A sideboard is one of the most versatile and rewarding pieces of furniture you can add to your home. Get it right and it anchors a room, provides essential storage and gives you a beautiful surface to style. This guide covers everything you need to know — from choosing the right sideboard for your space to styling it like an interior designer.
Choosing the Right Sideboard
Size
The most common mistake when buying a sideboard is choosing one that's too small for the wall it's going on. As a rule of thumb:
- The sideboard should be no more than two-thirds the width of the wall it sits against
- Leave at least 60cm of clearance in front for comfortable movement
- Height: most sideboards sit between 75–90cm — this should be roughly aligned with the bottom of any artwork or mirrors you plan to hang above it
- Depth: 40–50cm is standard. Anything shallower can look insubstantial; anything deeper can feel like it's encroaching on the room
Style
The sideboard style should connect with the broader aesthetic of the room but doesn't need to match perfectly. Some of the most successful combinations:
- Contemporary glamour: A Richmond Interiors sideboard with marble top and brass legs in a room with dark walls and velvet furnishings
- Warm contemporary: A Berkeley Designs sideboard in walnut veneer with a natural linen sofa and oak flooring
- Eclectic luxury: A DI Designs Witley Sideboard in Aged Oak against a bold geometric wallpaper
- Minimalist statement: A Élan & Co Azara Black Sideboard in a white room with concrete floors
How to Style a Sideboard: The Rules
1. Work in Odd Numbers
Groups of three or five objects are almost always more visually interesting than pairs or even numbers. A lamp, a vase and a small sculpture will look better than two matching candlesticks.
2. Vary the Heights
Create visual interest by using items of different heights. A tall lamp or vase on one end, medium-height accessories in the middle, and something low (a tray, a book stack, a small sculpture) on the other end creates movement and flow.
3. Use a Mirror or Artwork Above
A sideboard without anything above it can look orphaned. Hang a large statement mirror or a piece of wall art approximately 15–20cm above the sideboard surface. The artwork or mirror should be roughly two-thirds the width of the sideboard.
4. Anchor with a Lamp
A table lamp on a sideboard does two things: it creates a focal point and it provides warm, ambient light in the evening. Position it at one end rather than the centre — this allows you to build a vignette around it on the remaining surface.
5. Add Texture and Nature
A vase of fresh or dried flowers, a small plant, or a sculptural object adds organic softness to what is often a hard, linear piece of furniture. This contrast is what makes a styled sideboard feel intentional rather than cluttered.
6. Leave Space
Perhaps the most important rule: don't fill every inch. Negative space is as important as the objects themselves. A sideboard with three beautifully chosen items and clear space around them looks more expensive than one covered in decorative accessories.
Sideboard Styling by Room
Dining Room
In a dining room, the sideboard serves a practical function — storage for table linen, candles, serving dishes — as well as a decorative one. Style it with candlesticks, a statement vase and a decorative tray to keep smaller items contained. During dinner parties, the sideboard surface can be used for serving, so keep the styling minimal and easily moveable.
Living Room
A sideboard in a living room often substitutes for a TV unit or provides additional storage alongside a media unit. Style it with a mix of decorative objects and practical items — a tray for remote controls, a few books, a sculptural decorative piece.
Hallway
A sideboard in a hallway sets the tone for the entire house. Keep styling practical as well as decorative — a tray for keys and post, a lamp for a welcoming glow, and one beautiful accessory. A statement mirror above is almost mandatory in a hallway sideboard setting.
Shop Luxury Sideboards at Nicholas John Interiors
We stock over 130 sideboards across all styles, sizes and price points, from under £500 to over £2,500. Free white glove delivery and assembly included on all orders. Price matched against all UK competitors.
