Buffets & Sideboards

The terms are often used interchangeably. A sideboard is usually long and low with doors and drawers, while a buffet can be taller or sit on legs, sometimes with a hutch on top. Both are made to store dining gear and give you a serving surface.

Most sideboards here are engineered wood, often with an oak or timber-look finish. Some are solid timber, and some combine a veneer top with an engineered wood body. The material is listed in each product's details, so check there if you want solid timber.

Yes, most arrive flat packed with instructions and fittings. Expect to attach doors, drawers and legs, which takes a couple of hours for larger units. Work on a soft surface to avoid scratches, and don't overtighten screws in engineered wood.

Taller buffets and anything with heavy drawers should be anchored, especially if kids might climb or pull on them. Many listings include anti-tip hardware. Use fixings that suit your wall, and secure the unit before loading it up.

Measure the wall and allow at least 80cm to 90cm of walking space in front, more if dining chairs pull out behind it. As a rough guide, a sideboard looks balanced when it is a little shorter than the dining table. Check the depth if you're using it in a narrow hallway.

The finish should closely match, but timber-look surfaces and real timber can vary slightly in grain and tone, and screens show colours differently. Check the listed colour and material, and read the product details for the exact finish name.