Sideboards: doors and wings hide unsightly secrets
Sideboards are the chameleons of furniture – they can be storage space supremes, TV stands, cocktail bars, room dividers or a platform for art. Or they can even be the artwork itself. I’ve picked out my 10 favourite sideboards that win you over with both form and function.
Furniture doesn’t always have to be in-built; storage furniture also does a great job. For instance, you can use sideboards to gather together things like books, ring binders and tableware. And at the same time, you’re decorating a wall or room. That’s assuming you opt for good design. I think these ten sideboards work particularly well.
1. Lowboard «Class» with herringbone pattern
Dutchbone’s «Class» might seem a bit old-fashioned, but the vintage look is just a stylistic element to lend the lowboard more class than any old run-of-the-mill model. Hailing from the 21st century, this piece offers plenty of space for all kinds of odds and ends with its mix of drawers and doors. Details such as the herringbone pattern give the surface a refreshed look and the brass handles brighten the dark acacia wood furniture. It gets brownie points for its slim, powder-coated metal frame that the body sits on. But its shortcoming is that «Class» comes in a fairly dominant style and monopolises the room.
A herringbone sideboard goes well with retro or industrial furnishing styles, but not necessarily with the Scandi or country home look.
2. Perforated plate sideboard «Grid»
The «Grid» sideboard from Kristina Dams Design is more adaptable. Given that walls are often white, it fits seamlessly into any room. This sideboard gives you a taste of what’s inside but also makes you guess what could be behind the perforated steel sheet doors. Transparency is something you can play with, by intentionally arranging objects inside in order to orchestrate the design of this piece of furniture. Another advantage of its construction is that things are easier to find. If you don’t like white, you can get the same model in black powder-coated steel. Whichever colour you choose, one thing’s certain: you’ll have to keep it tidier than other sideboards because of its see-through nature. Only the back wall is smooth and opaque. Something you might also want to bear in mind is that unlike wood, metal doesn’t have as warm a feel in a room.
The linear look of «Grid» lets you pair it with a number of different furnishing styles. It would only look a bit out of place in glamorous or rustic interiors.
3. «Collection» – an ornamental piece
The BePureHome sideboard «Collection» is also an eye catcher. This time not because of the interior but because of the front. Made of mango wood in an understated, monochrome design, this sideboard comes in a classic shape that lends certain points a shimmer. The bladelike feet also add a special touch. They incorporate the design’s round silhouette and lift the body up. That’s what makes the piece seem airy and light. And yet, it should still have enough space to show itself at its best.
«Collection» works best with minimalist, modern or Scandi living spaces as well as with wooden furniture in the same colour.
4. Sliding-door sideboard «Barbier»
With its two sliding doors, two height-adjustable glass shelves, and a recess for cables on the back, «Barbier» from Dutch brand Zuiver focuses on simple design. And yet, it still looks extravagant. The vertical slats are decorative, the rounded edges nestle into the surroundings, while the ash wood makes the room feel three degrees warmer. Its sliding doors are the perfect place for hiding away odds and ends. But you can also leave them open and have electronic devices or other objects on show. A cocktail cabinet, for instance. If the sideboard doesn’t offer you enough space, you can add a matching dresser.
Both of the «Barbier» pieces are perfectly suited to 70s-esque interiors – or anywhere that you want to break up the style.
5. All about that grip: «Kabino»
Cut-out handles can be useful as well as decorative. Simon Legald’s «Kabino» design for Danish brand Normann Copenhagen is proof of this. Two of the recesses for the handles are diagonal to each other. That adds an usual element and helps emphasise the four different cubicles. The mix of materials also brings a touch of variety. While the doors are made of steel, the frame comes in solid ash wood. The heavy metal look might not appeal to everyone. But the shape and mat grey tone make «Kabino» an allrounder.
At almost 160 cm across, «Kabino» even looks good in front of a bed of the same width. The sideboard also complements all furnishing styles, except perhaps country house or 70s designs.
6. Winged sideboard «Treasures»
The design piece «Treasures» by Umage cuts its own path, as it boasts two swing doors on the side as well as the two doors in the middle. Behind one of the swing doors, there’s a rail for bottles. It’s perfect for a little cocktail cabinet. «Treasures» comes in three designs: natural, dark brown or black stained. Not only that, the winged section also boasts three different styles: grey fabric, cognac-coloured pleather or Viennese mesh. The latter lends the piece a lightness that’s particularly beneficial for small rooms. The only fly in the ointment is that there’s only a fair amount of storage space behind two of the doors.
This winged sideboard easily integrates into your home. Simply choose your material and add another piece of furniture in Viennese mesh. That helps to form a uniform look.
7. For a look with a difference: «Gravure»
When it comes to «Gravure», the focus is on the material. The sideboard features a finger-jointed ash finish and is given a brown, espresso stain. Meanwhile, the surface consists of several narrow wooden beams, which create a stripe pattern. To show this off to its best advantage, the black-coated metal legs are kept simple.
«Gravure» is suitable for the study, living room or bedroom, and it’s right at home in rustic and elegant decor.
8. «Boli» for more transparency
The display case comeback has made its mark on the world of sideboards. The only difference with this Dutchbone design is that the structural glass is transparent. You can have a fair idea of what’s hiding behind it, but you can’t be sure. There’s also a «Boli» dresser that matches the sideboard. This is perfect if you enjoy playing with transparency and making the front look different every time. The only downside is that «Boli» is made of two cold materials. That’s why you need soft furnishings, wood elements or a reddish colour palette to warm it up.
Where «Boli» truly comes into its own is when it’s used as an extra crockery cupboard in the kitchen, dining room or living room. Just make sure you capture the metal parts and mirror this design in a side table. That way this piece of furniture will go with lots of different styles.
9. Swing door sideboard «Marielle»
The «Marielle» piece by Jordi Dedéu for Kave Home also comes in a stripe design. With the difference being that this sideboard is adorned with horizontal rather than vertical stripes. Alongside two swing doors, there’s an open slot, which is pretty rare. You can use this to display a souvenir or vase. However, this premium spot comes at a price, and you’ll need to dust it regularly.
As they say, birds of a feather flock together. «Marielle» goes well with set-ups that feature a lot of wood, and it looks great with Scandi or classic interiors.
10. «Jut» for contrast
Most sideboards captivate you with their façade. With that in mind, Skagerak’s «Jut» design scores points for its black marble shelf space in particular. Its material refines any simple shape and gives it a unique character. The solid plate is also doubly emphasised. Narrow brass handles separate it visually from the body that’s made of solid, oiled FSC oak. Meanwhile, the stalk-like legs offer a delicate contrast. The latter also ensure that the ample sideboard doesn’t look too chunky. It’s good to know that on the inside, there’s an adjustable shelf on the middle and right panel – the left one is completely free.
«Jut» readily blends in with minimalist rooms or the complete opposite. The marble plate and brass also suit glamorous looks, while the wood fits in well with country chic styles.
This is the sixth instalment of the «Form Follows Function» series, where I give you a comprehensive intro to particularly well-designed furniture.
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Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
