Q: Why is a sideboard called a sideboard?

A sideboard is nearly the same thing as a buffet , but slightly shorter. Standing against a wall in a dining room, a sideboard’s main function is to supply an easily accessible surface for serving trays, bowls or plates of food.

Question 1

What is a sofa plinth?

Accepted Answer

A sofa plinth is a low base or pedestal that a sofa rests on. It borrows its name from a platform used to support an arch in classical architecture. People also call statue bases plinths. On 1stDibs, find a range of antique and vintage sofas.

Question 2

Why is a sideboard called a sideboard?

Accepted Answer

A sideboard is nearly the same thing as a buffet, but slightly shorter. Standing against a wall in a dining room, a sideboard’s main function is to supply an easily accessible surface for serving trays, bowls or plates of food.

Question 3

What are sideboards?

Accepted Answer

Sideboards are cabinets with shelves and drawers used to store serving utensils, dinnerware and table linens.

Question 4

What is a kitchen sideboard?

Accepted Answer

A kitchen sideboard is a piece of furniture used for serving food and storing serving dishes and table linens. Kitchen sideboards long and often sit low to the ground. Shop vintage sideboards on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a sideboard?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a sideboard is to provide a place to store and organize items for the home. Often used in dining rooms, sideboards work well for keeping serveware and dinnerware free of dust and hidden when not in use. Some people use sideboards to house entertainment centers, media, games and other odds and ends in living rooms, or place them in entryways to provide places to stash cold-weather accessories, bags and shoes. Explore a large collection of sideboards on 1stDibs.

Question 6

What is a sideboard table used for?

Accepted Answer

A sideboard table is generally used for storing cutlery, napkins and other dining supplies. Sideboards have much in common with credenzas and buffet tables but they are distinct from both of those other kinds of case pieces. Shop a range of antique and vintage sideboards and other storage furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 7

What is the difference between a sideboard and a server?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a sideboard and a server mostly pertains to usage. A sideboard is a side-table with cabinet doors that is used for serving, most often in a dining room (today, sideboards can sometimes be found in living rooms and foyers). In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard. Sideboards have short legs or no legs at all. A server is very slim and is meant to be placed along the dining room wall. It is shorter and takes up less room than a sideboard and is also considered to be more formal than a sideboard — a sideboard might offer a surface to serve dinner, whereas a server might best be used to serve dessert. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary sideboards and servers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is the difference between a sideboard and a hutch?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a sideboard and a hutch is that a sideboard is a side table with cabinet doors that was originally used for serving, most often in a dining room (now, you might find a sideboard in a foyer or living room). A hutch is essentially a storage piece made of two parts — there is a set of shelves or cabinets on top of a lower unit, which features a counter and either cabinets or a set of drawers. In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard. A hutch might be of help in serving tea or other beverages, but it is more of a case piece than it is a piece of furniture that is used for serving. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary sideboards and hutches from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 9

Should a sideboard be taller than a table?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a sideboard should generally be taller than a dining table in the same space. Look for a sideboard that is about four to six inches taller than the dining tabletop. The shortest pieces you should consider are those of equal height to the table. If your sideboard is shorter than the dining table, your room may look out of proportion. On 1stDibs, find a variety of sideboards.

Question 10

What is the difference between a sideboard and a cabinet?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a sideboard and a cabinet is the specificity of the terms. A cabinet is any piece of furniture that features interior storage space hidden behind one or more doors. On the other hand, a sideboard is a long, low cabinet often used to store tableware and linens in dining rooms. Shop a diverse assortment of sideboards and other cabinets on 1stDibs.

Question 11

What is the difference between a buffet and a sideboard?

Accepted Answer

The terms buffet and sideboard are used interchangeably, although buffets generally have higher legs and stand 34 to 38 inches tall.

Question 12

What can I use instead of a sideboard?

Accepted Answer

What you can use instead of a sideboard depends on your specific needs. If you're looking for a place to set up buffet spreads when entertaining guests, a console table may be a good option. For storing or displaying items in the dining room, try a bar cabinet, hutch, bookshelf or floating wall shelves. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of dining room furniture.

Question 13

What is the difference between a buffet table and a sideboard?

Accepted Answer

Buffet tables and sideboards are both types of cabinet furniture. Though often used as a synonym for “sideboard,” a buffet technically possesses a tiered or shelved superstructure for displaying decorative kitchenware. The term derives from buffet à deux corps, a piece which is seen mostly in French Provincial furniture. A sideboard is a side-table with cabinet doors that is used for serving, most often in a dining room. In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard (it's not uncommon to find a sideboard in a foyer, however). Find a wide range of mid-century modern buffets and sideboards on 1stDibs.

Question 14

What is the difference between a sideboard and a console table?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a sideboard and a console table comes down to usage and storage features. Sideboards are usually found in dining rooms and have shelving concealed behind cabinet doors for storing dinnerware, glassware and serveware. Normally positioned in entryways, hallways and living rooms, console tables may have no storage features or include drawers, open shelves or cabinet doors, depending on their design. Find a large selection of console tables and sideboards on 1stDibs.

Question 15

What’s the difference between a buffet and a sideboard?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between a buffet and a sideboard is that a buffet is usually slightly taller than a sideboard. However, both types of tables are typically found in the dining room and both serve the same function as a place to put serving dishes.

Question 16

How long should a sideboard be in a dining room?

Accepted Answer

How long a sideboard should be in a dining room depends on the size of the space and the dimensions of the accompanying dining table. Generally, a dining table should be larger than a sideboard to ensure a balanced look. You also want to ensure that there is at least 24 inches of space between the sideboard and other furnishings to provide enough clearance for walking. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of sideboards.

Question 17

Can you use a sideboard as a TV stand?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can generally use a sideboard as a TV stand. If you plan to rest the TV on the top of a sideboard, double-check that its weight capacity is great enough to support the weight of the television safely. You may also want to drill the back of the sideboard to add holes for the cords and cables that connect the components of your home theater system. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of sideboards.

Question 18

How tall should a sideboard be in a living room?

Accepted Answer

How tall a sideboard should be in a living room varies. Most sideboards are 34 to 36 inches tall. If you're using a sideboard as a television stand, the sideboard should be tall enough to allow the center of the television screen to be at eye level. Otherwise, you can typically choose any size sideboard. Shop a range of sideboards on 1stDibs.

Question 19

How do you identify a G Plan sideboard?

Accepted Answer

To identify a G Plan sideboard, look for the maker's mark. Nearly all pieces produced by the British maker are marked, but G Plan utilized different markings over the years. For example, pieces from the 1950s and ’60s often display a gold foil oval label emblazoned with the words "E Gomme, High Wycombe." You can find images of all G Plan labels and marks on trusted online resources. You can also ask a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer to help you with the identification process. Explore a wide range of G Plan sideboards on 1stDibs.

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