Buffet & Sideboard Guide: Storage for Dining Rooms

What a buffet does

A buffet or sideboard gives a dining room a serving surface and closed storage for tableware, linens, and serving pieces. It can also take pressure off the dining table during holidays.

Length and height

A buffet should look proportional to the dining table. As a starting point, choose a piece about half to two-thirds the length of the table. A typical height is 30 to 36 inches, which is comfortable for serving.

Storage layout

• Doors: good for large platters and serving bowls.
• Drawers: good for linens, cutlery, and small items.
• Open shelves: good for display, but they collect dust.
• Combination: the most flexible for a dining room.

Clearance

Leave enough room to open the doors and drawers. If the buffet sits against a wall, check the door swing against the table and chairs. In a small dining room, a shallow sideboard is often more useful than a deep buffet.

Style and finish

A wood buffet warms a dining room; a painted or mirrored piece can brighten it. Match the general tone of the table rather than the exact finish. A little contrast looks collected; an exact match can look like a set.

Protect the surface

Use trivets under hot dishes and coasters under drinks. If you serve from the buffet often, keep a runner or a tray on top to protect the finish.