The sideboard has long been the default piece of storage in a dining room. It does its job well, but it is far from the only option. Dining rooms now hold more than crockery and table linen. Books, drinks, photographs, board games and serving pieces all need a home. Below we share nine alternatives to the standard sideboard, each suited to a different kind of dining space and a different way of using it.<\/p>\n
A glazed display cabinet keeps prized pieces visible without leaving them open to dust. This works well for inherited china, drinks glasses and ceramics that deserve more than a cupboard shelf. Soft interior lighting turns a display cabinet into a quiet feature in the evening. Our display cabinets<\/a> range from slim tall designs to wider low units, so they suit narrow walls and broader recesses alike.<\/p>\n Open shelves invite a more relaxed kind of styling. Stack plates, lean cookbooks and rest a vase or two between the layers. The trick is to use pieces you reach for often, so the shelves keep refreshing themselves and never settle into a static display. Mounted directly to the wall or set into an alcove, open shelving costs little but adds noticeable storage to a tight room.<\/p>\n A drinks trolley brings flexibility to a dining room. Roll it close to the table for a celebration, then push it back against the wall for everyday calm. Choose a design with two or three tiers, a sturdy frame and lockable wheels. Take a look at our drinks cabinets and serving trolleys<\/a> for shapes that fit both period and modern rooms without dominating the floor.<\/p>\n Dining rooms can absorb books beautifully. A tall bookcase along one wall turns reading material into part of the room’s character, especially in homes where the dining area also serves as a study or reading corner. Mix books with a few framed pictures and ceramics for a relaxed display. Browse our bookcases<\/a> in heights and widths to suit different walls and ceiling heights.<\/p>\n Consoles are narrower than sideboards, often around 30 to 40 cm deep. That depth makes them ideal for tight rooms where every centimetre of floor space matters. Use a console as a landing zone for serving dishes during meals, then style it with a lamp and a small plant the rest of the time. It earns its place even when the room is quiet.<\/p>\n Storage benches do double duty in a dining room. Slide one along the wall side of the table for extra seating, and use the lift up base to keep tablecloths, place mats and seasonal pieces tidy. This idea works particularly well in homes where children also use the dining table for homework and crafts, since materials can be packed away before each meal.<\/p>\n Many UK dining rooms have alcoves on either side of a chimney breast. Fitted cupboards in these spaces give generous, neat storage that disappears into the architecture. The lower section can hold serving dishes and table linen, while the upper section can house books, art or open shelving. This is a longer project but pays back every day in calm and order.<\/p>\n A dresser combines a closed lower cabinet with open upper shelves. That mix suits dining rooms because it hides the messy items, such as overflow cutlery or unused candles, while keeping prized pieces on show above. Modern dressers come in painted, oak and high gloss finishes, so the style is not limited to country homes any more than it has to feel rustic.<\/p>\n Some dining cabinets include a fold down section that doubles as a small bar or serving surface. The cabinet stays closed in everyday life, then opens out when guests arrive. This is a quiet, well mannered piece of furniture for households that entertain occasionally but do not want a permanent bar set up in the room.<\/p>\n2. Open Shelving for Everyday Pieces<\/h3>\n
3. A Drinks Trolley by the Wall<\/h3>\n
4. Bookcases as Statement Storage<\/h3>\n
5. A Slim Console Against a Wall<\/h3>\n
6. A Bench With Hidden Storage<\/h3>\n
7. Built In Cupboards in Alcoves<\/h3>\n
8. A Dresser for Mixed Storage<\/h3>\n
9. A Cabinet With a Drop Down Door<\/h3>\n
Pulling It Together<\/h3>\n