Buy a sideboard – stylish living solutions for your home
A sideboard combines practical storage space with stylish design and is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture in modern living. Whether in the living room as a display unit for vases, books and picture frames, in the dining room as a sideboard for crockery, or in the hallway as an impressive reception area – a sideboard has a noticeable impact on the character of a room. At Möbel Ehrmann, you’ll find a carefully curated product range covering a variety of styles, materials and sizes, all of which will blend harmoniously with your personal interior design.
What makes a sideboard stand out
A sideboard is a flat, wide piece of sideboard furniture that traditionally found its place in the dining room and is now used in almost every living area. It is characterised by its horizontal shape, with a height of between 70 and 90 centimetres and a width that often reaches 140 to 200 centimetres. This clearly distinguishes the sideboard from a classic chest of drawers, which is usually narrower, taller and designed more specifically for storage.
The generous surface area of a sideboard offers space for decorations, plants or a television. Inside, drawers, doors and open compartments combine organised storage with design depth. Anyone who values clean, understated lines in their living room will particularly appreciate this combination of open display and concealed storage.
Sideboards, lowboards, highboards and serving tables – the differences
In everyday language, these terms are often used without clear distinctions being made. A lowboard is shorter in height, usually only 40 to 60 centimetres high, and is traditionally used as a TV stand. A highboard, on the other hand, is significantly taller than a sideboard and resembles a slender cupboard in appearance. The sideboard, in turn, is the historical predecessor of the modern sideboard and originates from the dining room, where food was laid out before being served.
When it comes to choosing, this means that if you’re looking for a low unit for media, a lowboard is a good choice. If you need plenty of storage capacity but have limited floor space, a highboard is the way to go. The classic sideboard offers a balanced compromise between height, width and functionality – making it a good choice for many living situations.
Choosing materials for your sideboard – wood, lacquer and metal
The material has a significant impact on the overall look of a sideboard. A wooden sideboard has a natural, warm and durable look. Solid wood such as oak, walnut or wild oak features an expressive grain and develops a fine patina over the years. Veneered versions combine the natural look with a slightly lower price point and a lighter construction. If you like natural materials, a wooden sideboard in your living room can create a calm, enduring focal point.
An oak sideboard is considered particularly robust and is equally at home in both modern and classic interior styles. Oiled finishes emphasise the open grain, whilst lacquered versions have a smoother, more subdued appearance. Don’t be fooled by a first glance at the wood: a gentle fingernail test on an inconspicuous spot will quickly reveal whether it is a soft or hard wood – with hard woods such as oak, the surface remains unaffected.
As well as wood, colours and special finishes play a key role. A black sideboard makes a bold statement and suits understated, minimalist interiors. A white sideboard brings brightness, makes smaller rooms feel more airy and blends harmoniously with almost any wall colour. Matt finishes have a subtle effect, whilst high-gloss surfaces reflect light and create depth. Metal accents on handles, plinths or struts add a technical contrast that is particularly appreciated in modern homes.
Sideboards for the living room, dining room and hallway
In the living room, the sideboard often fulfils several purposes at once. It houses the TV, provides storage space for set-top boxes, books or games, and also serves as a display surface for pictures, lamps or plants. A wooden sideboard for the living room combines these functions with a warm, inviting feel that noticeably enhances the atmosphere of the room.
In the dining room, the sideboard takes on the classic role of a serving sideboard. Crockery, glasses, table linen and serving utensils all have their designated place here, ensuring everything is within easy reach when serving. In the hallway, a narrower sideboard can serve as a place to leave keys, a spot to collect the post and a coat rack. This creates a tidy first impression right at the entrance – this applies to both spacious hallways and compact entrance areas.
Styles – from modern to classic
Modern sideboards feature clean lines, handle-free fronts and minimalist fittings. They are ideal for homes where the furniture takes a back seat, allowing the architecture and lighting to take centre stage. Scandinavian-inspired models combine light-coloured woods with white surfaces and slender legs – a style that pairs particularly well with textile home accessories.
Classic and country-style sideboards, on the other hand, feature mouldings, visible handles and often darker or limed wood. Industrial design combines raw wood with black-lacquered metal to create a robust, workshop-style look. Which style you choose depends on the character of your home and your personal taste. You can compare these styles directly in our showrooms – so a visit to one of our furniture stores in the region is well worth it, particularly when making major purchases.
What to look out for when buying a sideboard
We recommend taking precise measurements before making a purchase. Bear in mind not only the width of the unit itself, but also the opening radius of the doors and drawers, as well as ensuring there is sufficient space around light switches, sockets or radiators. A common rule of thumb is to allow for around 5 to 10 centimetres of space to the side of each door so that you can easily access the contents.
Pay attention to the build quality of the interior fittings. Full-extension drawers with soft-close mechanisms make everyday life noticeably easier, sturdy back panels ensure durability, and adjustable shelves offer flexibility. If you intend to use the sideboard as media furniture, look for cable outlets and adequate ventilation to ensure that your set-top box or soundbar functions reliably. Buying a sideboard online is straightforward at Möbel Ehrmann – if you’d like a personal assessment before placing your order, you can seek advice in advance.
Combining a sideboard with matching furniture
A sideboard rarely stands alone. It comes into its own when integrated into the overall design of a room. In the living room, it harmonises with a coordinated sofa set or a corner sofa, whose lines are echoed by the sideboard. Explore our range of sofas and armchairs, which can be colour-coordinated and stylistically matched to the sideboard.
In the dining room, a combination of a dining table, chairs and a sideboard creates a harmonious ensemble, particularly when the types of wood and colour tones are coordinated. Using a sideboard in the bedroom as an extension of the wardrobe creates additional storage space for laundry and accessories. You can find advice on upholstery, cushions and cover fabrics in our guide to sleep quality in your own home, which also offers helpful tips for designing adjoining living areas.
As a family-run business with over 30 years’ experience in the furniture trade, we at Möbel Ehrmann stock a wide and varied selection of sideboards from a range of manufacturers. From high-quality solid wood models to trendy designer pieces, our brand portfolio covers a variety of price points and styles. Our interior design consultants are happy to take the time to help you compare materials, finalise measurements and find the model that’s right for you. When planning a kitchen, customers often find themselves wanting a complementary sideboard for their open-plan living and dining area – our colleagues from the kitchen department take such transitions into account right from the start. Our own fitting teams handle the assembly and delivery, ensuring your new sideboard is installed professionally and without any delays.
Care and durability of your sideboard
To ensure you enjoy your sideboard for many years to come, your care routine should be suited to the material. Oiled wooden surfaces should be refreshed once or twice a year with a suitable care oil, whilst lacquered surfaces simply require a soft, slightly damp cloth. Avoid prolonged exposure to standing water and direct sunlight, as this can cause the wood to darken or fade.
Drawer runners benefit from occasional dry cleaning, whilst fittings can be dusted with a lint-free cloth. By following these simple routines, you’ll ensure your furniture retains its functionality and appearance for many years to come. A sideboard is more than just a storage item – it is a design element that shapes the character of a room. Take your time to browse through our range, be inspired by the materials and designs, and please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We’ll be happy to offer you comprehensive advice and look forward to welcoming you to one of our furniture showrooms in the region. If you have any questions about care or choosing the right materials, our team in the showrooms will be on hand to assist you at any time.