Sideboards, Buffets, Cabinets & Credenzas

As the designated place for sharing family dinners or hosting guests and holiday gatherings, the dining room is undoubtedly one of the more refined and sophisticated areas of most homes. That being said, dining rooms often aren’t equipped with the same storage options as a breakfast room or kitchen. If you’re searching for a way to keep more formal dishware, glasses or serving accessories close at hand, then a sideboard — also referred to as a buffet or cabinet — may be what you’re looking for. Read on to learn more.

This long, narrow piece of furniture offers an elegant way to store dining essentials and linens, and typically is placed along the wall. It usually features a combination of cabinets and drawers, with a flat top that can be used as a serving space for platters or trays of food. When not dining, you can also use the top of your sideboard as a shelf for displaying keepsakes or other decor.

Though each of these terms are frequently used interchangeably, they do offer some different features.