Sideboards, Cabinets & Chests

Sideboard, dresser or chest of drawers?

Sideboards

A sideboard is a low, long cabinet with cupboards, drawers or both. In a dining room it holds plates, glasses and table linen, with a serving surface on top. In a living room it can hide board games and remotes, or work as a media unit if it is deep and strong enough for your TV.

Dressers

A dresser is a sideboard base with a rack of shelves above, traditionally used to show off plates and jugs in a kitchen or dining room. Some dressers in this collection are sold as a separate top and base. Each listing makes clear whether you are buying the top, the base or the complete piece, so check before ordering.

Chests of drawers

Chests of drawers are the most flexible option for folded clothes, bedding and hallway odds and ends. Tall, narrow chests save floor space, while wide chests with many small drawers are ideal for sorting accessories, crafts or paperwork.

Tall storage cabinets

Tall cabinets use height rather than floor space. A slim cabinet with a louvred door suits an alcove, a bathroom or the end of a kitchen run.

How to choose the right size

• Measure the wall and leave space either side so the piece does not look squeezed in.
• Check the depth against walkways and the door swing, especially in a hallway or narrow dining room.
• For a sideboard under a TV, make sure it is wider than the TV and deep enough for the stand.
• Allow room in front for drawers and doors to open fully.
• Check stairs, landings and doorways on the delivery route for larger pieces.

Choosing a finish

Black sideboards and black chests of drawers give a crisp, modern look and pair well with brass or gold-tone handles. Ribbed wood fronts on a brass-tone base have a mid-century feel. Limed, washed and weathered wood suits country, coastal and farmhouse rooms and hides everyday marks well. Grey-washed and greige finishes sit easily alongside painted walls and pale floors.

Safety: anchor tall furniture

Tall and heavy furniture can tip forward if drawers are opened at once or if children climb on it. UK safety advice is to secure tall chests, dressers and cabinets to the wall with an anti-tip fixing, open one drawer at a time, and keep heavy items in the lower drawers.

Sideboards & storage: your questions answered

What is a sideboard used for?

A sideboard stores tableware, glasses and linen in a dining room, with a surface on top for serving food or displaying lamps and ornaments. In a living room it hides everyday clutter and can double as a media unit if it is strong and deep enough for your TV.

What is the difference between a sideboard and a dresser?

A sideboard is a low cabinet with cupboards or drawers. A dresser adds a rack of shelves on top for displaying plates, jugs and books. Some dressers are sold as a separate top and base, so check each listing to see whether you are buying one part or both.

How long should a sideboard be?

As a guide, choose a sideboard that leaves some clear wall on each side, roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the wall length. In a dining room, a sideboard close to the length of the table often looks balanced.

Can a sideboard be used as a TV stand?

Yes, if it is wider than the TV, deep enough for the TV's stand and strong enough to take the weight. Check the internal space for any devices you want to hide, and plan a route for cables at the back.

Should a chest of drawers be fixed to the wall?

Yes, tall chests, dressers and cabinets should be secured to the wall with an anti-tip fixing, especially in homes with children. Open one drawer at a time and keep heavier items in the lower drawers to help keep the furniture stable.

See more storage in our console tables, bookcases and shelves and bedside tables collections.