9 Quick Styling Steals for Your Sideboard
Make the most of a trusty sideboard, buffet or credenza by carefully choosing what you put above and on top of it
Sideboards come in many styles and sizes, from a classic midcentury original to a rustic chunky beast to a contemporary designer piece. But whatever the type, these useful storage pieces are more than just practical: Their large surface area makes them a display opportunity as well. But how to style (or not style) yours? Check out these ideas from homes on Houzz to get some inspiration.
Max out your midcentury tones. Here, the sideboard is part of a magic trio with the midcentury chair and table, each of which is made from wood in similar tones.
The display ramps up the vintage era of the sideboard, particularly in its use of color. The earthy accent hues are pure 1950s and ’60s and, combined with the bright but muted blues in the painting and recurring black, create a distinctly midcentury palette.
Check out some instantly nostalgic period-specific palettes or color swatches online and use them to build your display.
The display ramps up the vintage era of the sideboard, particularly in its use of color. The earthy accent hues are pure 1950s and ’60s and, combined with the bright but muted blues in the painting and recurring black, create a distinctly midcentury palette.
Check out some instantly nostalgic period-specific palettes or color swatches online and use them to build your display.
Make it practical. This painted piece is positioned at the end of a dining table, making it eminently useful for holding plates and glasses.
It can be tempting to put only your best dish and glassware on display, but make your sideboard part of the family by using it daily, and make your everyday tableware lovely instead.
To boost the well-loved furniture effect, further combine function with beauty by creating a gallery wall above your sideboard. Pay attention to colors and frames when assembling your collection, going for some element of coherence to keep it from looking too busy.
An Insider’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall
It can be tempting to put only your best dish and glassware on display, but make your sideboard part of the family by using it daily, and make your everyday tableware lovely instead.
To boost the well-loved furniture effect, further combine function with beauty by creating a gallery wall above your sideboard. Pay attention to colors and frames when assembling your collection, going for some element of coherence to keep it from looking too busy.
An Insider’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall
Keep an eclectic collection tidy. This sturdy, rustic piece supports a packed and eclectic display. But don’t be fooled, it’s been carefully styled with an artful eye. And symmetry again comes into play, though in a slightly different way.
For your own busy arrangement, choose items that provide symmetry — a trick that will make the display look pulled together rather than chaotic. In this home office, the matching table lamps on either end of the sideboard do that job, allowing a free-flowing collection of treasures in between.
For your own busy arrangement, choose items that provide symmetry — a trick that will make the display look pulled together rather than chaotic. In this home office, the matching table lamps on either end of the sideboard do that job, allowing a free-flowing collection of treasures in between.
Have a theme. A sideboard can serve as a helpful focal point that quickly establishes your room’s theme.
Here, you can see how vividly a coastal feel is conjured up simply with the use of blue, white and some natural rope, along with thematically selected objects.
Again, be aware of balance — take care to vary heights and shapes and, as shown here, try playing with different textures too.
Here, you can see how vividly a coastal feel is conjured up simply with the use of blue, white and some natural rope, along with thematically selected objects.
Again, be aware of balance — take care to vary heights and shapes and, as shown here, try playing with different textures too.
Let an artwork shine. Sideboards are perfect for holding pretty objects, good-looking books, stylish lamps and plants. But you can also use them as a mini stage by leaving them almost bare.
Here, it’s all about the wonderful large-scale artwork on the wall, which has little to detract from it — just a low plant and delicate bowl in colors that echo the art. If you have one standout object or image, don’t be afraid to keep things simple to make the most of it.
Here, it’s all about the wonderful large-scale artwork on the wall, which has little to detract from it — just a low plant and delicate bowl in colors that echo the art. If you have one standout object or image, don’t be afraid to keep things simple to make the most of it.
Go au naturel. These sprigs of green foliage make the most of the beautifully natural wood texture in this sideboard with shelves.
If you have open shelves or shelves above your sideboard, keep either the top of the sideboard or the shelves sparsely populated or they’ll compete visually.
Even on a sideboard without shelves, attractive books stacked on their sides make a great display; choose your colors with care though, and consider removing the paper jackets.
If you have open shelves or shelves above your sideboard, keep either the top of the sideboard or the shelves sparsely populated or they’ll compete visually.
Even on a sideboard without shelves, attractive books stacked on their sides make a great display; choose your colors with care though, and consider removing the paper jackets.
Use mirrors. This floating sideboard in an open-plan living-cooking area has been given the kitchen cabinet treatment with a mirrored backsplash — though purely for aesthetic purposes this time.
If your sideboard is positioned to face a view of greenery or is perpendicular to windows or doors facing the garden, the mirrored effect can be especially lovely as the reflected foliage becomes part of your interior.
If your sideboard is positioned to face a view of greenery or is perpendicular to windows or doors facing the garden, the mirrored effect can be especially lovely as the reflected foliage becomes part of your interior.
Treat yourself to flowers. The sideboard is the perfect place for a fresh vase of flowers or a stem or two.
Make sure you have a couple of really good vases of different shapes and sizes (for varied flowers) that work with the colors in the room, and make your blooms a key part of the display. It’s a great way to vary your sideboard display weekly, as different styles of flowers will create different moods, from strong and sculptural to soft and country. Or simply opt for blooms in a striking shade that complements a large piece of art, as seen here, or a statement object.
Tell us: Do you have a sideboard in your home? Where is it, what do you use it for and what’s on top of it? Please share in the Comments.
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Make sure you have a couple of really good vases of different shapes and sizes (for varied flowers) that work with the colors in the room, and make your blooms a key part of the display. It’s a great way to vary your sideboard display weekly, as different styles of flowers will create different moods, from strong and sculptural to soft and country. Or simply opt for blooms in a striking shade that complements a large piece of art, as seen here, or a statement object.
Tell us: Do you have a sideboard in your home? Where is it, what do you use it for and what’s on top of it? Please share in the Comments.
More
Buffet, Sideboard, Server, Credenza: What’s the Difference?
Browse more decorating guides
Note how the glimmering gold artwork sets the tone and is connected to the display below by a couple of color-matched details and the sconces that punctuate the arrangement on either side. The black, glossy lamp is echoed in the picture frames, and while the greenery and tonally similar pottery are on their own, they’re a group of three — the magic number in design that creates its own balance.
When arranging any display, use your eyes to decide whether there’s equal visual weight on either side, if your colors have partners and if there’s enough variety of height and shape.