Buffets & Sideboards

The terms are now commonly used interchangeably. Traditionally, buffets were associated with dining rooms, while sideboards could be used in several spaces. Today, both describe low storage cabinets used for crockery, serving pieces, décor and concealed household storage.

Measure the available wall and leave enough space for doors, drawers and dining chairs to open comfortably. The buffet should feel balanced with the dining table without making the room difficult to move through.

Dining-room buffets are useful for crockery, glassware, table linen, serving dishes and entertaining accessories. In living rooms, a sideboard can also store books, electronics and other items you want to keep out of sight.

Sometimes, but check the height, width, ventilation and cable access first. TV units are usually lower and often designed specifically for media equipment, while a buffet may place the television higher than is comfortable from your sofa.

A large mirror, artwork or wall clock can visually anchor the space above a buffet. Choose a piece substantial enough to relate to the cabinet width and avoid hanging several very small items unless you are deliberately creating a gallery arrangement.

Combine objects of different heights, such as a lamp, vase, sculpture or books, while keeping some clear surface space. Repeating colours or finishes from the dining table, chairs or room décor helps the sideboard feel connected to the rest of the interior.

Marco Furniture provides a 12-month warranty on all components of sideboards and buffets, subject to our Warranty Policy.

Marco Furniture offers contemporary buffets and sideboards online and from its Fyshwick ACT showroom. Call (02) 6189 1242 before visiting if you would like to check display availability for a specific cabinet.