How to Choose Between a Sideboard With Drawers or Cupboards Only

Storage decisions start with how you live

A sideboard is one of those pieces of furniture that quietly does a lot of work. It holds the things you do not want on display, anchors the room visually and often doubles as a surface for lamps, art or a television. When choosing between a design with drawers, one with cupboards or a combination, the right answer depends less on aesthetics and more on what you plan to keep inside. At Furniture in Fashion we guide customers through this decision daily, so here is a calm, practical way to think it through before you order from our sideboards collection.

What drawers do well

Drawers excel at organising small and medium items. Cutlery, table linen, paperwork, charging cables, board games and craft supplies all sit neatly inside, separated by depth rather than piled together. Because you pull the contents out towards you, nothing gets lost at the back. This is particularly useful in dining rooms, where access to napkins or place mats needs to be quick and tidy.

What cupboards do well

Cupboards suit larger or oddly shaped objects. Decanters, vases, photo albums, serving platters, board games in deep boxes and even small appliances slot in easily. A single shelf inside gives flexibility, since you can store taller items at the top and stack flatter pieces below. Cupboards also hide visual clutter more completely, which matters in open plan rooms where the sideboard is on permanent view.

The case for a combination

Many of our most popular designs combine both. A typical layout might offer two or three drawers across the top with cupboards underneath, or a central bank of drawers flanked by doors on either side. This arrangement gives you small item organisation at hand height and bulkier storage below. For households juggling a mix of paperwork, table accessories and entertaining gear, this is often the most flexible choice.

Match the sideboard to the room

The function of the room matters as much as the contents. In a living room, cupboards often win because they hide remote controls, cables and the slightly chaotic edges of family life. In a dining room, drawers tend to be more useful for cutlery, candles and runners. In a hallway, a slim cupboard sideboard can swallow shoes, bags and post in a way drawers struggle to match.

Think about how often you reach in

Drawers are quicker for daily access. You pull and the contents present themselves. Cupboards require an extra step, since you usually need to crouch or move things to reach the back. If you find yourself opening a section every day, drawers will save effort over time. If the contents come out only occasionally, cupboards are perfectly suited.

Consider the weight and contents

Heavier items belong in cupboards. Stacked plates, ceramic serving dishes or a small drinks tray sit better on a fixed shelf than in a sliding drawer. Drawers cope happily with linens, papers and accessories but can become awkward when overloaded with weight. If you are unsure, write a quick list of the ten things you most want to store and group them by size and weight before browsing.

Aesthetic differences

The visual difference matters too. A drawer fronted sideboard has more horizontal lines and a busier face. A cupboard only design reads as calmer, with fewer handles and a more architectural silhouette. Combination pieces sit between the two. If your room is already visually rich, with patterned curtains and several artworks, a simpler cupboard front will feel more restful. If the room is plain, drawer fronts can add useful detail.

Sizing and depth

Standard sideboards sit between 40 and 45 cm deep. Drawers within that depth typically run to around 35 cm internally, which is enough for most household items but tight for large platters. Cupboards in the same external depth offer more internal volume because there are no runners taking up space. If you plan to store anything bulky, measure it first and check the internal dimensions on the product page. Our sideboard furniture listings include full internal measurements to help with this.

Material and finish considerations

The material of the sideboard does not directly affect the drawer or cupboard decision, but it does affect how the storage feels in use. Soft close drawers in high gloss sideboards close silently, while solid wood drawers may have a heavier action. Cupboard doors with push to open mechanisms suit handleless designs, while traditional knobs feel right on country style timber. Choose the mechanism that matches how the room reads.

A short decision framework

If you mainly store small daily items, choose drawers. If you store larger occasional items, choose cupboards. If you store both, choose a combination. Match the visual weight of the front to the calm or busyness of the room. Always measure your tallest, widest and heaviest item before deciding.

Frequently asked questions

Are drawer sideboards more expensive than cupboard versions?

Drawers usually involve more hardware, so they can sit slightly higher in price, although the difference varies by range and finish.

Can I retrofit shelves inside a cupboard sideboard?

Many cupboard sideboards include adjustable shelves so you can change the internal layout as your storage needs change.

Do drawers slow down room cleaning?

Not really. A quick wipe across the fronts is all that is needed. Soft close runners stay clean inside as long as the drawers are not overstuffed.

Which option suits a household with young children?

Cupboards with soft close hinges tend to be safer for small fingers, although drawer locks are widely available for the early years.

Can I mix drawers and cupboards across two sideboards in one room?

Yes. Two coordinated pieces with different layouts often work well, particularly in larger living and dining spaces.