If you've ever searched for dining room storage and found yourself confused by the terms "sideboard," "buffet," "buffet table," "credenza," and "console," you're not alone. These words get used interchangeably by furniture retailers, interior designers, and even manufacturers. The result is that nobody quite knows what they're actually shopping for.
The good news is that the differences are smaller than you'd think, and what matters more than the name is how the piece fits your space, your storage needs, and your style. This guide clears up the confusion and helps you pick the right one.
What's the Actual Difference?
In traditional furniture terms, sideboards and buffet tables are closely related but have a few subtle distinctions.
A sideboard is typically a low, wide storage piece with a combination of drawers and cabinets behind doors. It usually sits at about waist height (80 to 90cm tall) and is designed to sit against a dining room or living room wall. Sideboards tend to have a sleeker, more streamlined look and are often used as much for display as for storage.
A buffet table (sometimes just called a buffet) serves a similar function but historically was designed specifically for the dining room. Traditional buffets were taller, sometimes with a hutch or shelving unit on top. Modern buffet tables have largely dropped the hutch and now look very similar to sideboards. The main practical difference today is that buffet tables are more commonly associated with dining room use and food service, while sideboards are used in both dining and living spaces.
A credenza is the more office-oriented cousin. It's similar in shape to a sideboard but traditionally used behind a desk for files and equipment.
In practice, if you're shopping for a piece of furniture to provide storage, display space, and surface area in your dining room or living room, any of these terms will lead you to what you need. Don't get hung up on the name. Focus on the size, storage layout, and style.
Where Does a Sideboard or Buffet Table Work Best?
These pieces are more versatile than most people realise. Here's where they add the most value.
In the dining room is the classic placement. A sideboard or buffet table next to your dining table gives you somewhere to store tableware, linen, candles, and serving dishes. When you're hosting, the top surface becomes a serving station for food and drinks, which takes pressure off the dining table itself. This is particularly useful for buffet-style meals where guests serve themselves.
In the living room is where sideboards really shine. Placed behind a sofa or along a feature wall, a sideboard provides storage for everything from board games and photo albums to throw blankets and spare cushions. The top surface is perfect for lamps, plants, framed photos, or a curated display that gives your living room personality.
In a hallway or entryway, a narrower sideboard creates a landing zone for keys, mail, and bags. It's a practical addition that also makes your entrance feel more intentional and welcoming.
In a bedroom, a sideboard can replace a traditional chest of drawers for someone who prefers a wider, lower silhouette. It works particularly well in larger bedrooms where a standard tallboy might look too narrow and tall.
How to Choose the Right Size
Size is the most common mistake people make with sideboards and buffet tables. Too small and it looks lost against the wall. Too large and it overwhelms the room and blocks walkways.
Measure the wall space first. The sideboard should be no wider than about two-thirds of the wall it sits against. This keeps the proportions balanced. A 100cm sideboard on a 4-metre wall will look out of place. A 150cm to 180cm piece on that same wall will look intentional and grounded.
Check the depth. Most sideboards are between 35cm and 45cm deep. In a dining room with a table and chairs, make sure you have at least 90cm of clearance between the back of the dining chairs and the front of the sideboard. In a hallway, look for narrower options so you don't block the walkway.
Think about height. Standard sideboard height is around 80 to 90cm, which is ideal for dining room use because it's the right height to serve from while standing. If you're placing it in a living room behind a sofa, make sure it's taller than the sofa back so it's visible and functional.
What's Available at TSB Living
TSB Living stocks a range of sideboards and buffet tables across different styles and sizes. Here's a breakdown to help you narrow down what suits your space.
The Glansig Range (White, Modern, LED Options)
The Glansig range is TSB Living's most extensive buffet and sideboard collection. If you want a clean, modern look with high-gloss white finishes, this is where to start.
The Glansig White Buffet Table (180cm) is the largest in the range and suits bigger dining rooms or open-plan living areas. It provides generous storage and a long surface for serving or display.
The Glansig White 3-Door Buffet with LED Light (152cm) and the Glansig White 2-Door Buffet with LED Light (107cm) add built-in LED lighting that creates ambient warmth during evening dinners. The LED feature is worth considering if your dining area doesn't get a lot of natural light or if you entertain in the evenings often.
The Glansig White Buffet Table (150cm) is a mid-size option without LED for those who want the clean Glansig look at a simpler price point.
If you want a coordinated look across your living and dining areas, the Glansig range also includes matching entertainment units and bedside tables, so you can carry the same design language through multiple rooms.
The Tambour Range (Marama and Ayla)
For a warmer, more textured look, the tambour-style sideboards have a distinctive ribbed front that adds visual interest without being over the top.
The Marama Tambour Buffet Table (140cm) is a beautiful mid-sized option that pairs well with wooden dining tables. The Marama range also includes a matching coffee table and entertainment units in 120cm and 160cm, making it easy to create a coordinated living/dining space.
The Ayla Tambour Sideboard (100cm) is more compact and works well in smaller dining rooms, hallways, or bedrooms where a full-sized buffet would be too much. It also has a matching entertainment unit (140cm).
The Anshos Range (LED, Contemporary)
The Anshos Buffet with LED Light (108cm) in white is a compact option that suits apartments and smaller dining areas. The LED lighting adds a modern touch. It's also available in white/grey for a two-tone look.
The Anshos range extends to a sideboard with LED light (135cm) and side cabinet for additional matching storage options.
The Lennart Range (Scandi, Natural)
For a Scandinavian-inspired look, the Lennart Sideboard (120cm) has a clean, natural wood aesthetic that works in both modern and traditional homes. The Lennart range is one of TSB Living's most comprehensive collections, with matching coffee tables, end tables, entertainment units, and even a sideboard and shoe cabinet bundle. If you like to coordinate furniture across rooms, Lennart makes it easy.
The Olveston Range (Warm, Contemporary)
The Olveston Sideboard (155cm) has a warm, contemporary feel with clean lines. Like the other ranges, it has matching pieces including an entertainment unit (200cm), coffee table, and tallboy, so you can build a coordinated look across your living and dining spaces.
The Bojd Range (Compact, Warm)
For truly compact spaces, the Bojd Sideboard (80cm) is the smallest option in the range. It suits hallways, bedrooms, or small apartments where every centimetre counts. There's a matching side table for a coordinated look.
How to Style Your Sideboard or Buffet Table
Once you've chosen the right piece, styling the top surface is what makes it feel like a deliberate design choice rather than just a storage unit pushed against the wall.
The rule of odd numbers applies here just like it does with coffee table styling. Group items in threes or fives rather than pairs. A lamp, a plant, and a stack of books. A vase, a candle, and a framed photo. Odd groupings look more natural and intentional.
Vary the height of items on top. If everything is the same height, the display looks flat and boring. Mix tall items (a lamp, a vase with stems) with medium items (a framed photo, a candle) and low items (a small plant, a decorative bowl).
Leave some breathing room. Don't cover every centimetre of the surface. Leaving about 30% of the top surface empty keeps the display looking curated rather than cluttered.
Use the surface practically during events. When you're hosting dinner, clear the decorative items and use the sideboard as a serving station. Stack plates at one end, food in the middle, and drinks at the other. This is what buffet tables were originally designed for, and it works brilliantly.
Quick Reference: Which One Should You Buy?
You want a large statement piece for a big dining room: Glansig 180cm Buffet Table or Olveston 155cm Sideboard.
You want LED ambience for evening entertaining: Glansig 152cm 3-Door Buffet with LED or Anshos 108cm Buffet with LED.
You want a warm, textured look with matching pieces: Marama 140cm Tambour Buffet Table or Lennart 120cm Sideboard.
You have a compact space or hallway: Ayla 100cm Tambour Sideboard, Bojd 80cm Sideboard, or Anshos 108cm Buffet.
You want to coordinate across multiple rooms: Lennart, Glansig, Marama, or Olveston ranges all have matching entertainment units, coffee tables, and storage pieces.
Ready to Find Your Sideboard or Buffet Table?
A good sideboard or buffet table is one of those pieces that you don't realise you need until you have one. It solves storage problems, gives you extra surface space, and adds a finished look to any dining room or living area.
Browse the full range of buffet tables and sideboards at TSB Living. With Afterpay and Zip available, you can add the finishing touch to your dining room without paying for everything at once.
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