Buffet & Sideboards

The dining room is the classic spot, against a wall for serving and storage. But a sideboard is versatile, it works as a display surface in the living room, or as catch-all storage in a hallway or entryway.

Most stand 30 to 36 inches, about counter height. That puts the top at a comfortable level for serving food and makes it easy to reach into the drawers and cabinets below without stooping.

Whatever the dining room needs close at hand. Think dinnerware, table linens, serving pieces, candles, and wine accessories. The drawers handle the small things like silverware and napkins, and the cabinet sections take the platters and bowls.

Keep it equal to or shorter than the table. A sideboard that runs longer than the table starts to overwhelm the room. For a 72-inch dining table, something in the 60 to 72 inch range looks balanced.

Flat panels win on upkeep, since dust and grime have no grooves to settle into. Fluted fronts bring texture and depth to the piece, but the channels need the occasional brush or vacuum to stay clean. It is a small trade of maintenance for character.

A little moisture management helps. Tuck a silica gel packet or a small dehumidifier pouch inside the closed sections, and avoid storing damp or freshly washed linens in there. Cracking the doors open now and then lets the air circulate.

Usually not the low, wide ones, which are stable on their own. Taller or narrower models are worth securing with anti-tip brackets, especially in Hawaii, where seismic activity is worth keeping in mind.