To choose the right sideboard for your dining room, start with space: measure the wall, then allow at least 90 centimetres of clearance between the sideboard and the back of a pulled out dining chair. Next, match the height to your table, choose storage that fits what you actually own, and pick a material and finish that complements your dining table without needing to copy it. Get those four things right and the style decisions become far easier.
A dining room sideboard does a lot of quiet work. It holds the plates, glasses and table linen you need, gives you a serving surface when you entertain, and anchors the room visually. Our range of dining room sideboards UK covers a variety of sizes and finishes, and the guidance below will help you narrow the choice before you start comparing pieces.
Most buying mistakes come from measuring only the wall. The wall tells you how long a sideboard can be. The walkway tells you how deep it can be. In many British dining rooms, particularly in terraced houses and new builds, the second measurement is the one that matters most.
Measure from the edge of your dining table to the wall where the sideboard will stand. Subtract the depth of the sideboard you are considering. What remains needs to accommodate a chair pushed out for someone to sit down, plus space for another person to walk behind. Around 90 centimetres is a comfortable minimum, and more is better if this is a main route through the room.
If the space is tight, look for a shallower sideboard. Depths around 35 to 40 centimetres are available and still hold plates and glassware comfortably. Deeper models, often 45 to 50 centimetres, offer more capacity but need more room.
For length, a sideboard that runs around two thirds to three quarters of the wall usually looks balanced. Leave space at each end so the piece does not feel wedged in, and check that doors, radiators and sockets will not clash with it.
Sideboards typically range from low designs around 70 centimetres high to taller pieces around 90 centimetres. Dining tables tend to be about 75 centimetres high. A sideboard slightly higher than the table makes a practical serving surface and creates a pleasing step up in height when viewed across the room.
Low sideboards suit rooms with a large window or artwork above, or open plan spaces where you want to keep sightlines clear. Taller sideboards, sometimes called highboards when they go beyond a metre, provide more storage and make a stronger statement, which can suit larger rooms with high ceilings.
Think about what will hang above it. A low sideboard leaves more wall for a substantial mirror or a gallery arrangement. A tall one may only need a single piece of art.
Before you fall for a design, empty your current dining storage and look at what you have. Dinner plates, serving platters, wine glasses, tumblers, cutlery, table linen, candles and placemats all have different needs.
Drawers are best for cutlery, napkins and placemats. Look for at least one shallow drawer, ideally with soft close runners. Cupboards with adjustable shelves suit plates, bowls and serving dishes. Check the internal height between shelves: large dinner plates and tall glasses need more space than you might expect.
If you entertain often, a sideboard with a dedicated wine rack or a glazed section for glasses can be useful. If you prefer to hide everything, solid doors keep the look calm. Count how many place settings you need to store and choose accordingly. It is easier to live with a little spare space than to find yourself with plates stacked in the kitchen because the sideboard is too small.
A dining room works best when the table, chairs and sideboard feel related, but they do not need to come from the same collection. In fact, an exact match can look a little flat. The aim is harmony rather than uniformity.
Start by viewing the room as a whole. Our dining table and chairs sets UK sale show how different finishes and shapes come together, which can help you picture the sideboard as part of a complete scheme. Then pick one element to connect the pieces. That might be the wood tone, the leg style, the metal finish or the overall shape.
A glass or marble table pairs well with a wooden sideboard that adds warmth. A solid oak table might suit a sideboard in a slightly darker wood or a painted finish. If your chairs are upholstered in a strong colour, a neutral sideboard lets them stand out. If you are still deciding on the table, our modern dining tables UK collection includes glass, wood, gloss and marble options to consider alongside your sideboard.
The material affects how the sideboard looks, how it ages and how much care it needs. Each option has its strengths.
Wood brings warmth and suits almost any style. Solid wood and good quality veneers develop character over time, though they benefit from coasters and occasional polishing. Our modern wooden sideboards UK sale include oak, walnut and painted finishes that work in both traditional and contemporary dining rooms.
High gloss finishes are easy to wipe down and reflect light, which helps in rooms without much daylight. They suit modern schemes and pair well with glass or chrome dining furniture. Glass sideboards, or pieces with glass doors, add lightness and let you display favourite tableware. They do show fingerprints and dust, so they suit people who do not mind a quick wipe.
Consider the top surface in particular. This is where you will place serving dishes, so heat resistance and ease of cleaning matter. Use trivets or a runner for hot dishes regardless of finish.
The architecture of your home is a useful guide. Period properties with cornicing, picture rails and fireplaces often suit sideboards with a little more detail, such as panelled doors, turned legs or traditional handles. That said, a sleek modern sideboard can look striking against original features if the rest of the room supports the contrast.
Newer homes with simpler lines tend to suit handleless designs, slim legs and clean profiles. In open plan kitchen diners, consider how the sideboard relates to the kitchen cabinetry. A finish that echoes the worktop or cabinet doors creates continuity, while a contrasting finish helps define the dining zone as its own space.
Small details shape the overall impression. Sideboards on legs feel lighter and show more floor, which helps smaller dining rooms feel more open. They also make cleaning underneath easier. Sideboards with a plinth or solid base feel more substantial and built in, and they stop dust collecting beneath.
Handles affect both looks and practicality. Push to open doors keep a clean profile, but they can be fiddly if your hands are full. Recessed or integrated handles are discreet and practical. Statement handles in brass or leather add personality and are easy to grip.
If you have young children, check that doors and drawers close smoothly and consider whether the sideboard should be fixed to the wall, especially taller designs.
The most common position is the longest uninterrupted wall, centred on the dining table. This creates a balanced composition and keeps the serving surface close to diners. In rooms with a window on one side, placing the sideboard opposite the window lets you hang a mirror above it to bounce light back across the table.
In open plan spaces, a sideboard can sit behind a sofa to mark the transition between living and dining areas. Choose one finished on all sides if the back will be visible. For more ideas on how the two pieces work together, our guide to styling dining tables with sideboards in UK homes offers practical layouts. If you want to bring your chairs into the scheme too, our article on dining chairs and sideboards for a coordinated UK dining room is a useful next read.
Many British dining areas are not separate rooms at all. They are corners of a kitchen, the back half of a through lounge or a section of an open plan extension. A sideboard still has a role in these spaces, but it needs to be chosen with extra care.
In a kitchen diner, the sideboard often takes on overflow from the kitchen: serving dishes, glassware, baking trays and the appliances that do not fit on the worktop. Look for a design with deeper cupboards and a durable top that can cope with occasional use as an extra preparation surface. Avoid delicate finishes close to the cooking zone, where steam and splashes are more likely.
In a through lounge, where the dining table sits at one end of a long room, a sideboard can help define the dining area without closing it off. Placing it against the side wall near the table creates a natural zone, while keeping the centre of the room open.
Where floor space is truly limited, consider a tall, narrow cabinet instead of a long sideboard. It uses height rather than width and still holds a surprising amount. Another option is a console style sideboard with a slim depth that can sit behind the dining chairs on a wall without blocking the route through.
A good sideboard should last for many years, and a little care helps it keep its looks. Place felt pads beneath ornaments and lamps to prevent scratches, and always use mats or trivets under hot dishes. Wipe spills promptly, particularly on wood and marble, which can mark if liquids are left to sit.
Position the sideboard away from radiators where possible. Constant direct heat can cause wood to move and finishes to dull. Strong sunlight can also fade some timbers and painted finishes over time, so a blind or curtain on a south facing window offers useful protection.
Check door hinges and drawer runners occasionally. Most can be adjusted with a screwdriver if doors start to sit unevenly. Keeping the heaviest items on lower shelves reduces strain on the structure and makes the piece more stable.
Once the sideboard is in place, keep the styling simple. A pair of candlesticks, a bowl, a vase and a lamp or mirror is usually enough. Leave clear space so the surface can be used for serving. A runner adds softness and protects the finish, but choose a colour that complements your table linen rather than competing with it.
Rotate a few items seasonally to keep the room feeling fresh, and store the rest inside. A dining room sideboard is at its best when it looks calm on the outside and organised on the inside.
When you are ready to compare designs, you can explore modern furniture UK at Furniture in Fashion. We offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, and Returns are available up to 30 days.
Allow at least 90 centimetres between the sideboard and the edge of the table so a chair can be pulled out and someone can walk behind it. If the space is a main walkway, more room is more comfortable.
Slightly higher often works well, as it creates a practical serving surface and a visual step up. Low sideboards can also look elegant, particularly in open plan rooms or beneath a large mirror.
No. It is usually better to coordinate than to match exactly. Link the pieces through one shared element, such as wood tone, metal finish or shape.
A shallower sideboard, around 35 to 40 centimetres deep, keeps the walkway clear while still holding plates and glasses. Check the internal shelf depth to make sure your largest plates fit.
Bedroom furniture deals can bring better made pieces within reach, but a large discount is…
You can buy a cheap sofa without compromising on quality by choosing a retailer that…
Affordable children's beds are widely available online in the UK, and the best value usually…
A mirrored wardrobe stores clothes, replaces a separate full length mirror and reflects daylight around…
Buying a complete home office at once means finishes match, heights work together and you…
The best dining table deals in the UK are usually found in the seasonal sales…
This website uses cookies.