Searching for a sideboard in South Africa? This guide covers types, sizes, costs and styling tips so you find the right piece for your dining room or lounge. Shop sideboards for sale at Click Furniture with free nationwide delivery.
A sideboard is one of those furniture pieces that earns its keep in multiple rooms. It stores dining room essentials, acts as a serving surface during dinner parties, and doubles as a statement piece in a lounge or entrance hall.
TLDR.
- A sideboard is a low, wide storage cabinet designed for dining rooms and lounges, with a mix of drawers and cupboard doors.
- In South Africa, sideboards come in wooden, modern, mid-century and floating wall-mounted styles, starting from around R2,500.
- The right sideboard width sits between two-thirds and three-quarters of your dining table length.
- Click Furniture stocks a curated range of sideboards and buffet cabinets with free delivery nationwide and buy-now-pay-later available.
What Is a Sideboard and What Is It Used For.
A sideboard is a long, low-standing cabinet that combines drawer storage with cupboard space. Most sideboards sit between 75 cm and 90 cm tall, making the top surface the right height for serving food, displaying decor or housing a drinks tray.
Traditionally, the sideboard sat in the dining room and stored table linen, serving dishes, cutlery and wine glasses. Today, South Africans use sideboards in lounges, home offices, entrance halls and even bedrooms as a stylish alternative to a standard chest of drawers.
Sideboard vs Buffet vs Console Table.
Sideboard. A fully enclosed storage cabinet, typically 150 to 200 cm wide and 40 to 45 cm deep, with drawers and hinged doors. Suits dining rooms and lounges where substantial storage is the priority.
Buffet cabinet. Essentially a sideboard with a larger surface area for food service. In South Africa the terms sideboard and buffet cabinet are used interchangeably.
Console table. Narrower (typically 25 to 35 cm deep), with little or no enclosed storage. Decorative first, functional second. If you need real storage, choose a sideboard.
Types of Sideboards Available in South Africa.
Wooden sideboards. Solid wood and wood-veneer sideboards suit warm, natural colour palettes. Light oak and pine tones are popular in open-plan South African homes.
Modern sideboards. Clean lines, minimal hardware and smooth finishes in white, grey or concrete-look. Push-to-open doors often replace visible handles.
Mid-century modern sideboards. Tapered legs, flat fronts and warm wood tones. Often feature cane or rattan door inserts.
Floating (wall-mounted) sideboards. Attach directly to the wall and keep the floor clear. Work well in compact dining rooms and apartments. Check wall anchoring before you buy.
How to Size a Sideboard.
Width. Choose a sideboard between two-thirds and three-quarters of your dining table length. For a 180 cm table, aim for roughly 120 to 135 cm. In a lounge, leave at least 30 to 40 cm on either side.
Height. Most sit between 75 cm and 90 cm. Aim for a top surface at the same level or slightly below the dining table.
Depth. Standard depth is 40 to 45 cm. Leave at least 90 cm clearance between the sideboard and chairs opposite.
How Much Does a Sideboard Cost in South Africa.
- Entry-level (MDF, 120 to 150 cm wide): R2,500 to R5,000
- Mid-range (engineered wood, wood veneer or solid pine, 150 to 180 cm): R5,000 to R9,000
- Premium (solid hardwood, designer finishes or imported): R9,000 to R16,000+
Click Furniture's sideboard range sits within the entry to mid-range bracket. Free delivery is included on all orders, and buy-now-pay-later lets you split the cost over two months.
Where to Put a Sideboard.
Dining room. Place it on the wall opposite or beside the dining table.
Lounge. Use it as a TV stand alternative, bar cabinet or storage piece with styling space on top.
Entrance hall. Stores keys, mail and everyday items. Floating styles keep the entry feeling open.
Home office. Stores documents, stationery and electronics without blocking light.
Shop Sideboards at Click Furniture.
Click Furniture stocks sideboards across multiple finishes and sizes with free nationwide delivery. All arrive flat-packed with assembly instructions. Buy-now-pay-later is available. Browse the full dining room collection for coordinating tables and chairs. Prices start at R1,095.
Frequently Asked Questions.
What is the difference between a sideboard and a buffet in South Africa. Very little in practical terms. Most local retailers use the terms interchangeably.
How deep should a sideboard be. Standard depth is 40 to 45 cm, enough for dinner plates standing upright or wine bottles on their sides.
Can you use a sideboard as a TV stand. Yes, if the surface is at least 40 cm deep and wide enough for your screen with space on either side.
What is the standard height for a sideboard. Most sit between 75 cm and 90 cm tall.
What do you put on top of a sideboard. A lamp, vase or plant, decorative objects at varying heights, framed photos, a drinks tray, or a mix. Leave some surface clear for practical use.
Do sideboards come assembled or flat-packed in South Africa. Most online sideboards arrive flat-packed. Assembly typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
