A good sideboard is one of those pieces of furniture that quietly does a lot of heavy lifting. It stores the bits and pieces you don't want on show, gives you a surface to style up with a lamp or a few ornaments, and ties a room together in a way that a shelf or a cupboard just can't.
The tricky part is working out which style actually suits your home. Sideboards come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and finishes, so it helps to have a clear idea of what you're after before you start browsing. Here are seven styles worth knowing about, along with some honest advice on where each one works best.
1. Modern Sideboards for a Clean, Pulled-Together Living Room
If your living room has a fairly contemporary feel, a modern sideboard is a natural fit. These tend to have smooth surfaces, straight lines and a simple colour palette. Think white gloss, matte grey or pale wood tones. They're designed to look good without shouting for attention, which is exactly what you want in a room that already has a lot going on.
From a practical side, most modern sideboards come with a combination of cupboards and drawers, so you've got somewhere to hide remote controls, phone chargers, board games or whatever else tends to pile up. The clean exterior means none of that clutter is visible, which makes the room feel calmer even when it's not particularly tidy behind the doors.
Have a look at our sideboards collection to see the full range.
2. Solid Wooden Sideboards for Lasting Quality
There's something about real wood furniture that just feels right. A solid wooden sideboard, whether it's oak, walnut, pine or mango wood, has a weight and warmth to it that you don't get from flat-pack alternatives. The grain is different on every piece, which gives it a bit of character that man-made materials struggle to match.
Beyond looks, wooden sideboards tend to be properly sturdy. They'll take the weight of a heavy lamp, a stack of books or a vase without wobbling, and they hold up well over years of everyday use. If you've got a dining room that needs more storage for plates, glasses or table linen, a wooden sideboard with deep shelves and a couple of drawers is a solid choice in every sense.
3. Rustic Sideboards for a Cosy, Lived-In Feel
Rustic sideboards have a very different energy to their modern counterparts. They tend to feature rougher textures, natural finishes and sometimes reclaimed wood or visible metal fixings. The overall effect is warm and inviting, like something you'd find in a country cottage or a converted farmhouse.
What works about this style is how forgiving it is. A few scratches or marks over time just add to the character rather than ruining the look. That makes a rustic sideboard a genuinely practical option if you've got kids, pets or just a busy household where furniture takes a bit of a battering. They look brilliant in hallways and dining rooms, where they can double as a serving surface when you've got people over for dinner.
4. Contemporary Sideboards for a Dining Room With Personality
If your dining area is somewhere you like to make an impression, a contemporary sideboard can pull its weight as a design piece as well as a storage solution. These are the ones with a bit more flair. You might find bold geometric patterns on the doors, contrasting colour panels, brass or black metal hardware, or a mix of textures across the surface.
The key with a contemporary sideboard is placement. Because they tend to be quite eye-catching, they work best against a plain wall where they've got room to breathe. Pair one with a simple mirror or a piece of wall art above it and you've got yourself a feature wall without any real effort. Inside, you'll still get the usual shelves and compartments for dinnerware, glasses and all the rest.
5. Sideboards With Drawers and Shelves for Serious Storage
Some sideboards prioritise looks. Others prioritise storage. And then there are the ones that give you a proper mix of both. A sideboard with multiple drawers and adjustable shelves is the go-to if you need to keep a lot of different things organised in one spot.
Drawers are great for cutlery, placemats, napkins and smaller items that tend to get lost in larger cupboards. Shelves behind closed doors handle the bulkier stuff like serving dishes, spare crockery or even paperwork if the sideboard lives in a home office or spare room. If your household generates a lot of "stuff" that needs a home, this is probably the most practical style on the list.
6. Sideboards With Glass Doors for a Touch of Display
Not everything you own needs to be hidden away. If you've got a few nice pieces of china, some interesting glassware or a collection you're proud of, a sideboard with glass doors lets you show them off while keeping them protected from dust and knocks.
Glass-fronted sideboards work particularly well in dining rooms and lounges where you want the furniture to feel a little more special. They catch the light in a way that solid doors don't, which can make a darker room feel slightly brighter and more open. Some designs use clear glass for full visibility, while others go for frosted or ribbed glass that gives a softer, more textured look. Either way, it adds an extra layer of interest to what might otherwise be a fairly plain piece of furniture.
7. Versatile Sideboards That Work Anywhere
If you're not sure which room your sideboard will end up in, or if you just want something that doesn't commit too hard to one style, a versatile mid-range design is your safest bet. These are the sideboards that sit comfortably in a living room, a dining room, a hallway or even a bedroom without looking out of place.
Look for a balanced mix of open and closed storage, a neutral finish that won't clash with existing furniture, and a size that works in more than one spot. The beauty of a versatile sideboard is that you can move it around as your home changes. What starts in the dining room might eventually end up in a spare bedroom or a home office, and a well-chosen piece will look just as good in its new location as it did in the original one.
How to Pick the Right Sideboard for Your Home
Before you settle on a style, it's worth taking a few minutes to think about what you actually need. Measure the wall space where the sideboard will go and leave a bit of breathing room on either side so it doesn't feel cramped. Think about what you'll store inside, because that'll tell you whether you need more drawers, more shelves or a combination of both.
Height matters too. If you're planning to put things on top of the sideboard, you'll want the surface at a comfortable level for styling and reaching. Most sideboards sit around 80 to 90cm tall, which puts them roughly at hip height for most people.
Once you've got the practical bits sorted, the rest comes down to personal taste. Do you want something that blends in or something that stands out? Warm wood tones or cooler painted finishes? Simple hardware or something with a bit more detail?
Whatever you're leaning towards, browse our full sideboards collection and see what catches your eye. Free UK mainland delivery comes as standard on every order.
