What is the difference between a sideboard and a server?

The difference between a sideboard and a server mostly pertains to usage. A sideboard is a side-table with cabinet doors that is used for serving, most often in a dining room (today, sideboards can sometimes be found in living rooms and foyers). In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard. Sideboards have short legs or no legs at all. A server is very slim and is meant to be placed along the dining room wall. It is shorter and takes up less room than a sideboard and is also considered to be more formal than a sideboard — a sideboard might offer a surface to serve dinner, whereas a server might best be used to serve dessert. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary sideboards and servers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

What is a dining server?

A dining server is a type of table that is slim and designed to be placed along a dining room wall. It’s meant to be a spot to stage food before it’s served to guests and not necessarily used for storage, although some dining servers may have cabinets. Find a selection of dining servers on 1stDibs.

Why is a sideboard called a sideboard?

A sideboard is nearly the same thing as a buffet , but slightly shorter. Standing against a wall in a dining room, a sideboard’s main function is to supply an easily accessible surface for serving trays, bowls or plates of food.

Sideboards are cabinets with shelves and drawers used to store serving utensils, dinnerware and table linens.

What is a wood salad server?

A wood utensil that’s used to serve salad is a wood salad server. Salad servers often feature two oversized forks or a fork and a paddle-shaped instrument. Shop a collection of salad servers from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is the best buffet server?

Buffet servers — or buffets —are available in various materials, sizes, styles, and designs. Choosing the best buffet server is a matter of preference that complements your home décor. A buffet server is supposed to be functional and useful; you should choose one with drawers or shelves based on your needs. Find a wide collection of antique and vintage buffets on 1stDibs today.

What is a server in a dining room?

A server in a dining room is a slim piece of furniture placed near the dining table and is typically used to stage food before serving. Traditionally, servers were unassuming and provided surfaces for serving dishes — they occupied less room than a buffet or a sideboard. Newly designed servers include drawers where you can store dishes, cutlery and other necessary elements for meals. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage servers.

What is a wine server called?

A wine server is formally called a sommelier or wine steward. A sommelier is a person who is trained in the wine profession. This individual is typically very knowledgeable about wines as well as pairing wine and food.

What is a kitchen sideboard?

A kitchen sideboard is a piece of furniture used for serving food and storing serving dishes and table linens. Kitchen sideboards long and often sit low to the ground. Shop vintage sideboards on 1stDibs.

What is the purpose of a sideboard?

The purpose of a sideboard is to provide a place to store and organize items for the home. Often used in dining rooms, sideboards work well for keeping serveware and dinnerware free of dust and hidden when not in use. Some people use sideboards to house entertainment centers, media, games and other odds and ends in living rooms, or place them in entryways to provide places to stash cold-weather accessories, bags and shoes. Explore a large collection of sideboards on 1stDibs.

What would a server use a monkey dish for?

A server would use a monkey dish to present nuts and other small finger foods and condiments. The name comes from the centuries-old practice of giving a small portion of food to a monkey to determine if it was poisoned. Shop a collection of monkey dishes on 1stDibs.

What is a sideboard table used for?

A sideboard table is generally used for storing cutlery, napkins and other dining supplies. Sideboards have much in common with credenzas and buffet tables but they are distinct from both of those other kinds of case pieces. Shop a range of antique and vintage sideboards and other storage furniture on 1stDibs.

What is the difference between a sideboard and a hutch?

The difference between a sideboard and a hutch is that a sideboard is a side table with cabinet doors that was originally used for serving, most often in a dining room (now, you might find a sideboard in a foyer or living room). A hutch is essentially a storage piece made of two parts — there is a set of shelves or cabinets on top of a lower unit, which features a counter and either cabinets or a set of drawers. In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard. A hutch might be of help in serving tea or other beverages, but it is more of a case piece than it is a piece of furniture that is used for serving. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary sideboards and hutches from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Should a sideboard be taller than a table?

Yes, a sideboard should generally be taller than a dining table in the same space. Look for a sideboard that is about four to six inches taller than the dining tabletop. The shortest pieces you should consider are those of equal height to the table. If your sideboard is shorter than the dining table, your room may look out of proportion. On 1stDibs, find a variety of sideboards.

What is the difference between a sideboard and a cabinet?

The difference between a sideboard and a cabinet is the specificity of the terms. A cabinet is any piece of furniture that features interior storage space hidden behind one or more doors. On the other hand, a sideboard is a long, low cabinet often used to store tableware and linens in dining rooms. Shop a diverse assortment of sideboards and other cabinets on 1stDibs.

What is the difference between a buffet and a sideboard?

The terms buffet and sideboard are used interchangeably, although buffets generally have higher legs and stand 34 to 38 inches tall.

What can I use instead of a sideboard?

What you can use instead of a sideboard depends on your specific needs. If you're looking for a place to set up buffet spreads when entertaining guests, a console table may be a good option. For storing or displaying items in the dining room, try a bar cabinet, hutch, bookshelf or floating wall shelves. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of dining room furniture.

What is the difference between a buffet table and a sideboard?

Buffet tables and sideboards are both types of cabinet furniture. Though often used as a synonym for “sideboard,” a buffet technically possesses a tiered or shelved superstructure for displaying decorative kitchenware. The term derives from buffet à deux corps, a piece which is seen mostly in French Provincial furniture. A sideboard is a side-table with cabinet doors that is used for serving, most often in a dining room. In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard (it's not uncommon to find a sideboard in a foyer, however). Find a wide range of mid-century modern buffets and sideboards on 1stDibs.

What is the difference between a sideboard and a console table?

The difference between a sideboard and a console table comes down to usage and storage features. Sideboards are usually found in dining rooms and have shelving concealed behind cabinet doors for storing dinnerware, glassware and serveware. Normally positioned in entryways, hallways and living rooms, console tables may have no storage features or include drawers, open shelves or cabinet doors, depending on their design. Find a large selection of console tables and sideboards on 1stDibs.

What’s the difference between a buffet and a sideboard?

The main difference between a buffet and a sideboard is that a buffet is usually slightly taller than a sideboard. However, both types of tables are typically found in the dining room and both serve the same function as a place to put serving dishes.

Servers And Sideboards

Walnut Server

Dining Room Buffet Cabinet Servers

Mid Century Servers Cabinets

Category

Antique 19th Century French Sideboards

Antique Oak Server

$5,800

Small Swedish Server

Located in Sheffield, MA

Decorated server, Sweden circa 1820, with charming swags of bellflowers painted in two shades of

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Sideboards

Materials

Brass

Small Swedish Server

$5,600

Osvaldo Borsani Server

Located in New York, NY

EXICETING OSVALDO BORSANI SERVER MADE IN MILAN 1937,UNUSUAL SIDE DRAWERS IN TOYA WOOD WITH CENTER

Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Sideboards

Materials

Rosewood

Osvaldo Borsani Server

Art Deco Server

Located in Charleston, SC

Art Deco Macassar Ebony Server with a Shaped Front with Central Glass Door Framed on Either Side by

Category

Vintage 1930s French Sideboards

Materials

Wood, Glass

Art Deco Server

$5,750

Antique Pine Server

Located in Millwood, VA

Scottish antique pine server with grey paint finish. Upper section has five small dovetailed

Category

Antique 1870s Scottish Sideboards

Materials

Pine

Antique Pine Server

$1,795

Hickory Chair Server

Located in New York, NY

with carved wooden pulls, one of the server's two drawers features a silver liner. The doors open to

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Sideboards

Hickory Chair Server

$3,988

$5,500

Peter Hvidt and Olga Nielsen Teak Server

By Hvidt Mølgaard

Located in New London, CT

This beautiful vintage piece comes straight out of the original owner's estate. With its Hvidt/Nielsen signature carved hand pulls and solid dovetail construction, this pristine piec...

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Teak

Peter Hvidt and Olga Nielsen Teak Server

$2,300

Important Art Moderne credenza/sideboard, Chinoiserie panels

Located in Long Island City, NY

Moderne and Art Deco servers and sideboards. Ritter Antik is dealing in authentic

Category

Vintage 1940s Credenzas

Materials

Cherry

Important Art Moderne credenza/sideboard, Chinoiserie panels

Antique French fruitwood server.

Located in New Orleans, LA

Antique French fruitwood server. Circa 1800.

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Sideboards

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique French fruitwood server.

$5,700

Mid-Century Modern Server in Walnut and Lacquer

Located in New London, CT

Clean sideboard-server freshly wrapped in white dove lacquer with more than ample storage. Great

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Server in Walnut and Lacquer

$2,400

Antique Pine Server

Located in Georges Mills, NH

With 3 working drawers and 3 faux drawers

Empire Walnut Server

Early Irish Mahogany Server

Located in Port Chester, NY

An elaborate antique sideboard from Ireland. The mahogany console has a deep, warm finish. Each of the four legs is beautifully turned. There is one drawer with a cabinet on either ...

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Irish Sideboards

Materials

Mahogany

Early Irish Mahogany Server

$5,800

Antique French Chestnut Server

Located in Atlanta, GA

The detailing on this server is very pleasing to the eye. The craftsman carved a scalloped apron

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Sideboards

Materials

Chestnut

Antique French Chestnut Server

$3,200

Karl Springer Custom Server

Located in Stamford, CT

Karl Springer custom server with faux shagreen and ivory.

Category

20th Century Sideboards

Karl Springer Custom Server

$4,700

French Provincial Cherry Server

Located in Bridgehampton, NY

French Provincial Cherry Server

Category

Antique 19th Century French Sideboards

Materials

Cherry

French Provincial Cherry Server

$8,500

James Mont Mahogany Server

Located in New York, NY

James Mont Mahogany Server

Category

20th Century American Sideboards

Materials

Mahogany

James Mont Mahogany Server

Flame Grain Mahogany Server

Located in Wilson, NC

Flame grain mahogany Hepplewhite server is crossbanded in mahogany, satinwood, boxwood, and ebony.

Category

Antique 1790s English Sideboards

Materials

Boxwood, Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood

Flame Grain Mahogany Server

$6,650

Antique English Mahogany Server

Located in Bridgehampton, NY

Antique French server with two doors and two drawers, inside shelves. New hardware, mahogany

Category

Antique 19th Century English Sideboards

Materials

Mahogany

Antique English Mahogany Server

$5,600

Decorated Heywood Wakefield Server

By Heywood-Wakefield Co.

Located in Hudson, NY

This Classic Heywood Wakefield Server has been Decorated with a Taupe and Red Silkscreen Design

Category

Vintage 1950s American Sideboards

Decorated Heywood Wakefield Server

$1,400

Papier Mâché Tiered Server

Located in Stamford, CT

Victorian, papier mâché, three-tier server in ebonized finish. Decorated with mother-of-pearl and

Category

Antique 1880s High Victorian Sideboards

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Papier Mâché Tiered Server

$3,800

Early Mahogany Server/Sideboard

Located in Wainscott, NY

Formal Mahogany Server, 1 deep drawer, 1 Door, 1 Silver Drawer, Great Patina

Category

Antique 19th Century English Sideboards

Early Mahogany Server/Sideboard

$7,500

Large ebonized Biedermeier server

Located in Long Island City, NY

Unusually large Austro-Hungarian Biedermeier server. Ebonized pearwood veneered on pine and oak

Category

Antique 19th Century Sideboards

Materials

Oak

Large ebonized Biedermeier server

Antique English Painted Server

Located in Atlanta, GA

This server has original paint with a pine top. The patina would make it work in any home.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Country Sideboards

Materials

Wood

Antique English Painted Server

$2,150

19th Century French server

Located in Bridgehampton, NY

French panelled top walnut server, Five drawers, beautiful figured walnut top, brass pulls, a great

Category

Antique 19th Century French Sideboards

19th Century French server

$8,200

Antique Chinese Hardwood Server

Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY

A beautifully designed antique Chinese hardwood server or sideboard with drawers. An older

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Sideboards

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Hardwood Server

$2,650

Kindel Flip-Top Server

By Kindel Furniture

Located in Cincinnati, OH

Vintage flip-top server by Kindel on caster wheels. The top opens (20"L) on supports to a black

Category

Late 20th Century Sideboards

Kindel Flip-Top Server

$1,475

Burled wood server/sideboard

Located in St.amford, CT

Burled wood veneer server/sideboard. Top opens for additional serving space,measuring 78inches in

Category

20th Century American Sideboards

Burled wood server/sideboard

$1,500

Victorian Oak Sideboard / Server

Located in Vancouver, BC

Very large oak sideboard / server / counter / dresser, the rectangular top with carved frieze above

Category

Antique 19th Century Scottish Sideboards

Materials

Oak

Victorian Oak Sideboard / Server

$1,850

American Country Server/Sideboard

Located in Sheffield, MA

Outstanding country server, constructed of pine with a beautiful soft refinish. This piece features

Masterfully veneered Biedermeier server

French 40 s Antique Mirror and Sliver Leaf Server

Located in New York, NY

1940's French antique mirror and silver leaf server with 3 drawers and 4 doors

Category

20th Century French Sideboards

Materials

Mirror

French 40 s Antique Mirror and Sliver Leaf Server

Mahogany Mid Century Server

Located in Hudson, NY

Solid mahogany server with removable center table in the style of Tommi Parzinger. Six drawers in a

Large 19thC English Sideboard/Server

Paul Frankl Server/Sideboard

Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY

A very handsome mahogany sever / credenza with cork front doors and modernist brass and wood hardware , made by Johnson Furniture Co , designed by Paul Frankl and retailed by John St...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Sideboards

Materials

Brass

Paul Frankl Server/Sideboard

$1,850

Antique English Fruitwood Server

Located in Port Chester, NY

An early, stunning sideboard, very antique style, and very elegant. The gallery has dramatic appeal, and will set off the platters or candlesticks placed on the top. Rich in color ...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Sideboards

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique English Fruitwood Server

$9,200

Antique French Blue Server

Located in Port Chester, NY

Wonderful antique blue old counter from France, with three drawers. Light wood top has a lovely grain, lots of character. The early blue paint is appealing, warm and pretty, and sho...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Sideboards

Antique French Blue Server

$5,100

Enfilade Art Deco Server

Located in Stamford, CT

Macasscar with Chrome Hardware

Category

20th Century French Sideboards

Enfilade Art Deco Server

$14,000

Three Drawer Cherry Server

Located in Port Chester, NY

Category

Antique 19th Century French Sideboards

Materials

Cherry

Three Drawer Cherry Server

$4,250

Victorian Mahogany Sideboard, Server

Located in Vancouver, BC

A lovely Mahogany Sideboard with carved back, rectangular moulded top above three shaped, fitted drawers over an inverted breakfront base, three panelled door fronts, shelved interio...

Category

Antique 19th Century Scottish Sideboards

Materials

Mahogany

Victorian Mahogany Sideboard, Server

$1,750

Antique Painted Sideboard or Server

Located in Sheffield, MA

Painted sideboard/server, old mustard/grey paint over red, two doors below a large serving area

Category

Antique 19th Century American Sideboards

Antique Painted Sideboard or Server

$4,900

19th Century English Mahogany Server

Located in New York, NY

19th Century English Mahogany Server

Category

Antique 19th Century English Sideboards

19th Century English Mahogany Server

$8,500

Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets Under $3,000

Antique and Vintage Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

20th Century Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Wood Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

European Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets on Sale

Get Updated with New Arrivals

Save "Servers And Sideboards", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Servers And Sideboards For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of servers and sideboards is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and mahogany, all servers and sideboards available were constructed with great care. We have 649 antique and vintage servers and sideboards in-stock, while there are 8 modern editions to choose from as well. Servers and sideboards have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many kinds of servers and sideboards to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Mid-Century Modern, Georgian and Regency servers and sideboards are of considerable interest. Many servers and sideboards are appealing in their simplicity, but Brendan Bass, Baker Furniture Company and Drexel produced popular servers and sideboards that are worth a look.

How Much are Servers And Sideboards?

Prices for servers and sideboards can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, servers and sideboards begin at $595 and can go as high as $145,000, while the average can fetch as much as $4,217.

Finding the Right Sideboards for You

An antique or vintage sideboard today is a sophisticated and stylish component in sumptuous dining rooms of every shape, size and decor scheme, as well as a statement of its own, showcased in art galleries and museums.

Once simply boards made of wood that were used to support ceremonial dining, sideboards have taken on much greater importance as case pieces since their modest first appearance. In Italy, the sideboard was basically a credenza, a solid furnishing with cabinet doors. It was initially intended as an integral piece of any dining room where the wealthy gathered for meals in the southern European country.

Later, in England and France, sideboards retained their utilitarian purpose — a place to keep hot water for rinsing silverware and from which to serve cold drinking water — but would evolve into double-bodied structures that allowed for the display of serveware and utensils on open shelves. We would likely call these buffets, as they’re taller than a sideboard. (Trust us — there is an order to all of this!)

The sideboard is often deemed a buffet in the United States, from the French buffet à deux corps, which referred to a storage and display case. However, a buffet technically possesses a tiered or shelved superstructure for displaying attractive kitchenware and certainly makes more sense in the context of buffet dining — abundant meals served for crowds of people.

Every imaginable iteration of the sideboard has taken shape over the years. Furniture maker and artist Paul Evans, whose work has been the subject of various celebrated museum exhibitions, created ornamented, welded and patinated sideboards for Directional Furniture, collections such as the Cityscape series that speak to his place in revolutionary brutalist furniture design as much as they echo the origins of these sturdy, functional structures centuries ago.

If mid-century modern sideboards or vintage Danish sideboards are more to your liking than an 18th-century mahogany sideboard with decorative inlays in the Hepplewhite style, the particularly elegant pieces crafted by designers Hans Wegner, Edward Wormley or Florence Knoll are often sought by today’s collectors.

Whether you have a specific era or style in mind or you’re open to browsing a vast collection to find the right fit, 1stDibs has a variety of antique and vintage sideboards to choose from.

Questions About Servers And Sideboards

What is the difference between a sideboard and a server?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
The difference between a sideboard and a server mostly pertains to usage. A sideboard is a side-table with cabinet doors that is used for serving, most often in a dining room (today, sideboards can sometimes be found in living rooms and foyers). In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard. Sideboards have short legs or no legs at all. A server is very slim and is meant to be placed along the dining room wall. It is shorter and takes up less room than a sideboard and is also considered to be more formal than a sideboard — a sideboard might offer a surface to serve dinner, whereas a server might best be used to serve dessert. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary sideboards and servers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
What is a dining server?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A dining server is a type of table that is slim and designed to be placed along a dining room wall. It’s meant to be a spot to stage food before it’s served to guests and not necessarily used for storage, although some dining servers may have cabinets. Find a selection of dining servers on 1stDibs.
Why is a sideboard called a sideboard?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019
A sideboard is nearly the same thing as a buffet, but slightly shorter. Standing against a wall in a dining room, a sideboard’s main function is to supply an easily accessible surface for serving trays, bowls or plates of food.
What are sideboards?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Sideboards are cabinets with shelves and drawers used to store serving utensils, dinnerware and table linens.
What is a wood salad server?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A wood utensil that’s used to serve salad is a wood salad server. Salad servers often feature two oversized forks or a fork and a paddle-shaped instrument. Shop a collection of salad servers from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is the best buffet server?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
Buffet servers — or buffets —are available in various materials, sizes, styles, and designs. Choosing the best buffet server is a matter of preference that complements your home décor. A buffet server is supposed to be functional and useful; you should choose one with drawers or shelves based on your needs. Find a wide collection of antique and vintage buffets on 1stDibs today.
What is a server in a dining room?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
A server in a dining room is a slim piece of furniture placed near the dining table and is typically used to stage food before serving. Traditionally, servers were unassuming and provided surfaces for serving dishes — they occupied less room than a buffet or a sideboard. Newly designed servers include drawers where you can store dishes, cutlery and other necessary elements for meals. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage servers.
What is a wine server called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021
A wine server is formally called a sommelier or wine steward. A sommelier is a person who is trained in the wine profession. This individual is typically very knowledgeable about wines as well as pairing wine and food.
What is a kitchen sideboard?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021
A kitchen sideboard is a piece of furniture used for serving food and storing serving dishes and table linens. Kitchen sideboards long and often sit low to the ground. Shop vintage sideboards on 1stDibs.
What is the purpose of a sideboard?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
The purpose of a sideboard is to provide a place to store and organize items for the home. Often used in dining rooms, sideboards work well for keeping serveware and dinnerware free of dust and hidden when not in use. Some people use sideboards to house entertainment centers, media, games and other odds and ends in living rooms, or place them in entryways to provide places to stash cold-weather accessories, bags and shoes. Explore a large collection of sideboards on 1stDibs.
What would a server use a monkey dish for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A server would use a monkey dish to present nuts and other small finger foods and condiments. The name comes from the centuries-old practice of giving a small portion of food to a monkey to determine if it was poisoned. Shop a collection of monkey dishes on 1stDibs.
What is a sideboard table used for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
A sideboard table is generally used for storing cutlery, napkins and other dining supplies. Sideboards have much in common with credenzas and buffet tables but they are distinct from both of those other kinds of case pieces. Shop a range of antique and vintage sideboards and other storage furniture on 1stDibs.
What is the difference between a sideboard and a hutch?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
The difference between a sideboard and a hutch is that a sideboard is a side table with cabinet doors that was originally used for serving, most often in a dining room (now, you might find a sideboard in a foyer or living room). A hutch is essentially a storage piece made of two parts — there is a set of shelves or cabinets on top of a lower unit, which features a counter and either cabinets or a set of drawers. In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard. A hutch might be of help in serving tea or other beverages, but it is more of a case piece than it is a piece of furniture that is used for serving. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary sideboards and hutches from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
Should a sideboard be taller than a table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
Yes, a sideboard should generally be taller than a dining table in the same space. Look for a sideboard that is about four to six inches taller than the dining tabletop. The shortest pieces you should consider are those of equal height to the table. If your sideboard is shorter than the dining table, your room may look out of proportion. On 1stDibs, find a variety of sideboards.
What is the difference between a sideboard and a cabinet?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024
The difference between a sideboard and a cabinet is the specificity of the terms. A cabinet is any piece of furniture that features interior storage space hidden behind one or more doors. On the other hand, a sideboard is a long, low cabinet often used to store tableware and linens in dining rooms. Shop a diverse assortment of sideboards and other cabinets on 1stDibs.
What is the difference between a buffet and a sideboard?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
The terms buffet and sideboard are used interchangeably, although buffets generally have higher legs and stand 34 to 38 inches tall.
What can I use instead of a sideboard?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
What you can use instead of a sideboard depends on your specific needs. If you're looking for a place to set up buffet spreads when entertaining guests, a console table may be a good option. For storing or displaying items in the dining room, try a bar cabinet, hutch, bookshelf or floating wall shelves. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of dining room furniture.
What is the difference between a buffet table and a sideboard?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
Buffet tables and sideboards are both types of cabinet furniture. Though often used as a synonym for “sideboard,” a buffet technically possesses a tiered or shelved superstructure for displaying decorative kitchenware. The term derives from buffet à deux corps, a piece which is seen mostly in French Provincial furniture. A sideboard is a side-table with cabinet doors that is used for serving, most often in a dining room. In form, a credenza has much in common with a sideboard (it's not uncommon to find a sideboard in a foyer, however). Find a wide range of mid-century modern buffets and sideboards on 1stDibs.
What is the difference between a sideboard and a console table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024
The difference between a sideboard and a console table comes down to usage and storage features. Sideboards are usually found in dining rooms and have shelving concealed behind cabinet doors for storing dinnerware, glassware and serveware. Normally positioned in entryways, hallways and living rooms, console tables may have no storage features or include drawers, open shelves or cabinet doors, depending on their design. Find a large selection of console tables and sideboards on 1stDibs.
What’s the difference between a buffet and a sideboard?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019
The main difference between a buffet and a sideboard is that a buffet is usually slightly taller than a sideboard. However, both types of tables are typically found in the dining room and both serve the same function as a place to put serving dishes.

37 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?

The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.

This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once

Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.