dining room with sideboard and chine cabinet

Generally speaking, the dining room is one of the most important parts of a home. It’s a special place where we gather with friends and family to catch up, share meals and make memories. Thus, this room should be adequately organized and decorated to accommodate a lively atmosphere. The best way to organize and maximize storage in your dining room is by investing in a quality sideboard or buffet. Dining room sideboards and buffets make it easy to stow away fine china, organize and display ornamental pieces, and serve meals to a large group of people. Read on for more tips on how to utilize these furniture pieces to the fullest for dining room organization.

What are Sideboards and Buffets?

The terms sideboard and buffet can, for the most part, be used interchangeably to refer to the same type of furniture piece. Both terms describe a furniture piece used for storage, particularly for use in the dining room. They can usually be found pushed against a wall, perhaps embellished with decor resting on the surface. While sideboards and buffets may have the same dining room storage and organization functionality, they are sometimes distinguished by these key features:

Sideboards: 

  • Short or no legs 
  • Plenty of storage space
  • Large cabinets
  • Sometimes used in other rooms, such as the kitchen

Buffets: 

  • Longer legs
  • Slightly less storage space
  • Smaller cabinets
  • Primarily used in the dining room

See the current selection of sideboards and buffets on the Star Furniture page to get a visual idea of some of the differences between the two.

How to Make the Most Out of Your Sideboard

Now that you have a clearer understanding of what sideboards and buffets are, here’s how to get the best use out of them for organization and storage in your dining room:

Maximize Dining Room Storage Capacity

Sideboards and buffets offer ample storage for plates and serving platters, the family silver, seasonal decor, and whatever else you may need to stow away. If you are mainly looking to use a sideboard for storage, make sure to shop around for pieces with large, spacious cabinets. From there, insert a wire shelf into each cabinet and you’ll double the storage capacity! If your sideboard has drawers, try tidying them up with organizational trays so that every item has its own place. 

Dining Room Sideboards to Display Decor 

The benefits of using a sideboard go beyond added storage space. Take advantage of additional surface area to display your favorite home and seasonal decor. There are so many options when it comes to decorating your sideboard. Try adding a statement lamp, indoor plant, or a small stack of books. Display smaller items on a decorative tray, adding a candle or bouquet of flowers to embellish. Some people decide to hang a mirror or artwork above their buffet to complete the look. The possibilities are endless when you bring your own personality into the decor!

Serve Large Meals in Your Dining Room with Ease 

During dinner parties and holiday meals your buffet is the star of the show! Not only will you have easy access to your formal dish-ware, but you’ll be able to use the surface of the sideboard buffet to serve food. When serving food to a larger crowd, make sure to establish a clear beginning and end of the buffet line to avoid confusion. 

Pro tip: Save utensils for last in the buffet line so that guests can easily grab them on their way out of line, rather than holding on to them as they serve themselves. 

Use a Sideboard to Fill Out the Room

In a larger dining room, an extra-long sideboard can fill out any empty space and add visual interest. Before shopping for a new sideboard, make sure to make note of design elements such as color, line and material. You’ll want to make an informed decision so that your new furniture blends nicely with the rest of the room.

Complete Your Dining Room with a Sideboard Buffet

If you’re looking for additional storage and decor options in your dining room, a sideboard might be the right option for you! At Star Furniture, we have an incredible selection of sideboards, buffets, and hutches.

You may also enjoy our article about how to arrange furniture in an awkward living room.