We believe home design should be stylish and distinctive. From an eat-in breakfast nook to a formal table that plays host to shared meals, a dining space is often the heart of your home. An essential part of that space is the storage a sideboard and similar elements can provide. At Lulu and Georgia, our thoughtfully curated collection has timeless and modern dining room furniture to help you curate your space to your taste.
Not sure what style or design best fits your home as you shop dining room storage cabinets? Don't worry; we have got you covered. Check out the tips below for ideas and inspiration as you choose the best pieces to buy for your kitchen or dining room.
Sideboards, Buffets, and Cabinets: A Quick Dining Storage Glossary
Let’s unpack the sideboard. Sideboard is a broad term for the low, large storage pieces traditionally considered part of a well-appointed dining room. Sideboard cabinets are perfect for holding dishes, table linens, and seasonal decor, while the spacious surface on top can be used to serve food and set food beside the table.
This is still the primary use, and you will most often see the sideboard and its variations placed in a kitchen or dining room. But more and more, this endlessly useful piece of furniture has found its way into other areas, such as living rooms, entryways, and halls, where it provides a statement feature with plenty of cabinet storage and ample surface space—a practical addition to almost any living space.
Though ‘sideboard’ is often used interchangeably with other terms, knowing where those terms come from and how they differ can help you shop the perfect piece for your home—no matter the space.
Sideboards
Sideboard has become the blanket term for all these pieces, but it more specifically refers to a smaller buffet cabinet made for storage and serving food with a compact enough footprint that fits against the wall without taking over the room. A storage sideboard cabinet helps reduce clutter and provides flexible surface space. There are also sideboards with drawers, which can be great for storing smaller elements like taper candles. You may see sideboards called a credenza. Traditionally, these sit lower to the ground and may have glass-paneled doors, primarily for displaying fine dishes rather than serving food.
Buffets
Buffets, also called sideboard buffets or buffet cabinets, are larger than a simple sideboard. They often have higher legs than a sideboard cabinet, sitting at counter height so you can easily serve and display food, as the name implies. Unlike other sideboards, a buffet exclusively refers to an item used as a kitchen or dining room storage cabinet. That’s not to say you can’t style a longer storage sideboard cabinet—such as this Gilda Sideboard—in your living room or hall; it just stops being called a ‘buffet’ then. When shopping, you can use our handy filters to display selections by width and height to find the perfect fit.
Other Cabinet Storage
If you’re looking beyond storage buffet cabinets, you may look into a cabinet or hutch with a taller vertical stand for displaying and storing dishes—perfect for farmhouse kitchens and more traditional curations. Similarly, glass-paneled curio cabinets can be used for storage and display throughout your house. In the dining room, this is perfect for glassware and dining accessories; in a living room or hall, you can fill them with curations of old books, favorite decor pieces, or vintage market finds. In smaller dining spaces or kitchens, you may want the more compact footprint of something like our Kono Cabinet—or a bar cabinet outfitted for holding stemware and cocktail mixing—always tailor your storage to the space and how you use it.
How to Choose A Sideboard for Your Dining Room
When it comes to dining room storage cabinets, size is everything. You want a piece that offers plenty of space for all your storage needs but also fits into the flow of the room. The top should be as tall or a little taller than your table, and you want to make sure there is at least two feet of space between the sideboard and any other furniture so there is plenty of space to move around.
Along with your dining table, a storage buffet cabinet or sideboard will be one of the largest elements in the room—meaning it will carry quite a lot of visual weight. You can lean into this with a black or dark finish as in this Topia Sideboard by Ginny Macdonald—a designer exclusive sideboard with drawers and open shelving—or opt for a light wood finish or rattan and cane design that warms the space and layers in a fresh texture. Take in the space as a whole; don’t just fall in love with a piece in isolation; picture living with it in your space.
However you style it, your dining room furniture allows you the flexibility to showcase the nuances of your design aesthetic. Storage is an essential part of curating a space where family and friends can gather comfortably. By styling a dining space you love, you can elevate one of our most basic shared rituals—with taste.
Lulu and Georgia Sideboards + Buffet Cabinets
When you shop sideboards, buffets, and cabinets at Lulu and Georgia, you'll find pieces that complement the style of your home but also make it feel more elevated. You can choose from our wide selection to find the perfect purchase, no matter what you're looking for. Check our dining room inspiration page for more ideas on styling an inviting table.
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