A sideboard was once reserved for the dining room, holding serving dishes and table linen. Today many UK households use it differently, often in the living room as a base for the television. It works because a sideboard offers generous storage, sits at a useful height, and brings a more considered look than a typical TV stand. The slightly taller proportions also flatter modern screens that float above the surface. Here we walk through how to style a sideboard so it functions well as a TV stand without losing its own character.<\/p>\n
A sideboard is usually wider than a standard TV stand, so think about whether the wall can take the extra length. Aim for a piece that extends at least 30cm beyond each side of the television. This gives the screen room to settle and avoids the cramped look that comes when a unit is too short. Heights between 70cm and 85cm tend to read well from a typical sofa seat.<\/p>\n
Our sideboard furniture<\/a> collection includes lengths from compact two door models through to longer four door pieces.<\/p>\n A sideboard often becomes the second largest piece of furniture in the living room after the sofa, so the finish matters. Solid wood pieces in oak or walnut bring grain and depth that suit a calmer scheme. High gloss surfaces reflect light and lift smaller rooms. Matt black sideboards anchor a more contemporary palette. Choose a finish that contrasts gently with the wall behind so the unit reads as deliberate.<\/p>\n For a natural look, browse our wooden sideboards<\/a> in oak, walnut and pine.<\/p>\n Most sideboards are designed for serving rather than electronics, so check the back panel before buying. Some pieces have cut outs already, while others can be modified with a small hole at the back of a cupboard. Soundbars, set top boxes and games consoles can sit on the top surface or inside a cupboard with ventilation. If you plan to mount the television on the wall above, a sideboard works particularly well because the screen does not need a base.<\/p>\n For wall mounting, see our wall TV brackets<\/a> range.<\/p>\n A long sideboard gives space to style the surface around the television rather than only beneath it. Treat the top as two zones. On one side, place a tall lamp, a small stack of books and a ceramic vessel. On the other, a framed photograph leaning against the wall, a low plant, and a small tray for keys or remotes. Leave breathing room around the television itself so it does not get lost in clutter.<\/p>\n The strength of a sideboard is the storage hidden behind doors. Use closed compartments for the less attractive realities of modern living such as cables, controllers, chargers, instruction manuals and stray batteries. Keep open shelving, where the sideboard has any, for displaying a few well chosen items rather than overflow storage. The visible side stays calm while the cupboards take the strain.<\/p>\n A sideboard sits taller than a TV stand, which means the screen ends up higher. Check the viewing line from your sofa. For most households, the centre of the screen should sit roughly at eye level when seated. If the sideboard pushes the screen too high, mount the television on the wall behind so you can lower it slightly, or look for a sideboard in the 70cm to 75cm range rather than a taller version.<\/p>\n Where the television is wall mounted above the sideboard, the gap between the two pieces can feel awkward. A picture rail with framed art, a small shelf with ceramics, or a hanging plant fills the space without competing with the screen. Pick objects in the same tonal family as the sideboard finish so the overall composition holds together.<\/p>\n In open plan rooms where the living and dining areas share a single space, a sideboard works hard. It can hold the television on one side, table linen on the other, and a tray of glasses on top during the evening. This double role suits modern UK homes where rooms increasingly serve more than one purpose.<\/p>\n We have a wide range of modern furniture on sale with free UK delivery at Furniture in Fashion<\/a>, including sideboards in many sizes and finishes.<\/p>\nSelect a Finish That Holds Its Own<\/h3>\n
Plan for Cables and Devices<\/h3>\n
Style the Surface in Two Halves<\/h3>\n
Use Closed Storage to Tidy the Look<\/h3>\n
Mind the Television Height<\/h3>\n
Layer with Art Above<\/h3>\n
Consider Open Plan Layouts<\/h3>\n