Sideboards and buffets are some of the most useful furniture you can own. They hide serving dishes, give you a surface for a coffee station or a holiday spread, and anchor a dining room or living room wall. The two names get used interchangeably, but there are small differences that can help you pick the right piece. This guide covers sizing, materials, storage and styling, plus our favorite pieces at Canva Home, all with free shipping in the contiguous US.
Sideboard vs. Buffet: What's the Difference?
Today most retailers use the terms loosely, but traditionally:
- A buffet is a dining-room piece. It's usually a bit taller and often sits on shorter legs or a solid base, with cabinets for dishes, linens and serving pieces. The top is meant for laying out food.
- A sideboard is typically longer and lower, often on raised legs, and works in almost any room: dining room, living room, entry, or as a TV stand or coffee bar.
- A credenza is a close cousin, usually low with sliding or flat doors, and is popular in mid-century and office spaces.
The bottom line: choose by size, storage and style rather than by the name on the tag.
How to Size a Sideboard or Buffet
In a dining room
- Length: Aim for a piece about two-thirds the length of your dining table, or at least 6 inches narrower than the wall on each side.
- Height: 30 to 36 inches is standard. Slightly higher than your table (about 30 inches) makes serving easy.
- Clearance: Leave at least 36 inches between the buffet and the back of a pulled-out dining chair so people can walk past, and 42 to 48 inches if it's a main traffic path.
- Depth: 15 to 20 inches holds dinner plates and platters. In tight dining nooks, look for 13 to 16 inches.
In a living room
- Behind a sofa, match the sideboard's height to the sofa back or a little below it.
- Used as a TV stand, choose one at least a few inches wider than the TV, with a top around 24 to 32 inches high.
- Under art or a mirror, keep the piece about two-thirds the width of the wall art group.
Measure before you buy
- Measure the wall width and subtract at least 6 inches on each side.
- Check for heat vents, outlets and window sills.
- Open doors and drawers in your head: hinged doors need clearance in front, so sliding doors are better in narrow spaces.
- Tape the footprint on the floor and live with it for a day.
Materials: What to Look For
- Solid wood (pine, rubberwood, oak): Durable and repairable, with natural grain. Pine is lighter and great for rustic and farmhouse looks.
- Engineered wood with veneer or laminate: Affordable, stable, and available in many finishes. Look for a thick top and solid back panel.
- Metal accents: Iron handles, rivets and metal legs add an industrial edge and strength.
- Glass and rattan: Glass-look or woven doors keep a large piece from feeling heavy and let you show off glassware.
Whatever you choose, anchor tall or heavy pieces to the wall with the included anti-tip hardware.
Storage Features That Matter
- Adjustable shelves fit tall pitchers, stacked plates or small appliances.
- Drawers keep flatware, napkins and remotes organized.
- Wine and glass racks turn a buffet into a home bar.
- Cord cutouts and charging stations make a sideboard work as a coffee bar or media console.
Our Favorite Sideboards and Buffets
1. Thorne 55" Pine Wood Buffet Cabinet with 3 Doors – Best Solid Wood Buffet
Thorne pairs real pine with a black sand-highlight finish that lets the grain show through. Iron handles and rivet details give it an industrial farmhouse look, and three doors hide plenty of serving pieces.
2. Onyx 62.6" Black Buffet Sideboard with 4 Doors – Most Storage
Long and low, Onyx has four doors and room for linens, small appliances, board games and party supplies. The black finish looks sharp in modern dining rooms and makes a bold coffee-bar base.
3. Rosemary 45" Farmhouse Coffee Bar Sideboard with 3 Doors – Best for Smaller Dining Rooms
At 45 inches, Rosemary fits dining nooks, kitchens and entries. The soft light-oak finish and plank-style doors give it relaxed farmhouse charm, and it doubles as a coffee station.
4. Harlow Mid-Century Console Sideboard with Cabinets – Best Mid-Century Modern
Harlow works as a small sideboard, entry console or coffee bar. Two drawers and two cabinets hide the clutter while the open shelf shows off a few favorite pieces.
5. Beatrice LED Wine Bar Cabinet with Glass Rack and Charging Station – Best Home Bar
Beatrice is a 55-inch bar and coffee station with remote-controlled color LED lighting, hanging stemware racks and a bottle rack, plus a charging station. It's the showpiece for entertainers.
Styling Tips
- Layer art and a lamp. Hang a mirror or art centered above the piece, 6 to 10 inches above the top, and add a lamp at one end.
- Play with height. Group a tall vase, a medium stack of books and a low bowl for balance.
- Create a station. A tray with a coffee maker, mugs and syrups, or a tray with glasses and a few bottles, makes the top useful every day.
- Leave breathing room. Keep about a third of the surface clear so you can set down serving dishes when guests come over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a sideboard or a buffet better for a small dining room?
A shorter, shallower sideboard (40 to 48 inches long and 13 to 16 inches deep) usually works best. Sliding or narrow doors help in tight spaces.
How much space should be between a buffet and a dining table?
Leave at least 36 inches between the buffet and the table edge, and more if it's a busy walkway.
Can a sideboard be used as a TV stand?
Yes. Choose one that's wider than your TV, check its weight capacity, and look for cord cutouts in the back.
How high should art hang above a sideboard?
Hang it so the bottom edge sits about 6 to 10 inches above the top of the sideboard.
What's the difference between a buffet and a hutch?
A hutch adds an upper cabinet or open shelving on top of a buffet base, so it's taller and shows off dishes.
Does Canva Home offer free shipping on sideboards?
Yes. Every sideboard and buffet at Canva Home ships free in the contiguous US.
Find the Right Fit
Whether you call it a sideboard or a buffet, the right piece adds storage, a serving surface and style to your home. Measure your wall, plan your clearance, and pick the storage that fits how you live. Shop all Canva Home furniture with free shipping in the contiguous US.