Some pieces of furniture have maintained their popularity as fixtures of luxury interiors for centuries and can still be found in high-end interiors to this day. The sideboard cabinet is an excellent example. The sideboard was first developed in the 18th century to be a part of the dining halls of stately homes. However, one look at the modern sideboards will make it clear that despite the innovations in furniture design, the basic structure of the furniture has remained the same, and with good reason.
The original design of sideboards may have been developed to store plates, glasses, cutlery and assorted dining accessories and serve as a flat surface from which food could be served, but their utilitarian design has seen their use spread to many other parts of the house. Modern variations have been aesthetically updated, and now represent a stunning mix of distinctive style and functionality.
These versatile modern successors are versatile and can be put to a range of uses like a storage option in the bedroom, an entrance hall sideboard or as a TV unit in the living room. Traditional sideboards are still very much in use though, and these pieces of Victorian-era furniture lend luxury interiors an opulent and classic charm that can be hard to replicate.
Despite their classic charm, sideboards are perfectly suitable for interiors of all kinds; from classic and rustic to modern minimalist. It is an essential piece of furniture for luxury interiors of all kinds and in this feature, we will look into the compelling reasons why you should invest in a sideboard.
Adding a new piece of furniture to a luxury space ought to be a well-considered decision since it would ultimately have a telling impact on the overall appearance of the space. A sideboard has been a hallmark of high-end interiors for centuries and continues to be high on the list of must-haves for seasoned interior designers in the luxury space.
Sideboard cabinets also offer significant functional benefits, which make them an obvious choice to add utility to a room. We spoke to our designers about the different ways sideboards can be an excellent investment.
While the placement of sideboard buffet cabinets has become considerably more varied over the years, they were originally designed for the dining room and remain one of the most essential pieces of furniture there. The sideboard not only adds to the overall definitive appearance of the dining room with its classic charm and imposing presence, but it still serves as functional storage for your cups, plates, dining table linen, cutlery or as a drink cabinet. Everything you need to host a memorable dinner for guests.
In addition to that, the flat top of the sideboard would serve as the spot to serve from without having to return to the kitchen frequently and interrupt your conversation. We recommend keeping the sideboard within arm’s reach of the dining table so that you can easily fetch the food from the top. The multifunctional aspect of sideboards is particularly reflected when you consider the fact that the top can also be used to place a buffet for less formal dining, or a central surface around which to host.
The entertainment unit is often a hub of activity within a living room, so it is only natural to opt for a unit that would offer significant functional benefits, adequate storage and aesthetic appeal. A sideboard with cabinet would be an excellent choice for this purpose and our interior designers have decorated plenty of luxury living rooms by deploying classic sideboards as entertainment units. The results have been nothing short of spectacular. The flat top of the sideboard coupled with ample storage options make it an ideal for a more classic-feeling and low profile entertainment unit.
However, before you decide to repurpose it as the entertainment unit, ensure that the sideboard is drilled with cable holes so that an effective cable management structure is in place. If you want to use the sideboard as a TV unit, speak to one of our designers for advice on how to incorporate a cable management system into an existing sideboard, as well as recommendations of tried and tested carpenters who can carry out the work for you. Another factor to consider is the height. The sideboard should be slighter above your eye line to create the optimum viewing angle while seated.
Display cabinets are essential to all homes. It is a convenient, pleasing and elegant way for you to provide guests and visitors with a glimpse into your hobbies, interests, preferences and personal life. Using a sideboard as a display cabinet isn’t a brand new idea, and glass-fronted cabinets have served this purpose for many years. The imposing structure of a sideboard immediately draws attention to the display cases and helps create an area of interest.
There are some areas in the house which would be ideal for such display sideboards. One of those is the living room for obvious reasons and the other is a hallway. The hallway is often thought of as merely a short passage en route to the main interior of your home, but the placement of a display sideboard can transform the hallway into an area of interest, as well as somewhere that now contributes to your overall design vision. Opt for sideboards with several shelves with glass fronts so that you can display valuable items like a coin or trophy collection. You might also personalise your sideboard with art, photographs or stylish sculptural pieces.
The home bar is an essential element in a luxury residence and in recent years, designers and manufacturers have increasingly begun transforming sideboard cabinets into fully functional wet bars. It can be an excellent alternative to the bar cart since a sideboard is sturdier, offers better storage and also adds to the appearance of the living space. The storage spaces can be used to store your alcoholic beverages and bar accessories. The top of the sideboard is an excellent spot for mixing your drinks and for placing items like flutes, ice pails, tumblers and cocktail shakers.
We recommend that you customise some portions of the sideboard to turn it into the perfect bar. Consider adding a mirrored tray top, or consolidating space inside the main storage space to easily place a minibar in a central space, hidden from view until opened for use. Additionally, you can also ask us to customise one or more shelves in your sideboard and turn them into wine racks. Consider placing a bowl of fruit on the top of the sideboard to give the home bar a fresh and natural feel.
One part of the house that needs considerable storage space is the bedroom and a sideboard is perhaps one of the best additions to the space in terms of its functional benefits. You can never have enough storage space for the bedroom. While you can keep plenty of items in cupboards, chests of drawers and storage spaces in beds, the sideboard offers you the option of ample storage in one space along with the advantage of easy accessibility. It is quite simply a functionally and aesthetically better option.
The sideboard will provide you with enough storage to keep bed linen, pillows, sheets, clothes to which you may need access and other items. On the other hand, the top of the sideboard can double up as a table and enable you to put the spot to multiple uses. For instance, you can turn it into a mini library or a place to serve breakfast or coffee, or you may decorate the top of the table with artisanal candles and other curios to create a soothing, personalised space to add to the relaxing ambience of your place.
FFCI London has more than 40 years in the luxury furniture and interior design industry, and we pride ourselves on being a trusted name creator of luxury interiors in London, both large and small.
Our longstanding relationships with the best craftsmen and designer brands from all over Europe are at your disposal, and we offer first-class delivery and installation of any product you purchase through us, ensuring that your experience is stress free and convenient..
Visit our 30,000 sq. ft.showroom, the largest luxury showroom in London, to discover, explore and experience a wide range of contemporary and traditional sideboard cabinets, along with professional advice from a team of experienced and award-winning interior designers.
Utilise our complementary services like 3D Rendering, project planning, and enjoy our signature personalised service. We aim to make your design journey as seamless as possible, saving you time and effort wherever possible.
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From getting your proportions right to nailing your style, our design team is at your disposal to help you find the perfect sideboards. Take advantage of our free consultation service by visiting our award-winning showroom today.
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