The Sideboard: A seamless blend of form & function

Originally a dining room staple, sideboards have branched out to just about any room of the house. Wondering how to incorporate a living room sideboard? Using a low-profile version as a stylish alternative to a TV unit is just one way this piece can be used. Or perhaps a bedroom sideboard is in order to fill a space and provide extra storage. Placing one of these facing a bed, styled up to the nines, makes for a lovely scene to wake up to.

Offering extra storage and tabletop space to any room in which they’re found, sideboards are brilliantly stylish functional items. Conceal items you don’t want on display in a sideboard’s cupboard or drawer section and highlight items you do want to show off by creating a beautiful tabletop vignette.

A historically formal piece, sideboards now come in all shapes and styles. More modern minimalist designs are kept clean-lined, unadorned and laid back whilst there are still plenty of traditional examples out there which feature decorative hardware and intricate carved panels.

If you’re searching for the perfect piece, check out these popular sideboard styles as a starting point.

Arguably the most prolific sideboard style of the moment, a modern sideboard is characterised by simple lines, a lack of pattern or strongly marked natural materials and contemporary finishes. White sideboards, black sideboards or dark wood sideboards are not uncommon in this style. They’re also the ones most likely to incorporate forward-thinking storage aids or be repurposed as the housing for retractable televisions.

Taking style notes from the weathered finishes of nature, rustic sideboards are those which you may find in a country home, a loft space or simply a casually styled contemporary home. Texture rules in this style with woods ranging from lightly cerused woods to rather distressed with the resulting effect being one of laid-back chic. Go-to brand include Bernhardt, Theodore Alexander and Hooker.