideal for sophisticated or moody interiors.
Pine is a more affordable option with a lighter, rustic appearance that suits cottage or farmhouse-style rooms.
Painted finishes — in shades such as navy, sage green, or warm white — are enormously popular for adding a focal point of colour to a neutral room.

Sideboard Decor Ideas

A sideboard's top surface is a canvas for creative expression, and getting the styling right can elevate the entire room.

Enhancing Aesthetics with Accessories

A classic approach is to work in odd numbers — a trio of objects at varying heights creates visual interest without appearing cluttered. Consider combining a table lamp (which also adds practical lighting) with a vase of fresh or dried flowers and a piece of artwork propped against the wall behind. Mirrors above a sideboard are a perennial favourite in British homes, reflecting light and making a space feel larger.

Practical Decor Tips for Functionality

Do not sacrifice practicality entirely in the pursuit of aesthetics. If your sideboard is in the dining room, keep a tray on top for candles and condiments that can be easily moved to the table. In a hallway, a small dish or bowl for keys is both stylish and useful. Plants add life and colour whilst requiring minimal space — trailing varieties such as pothos or string of pearls look particularly attractive cascading from the top of a sideboard.

Sideboard Placement Ideas

Best Locations for Optimal Use

Dining room: Positioned against the wall opposite your dining table, a sideboard serves as a practical buffet surface for entertaining and keeps crockery and glassware within easy reach.
Living room: Placed beneath or beside the television, a sideboard provides media storage whilst maintaining a smart, cohesive appearance.
Hallway: A slim sideboard near the front door creates a welcoming first impression and provides a practical drop zone for everyday essentials.
Bedroom: A low sideboard used as a dressing unit or bedside storage can be a stylish alternative to a conventional chest of drawers.

Creating Flow in Your Space

When positioning your sideboard, think about the flow of the room. Ensure there is sufficient clearance around the piece for comfortable movement, and consider how it relates to the other furniture. A sideboard placed directly opposite a sofa should be proportionate in scale — a very long sideboard facing a compact two-seater can feel unbalanced. Use a rug to anchor the sideboard within its zone, and ensure any artwork or mirror hung above it is centred precisely.

Conclusion: Finding the Best Sideboards for Your Home

Choosing the right sideboard is a deeply personal decision, but with the right knowledge, it becomes an enjoyable one. By considering the dimensions of your space, the style of your interior, the storage you require, and how you plan to decorate and position the piece, you can find a sideboard that will serve your home beautifully for years to come.
At FW Homestores, we offer a carefully curated range of sideboards — from classic wooden sideboards steeped in traditional craftsmanship to sleek modern and contemporary designs that suit the way we live today. Explore our collection and discover your perfect piece.

FAQs on Sideboards Buying Guide

1. What is the standard size of a sideboard?
Most sideboards measure between 90 cm and 180 cm in width, 75 cm to 90 cm in height, and 35 cm to 50 cm in depth. The ideal size will depend on the dimensions of your room and the wall space available. Always measure carefully before purchasing.
2. Which room is a sideboard best suited to?
Sideboards are most commonly used in dining rooms, but they work brilliantly in living rooms, hallways, and even bedrooms. Their combination of surface space and storage makes them one of the most versatile pieces of furniture available.
3. What is the difference between a sideboard and a buffet?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but traditionally a buffet is slightly taller and deeper than a sideboard. Both offer similar storage and display functions. In modern usage, the distinction has largely disappeared, and both names refer to the same style of low, long storage unit.
4. How do I style the top of a sideboard?
For a balanced look, combine objects of varying heights — such as a lamp, a vase, and a framed print or mirror. Work in groups of three and leave some breathing space between objects. Avoid overcrowding the surface, as this can make even the most beautiful sideboard look untidy.
5. Are wooden sideboards better than those with painted finishes?
Both have their merits. Solid wooden sideboards are exceptionally durable and develop character over time, whilst painted finishes offer a more decorative, bespoke look and are ideal for adding a pop of colour to a neutral interior. The best choice depends entirely on your personal style and the existing scheme of your room.