Sideboards are commonly found in dining rooms, foyers, living rooms, and even hallways. Their styles and widths vary, but have you noticed that the majority of them have short legs?
Table of Contents
Why Are Sideboards so Low?
Sideboards are so low because they are intended for long and deep storage pieces. They are decorative elements in the room and should not be obtrusive. Their lower surfaces are more accessible. Another reason for the short legs is to allow for proper air circulation.
Five Reasons Why Sideboards Are So Expensive
The following are the reasons why sideboards are so low in height:
The small size allows for greater utility
The surface becomes easier to reach when the height is reduced. When guests come over, the surface of a sideboard is usually used to display extra meals and dishes. Other times, you can keep decorative items such as flower vases, candles, and so on.
If you use a sideboard elsewhere in the house, such as in the foyer, the small size of the sideboard makes it easier to remove keys and wallets from a low surface. You can mount your flatscreen TV in the living room so that the display is at eye level.
It’s more durable
The primary function of a sideboard is to provide storage space. That’s why the cabinets are so deep. The bottoms of some models are in contact with the floor. It’s a wise choice to store extra accessories in the sideboard cabinets.
Small size is best in this case because being horizontally and wider provides more stable support for the legs. You can store anything without having to worry about the furniture skewing or dipping due to too much weight.
It maintains the furniture’s proportions
Sideboards provide additional surface area for the room, making it appear less cluttered overall. You put dishes away that you want to serve to guests later, such as dessert after dinner.
As a result, having a sideboard that is significantly taller and longer than your dining table may be unsuitable. Your sideboard should only be a few inches taller than your dining table.
Of course, there are exceptions because interior design is comprised of numerous factors. A similar piece of furniture known as a buffet, for example, has longer legs than a sideboard. Even if it’s much taller than the dining table, it can look perfectly proportionate.
Sideboards, on the other hand, are distinguished from buffets by their short legs. Because they are so versatile, you’ll find them in foyers and living rooms as well. Low sideboards, in general, look better when paired with other pieces of furniture.
The Room Requires Proper Air Circulation
A cramped room is not visually appealing, and it can also feel claustrophobic. All furniture should be evenly spaced in both position and height.
An oversized sideboard would be unsightly
Sideboards take up less space because they are low-profile pieces of furniture. When entering a hallway, you don’t want to see any furniture in your path. That is why a low sideboard is ideal for the foyer!
How tall should a sideboard be?
A sideboard should ideally be 36 inches tall. Because this is the best height for reaching items on hands. It is also the standard height of a counter.
The majority of brands produce sideboards ranging in size from 34 to 38 inches.
When making your selection, compare the height of your dining table to that of the sideboard. Dining tables are typically 28 to 30 inches tall. Because of the few inches difference, the sideboard appears proportionate next to them.
What Happened to Sideboards?
Because sideboards are such versatile pieces of furniture, it’s no surprise that you have so many options for where to place them. While you can be creative, the position is primarily determined by the usage.
They are traditionally placed against walls in a dining room, where the sideboard is traditionally placed. The dining table should be in the center, with the sideboard on one side, separated by 24 inches. It’s close enough to reach but far enough away to be comfortable.
If the table is rectangular, the table’s and sideboard’s longer sides should be parallel.
Sideboards in a living room are either facing or beside the couches. When you mount a TV on the sideboard, it faces the opposite direction from the couches. However, if you’re only looking to store items, keep them out of sight and to the side.
Sideboards are placed along the walls of a hallway so that they do not obstruct traffic. You may also see one at the ends of corridors with decorative items to keep the space from appearing empty.
It’s usually near where you’d keep a coat rack in a foyer. Its purpose is to provide a safe place for homeowners and guests to keep their keys.
What’s the Difference Between High and Low Sideboards?
Choosing between low and high sideboards is simple if you know what your priorities are.
Low sideboards are more convenient for reaching items on display while also providing storage. Taller sideboards offer more vertical storage space at the cost of less usable surface space.
If you anticipate frequently moving items on and off the sideboards, a lower one is the better choice. Choose the taller one for more space.
Consider how it will appear in relation to the rest of the room. For example, if your room is large, a tall sideboard can help fill it.
What Should I Know About Long-Legged Sideboards?
Long-legged sideboards are easier to maintain and clean. Dusting is easier because you can get to the bottom and corners. You should keep in mind that a sideboard with long legs will make the top surface less accessible for displaying items.
What Should I Know About Wall-Mounted Sideboards?
What you should know about wall-mounted sideboards is as follows:
They are beautiful, but they are more difficult to install
Wall-mounted sideboards, also known as “floating sideboards” due to their lack of legs, provide a contemporary and minimalist aesthetic that many people adore.
Sometimes, it needs specialized installation by a professional. So you can’t just buy one and be done with it. However, their innovative design makes the effort worthwhile!
For installation, your wall may need to meet certain requirements
To be able to support a piece of furniture, your walls will need to be reinforced with railings, wall plugs, and so on. If the weight distribution is compromised, the fixture may fail to hold and cause an accident.
Your sideboard will not be able to support the same amount of weight as a legged sideboard
Typically, sideboards can easily support the weight of your dining accessories. Regardless, one-sided wall support can not compete with the four-legged support of traditional sideboards.
Wall-mounted sideboards are more decorative than functional. As a result, if you intend to store a lot of heavy items inside, it might not be the best idea.
Is it necessary for the sideboard to match the table?
The sideboard does not have to match the table, but it may look better if it does. A contemporary and sleek sideboard, for example, would look awkward and out of place next to a boho-style dining table.
The main goal is to achieve a balance between the sideboard and the table. Getting them in a similar style is the simplest way to accomplish this.
However, by doing something a little different, you can add more character to the room. A stylish wooden sideboard would look fantastic in a cozy apartment.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the sideboard should not be the same height as the table. Homeowners prefer to distinguish between the heights of the sideboard and dining table by a few inches because it creates more contrast and space in the room.
What Can Be Stored on a Sideboard?
Almost anything that fits on a sideboard can be stored. The following are some examples:
- Dishes, such as dessert, that you want to serve to guests later.
- Napkins, tablecloths, extra cutlery, and glasses should be kept in the cabinets.
- Candles, flower vases, small potted plants, or other decorative items.
- Mount a TV and store remote controls, sound systems, and other electronics on shelves in a custom sideboard.
- A bowl for keys, refreshments, and other items to greet visitors in the foyer.
- Books, newspapers, and periodicals
How Can I Dress Up My Sideboard?
Here are some important points to remember when decorating a sideboard:
Remember to decorate rather than clutter
A few decor elements, such as a flower vase here and an artsy glass sculpture there, will look lovely. However, sprinkling too many small items on the sideboard will make it appear cluttered, so keep it simple.
Artificial plants and fruits are acceptable, but real ones are preferable
Artificial plants and flowers now appear incredibly realistic. If you don’t want to use organic, these are the ones to choose.
Anything that you can tell is fake from an elbow’s distance away isn’t worth it. Succulents are widely available and simple to care for.
Keep it fresh by changing it every now and then
You don’t have to buy new decor every week, but you can keep things fresh by changing the table cover to a different color. You can also get different flowers if you have a flower vase. Such small details make a big difference.
The sideboard is an excellent piece of utility furniture. It can hold cutlery and china as well as display dishes, keys, decorative accents, and other items on its surface. Its small size makes it ideal for all of the utility and decorative elements it offers.