The sideboard is such a useful piece of furniture for households. But the exact size of it is not known to many people and that’s a normal thing.
So, to some point, you might have also thought of the exact height, length, and depth of a sideboard. Therefore, a common question regarding how tall, long, and deep a sideboard should be must have aroused in your mind.
How Tall Should A Sideboard Be?
The standard height of a sideboard should be between 34 inches to 38 inches tall. As the average height of the dining table is about 28 inches to 30 inches tall. So, a taller sideboard seems well-proportioned to a dining table. Also, taller sideboards are easier to serve and take food dishes.
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A sideboard is placed in the dining room near the dining table or sometimes the kitchen counter. So it’s a rule of thumb that a sideboard should have a standard height between 34 inches to 38 inches. So that it can have a balanced height as a kitchen counter, that is 36 inches tall.
Mainly, the average height of a dining table is between 28 inches to 30 inches. Therefore, manufacturers make sideboards taller than the dining table by taking into account people’s preferences.
As a taller sideboard looks well-proportioned in the dining room as well as it’s easier to serve and take food dishes.
How Long Should A Sideboard Be?
A sideboard should be 60″ long on average by side to side length. As sideboards are used for serving food dishes, so an adequate tabletop space is highly needed. So that setting out a lot of food dishes becomes easier. But a 44″ long sideboard is also available which suits a smaller dining area.
As sideboards are supposed to use for serving food dishes. Therefore, an ample amount of space on the tabletop is required so that the dishes get enough space to be placed on. So a sideboard with a length of about 60 inches is the standard length. And the length is measured side by side.
But sideboards can be found in 44 inches long too. And this type of sideboard is perfect for a smaller dining area or to use in an eat-in kitchen.
How Deep Should A Sideboard Be?
A sideboard should be 16 inches deep at least. As this much depth will allow to keep the large platters of food safely over it without having any threat of collapsing off the front side. However, keep 30” space between furniture and the sideboard for comfy furniture circulation.
Sideboards have another important purpose which is, along with serving food dishes on it, serving dishes, tray, plates, cutlery also can be stored inside it.
Therefore, an average depth of 16 inches is highly required in a sideboard. So that the large platters of food can be safely placed over it without any risk of tipping off from the front side.
Also, keep at least 30 inches of space between the sideboard. As sideboards are kept near the dining table so this much space will allow people to move the chairs freely.
What Is The Average Height Of A Sideboard?
The average height of a sideboard is between 34 inches to 38 inches. Because a sideboard should be taller than the dining table.
A dining table’s average height is about 28 inches to 30 inches. So people prefer taller sideboards. As it is easier to serve food dishes or take dishes from a taller sideboard than a shorter sideboard.
Also read, Why are sideboards so low?
Also, a taller sideboard looks well-proportioned to the dining hall and the dining table. A shorter sideboard might just create an imbalanced haphazard look inside the room.
Another point is, manufacturers make exact 36 inches tall sideboards too. As there is a good rule of thumb that a sideboard should have the same height as the kitchen counter, which is 36 inches. So, the average height of the sideboard is considered 36 inches as well.
Why Size Matters With Sideboards?
Here are three reasons that explain why size matters with sideboards.
For maintaining a well-proportioned look
A sideboard’s size really matters when it comes down to maintaining a well-proportioned look with the dining area. And in that case, a standard height is the major point that is taken into account.
The size of a sideboard in the dining room should complement the other furniture around it.
As sideboards are placed near the dining area or kitchen cabinet, therefore, a sideboard with a standard height of 34”-38” maintains is suitable for both serving and taking dishes easily and a taller sideboard gives a balanced look in comparison to the dining table and kitchen counter’s height.
Provides ample space for placing food dishes
The second main reason is a properly sized sideboard provides ample space for safely placing food dishes on the top surface of it.
As said before, a sideboard is used for serving food dishes over it so a sideboard with a standard length of 60” will provide you enough room for placing your food dishes safely on the top.
Also sometimes there are too many food dishes and a long sideboard will give much space to keep all of them on top of it.
Avoids unwanted collapsing of large platters
Sideboard’s size also matters when you are using it keeping the large food platters. As the sideboard is also used for storing extra plates, dishes, cutlery sets, etc.
So a sideboard with enough depth helps to keep them safely without having the risk of unwanted tipping off the front side.
Therefore, a sideboard with an average depth of 16 inches is recommended.
How Do I Choose A Sideboard?
While choosing a sideboard three factors are always considered, right style, right material, and functionality. So here these three common factors and questions regarding this are going to be broken down.
How do I choose the right style buffet or sideboard?
The right style buffet or a sideboard is that matches your entire furniture decor and looks classy and timeless. If you didn’t buy a dining room or living room furniture set then go for a style that has a similar finish and style.
If you want something different then choose a creamy white or pastel color piece for having a French country or cottage style vibe. Or can choose an antique-style piece to add an antique vibe to all modern furniture. Or even a painted buffet or sideboard to add a contrasting color.
How do I choose the right material for a buffet or sideboard?
As most of the buffet or sideboards are made of wood so try to match the wood type with your dining table or at least match the wood tone.
Otherwise, choose a contrasting color material. Like for a light-tone oak-made dining table, you can choose a mahogany-made sideboard or buffet to add contrast.
How do I select the most functional buffet or sideboard for my needs?
Choosing the right functional buffet or sideboard depends on your purposes of using it. So write down notes about how you want to use it then precisely check if the buffet or sideboard features those utilities or not.
For instance, if you want to store bigger items then choose a sideboard or buffet with adjustable shelves. Or if you want to keep napkins, cutlery set, etc. then choose a buffet or sideboard with drawers.
What Size Sideboard Should I get?
You always should choose a sideboard that is taller than your dining table or has the same height as your kitchen counter.
Because when a sideboard is taller than your dining table, it becomes easier for others to take dishes from sitting on chairs. And it’s easier for you to serve food dishes on a taller tabletop than a shorter one.
Moreover, if the sideboard is near the kitchen counter then it should have the same height as your kitchen counter. Because it’s easily accessible and you certainly wouldn’t prefer to bend low to keep dishes.
The recommended size of a side table is between 34”-38” tall.
Does A Sideboard Have To Match The Dining Table?
Not necessarily a sideboard needs to match the dining table. It can either match your dining room décor and other furniture or can be vastly different from it to give a contrasting, modern, or vintage look.
If you didn’t purchase an entire dining room set and want to go for the same style sideboard, then you can match a similar style and finish sideboard to the other furniture. Like you can match the material, or the material tone, or a similar design will work perfectly.
However, if you want to add a little spark then you can completely mismatch the style, tone, and finish. Like to add a vintage look you can choose a mid-century sideboard.
Or to add a French vibe you can match a pastel color or cream white color French country sideboard.
Or you can just match colorful painted buffet or sideboard to add contrast.
How Much Space Between A Sideboard And Table?
At least 30 inches of space should be there between a sideboard and a table. It doesn’t matter what shape the dining table is, it must have this much space between the table edges and the sideboard.
Though it’s not enough, but it will allow people to move their chairs in the middle of having a meal.
Again to mention, 34”-38” tall, 60” long, and 16” deep sideboard is the most widely acceptable size for a sideboard. So, whenever you intend to buy one for yourself, always go for this size.