Is an Antique Buffet and a Server Sideboard the Same

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(Above photo - Georgian sideboard - or maybe server? )

Every dining room requires two pieces of furniture – the buffet and server sideboard. Even though these items are popular with buyers, they are often confused one for the other. So, before you go out to buy an antique sideboard and server sideboard, you need to know the difference between them. Otherwise, you may end up having the wrong piece of furniture in your home. Here we go!

The Antique Buffet

(Above photo - Regency sideboard - or buffet or server perhaps? )

A buffet isn’t very different from a sideboard. It is an elongated piece of furniture with a lower top and storage space. Compared to a sideboard, a buffet is more extensive with shorter legs and more giant cabinets. For that reason, the piece of furniture sits much lower, closer to the floor.

In the real sense, antique buffet and server sideboards can be used interchangeably since they represent the same furniture piece. It’s only when considering where the furniture is placed that the name can change. Any sideboard appearing in a dining room can easily be called a buffet since it is used to serve food. When it moves back to the living room, it is called a sideboard.

When used in the dining room, buffets provide numerous storage options. You can use them for storing linens, serving plates, silverware, and other pieces of cutlery. Given that they have low countertops, they are perfect for serving tea, coffee, and food.

The Sideboard

(Above photo - Large Regency sideboard with gallery )

A sideboard is a form of storage cabinet which is elongated and with a low height. It has short legs and shelving cabinets that reach as close to the floor as possible. Lots of features differentiate several cabinet styles. If you are looking for an antique sideboard, you have to consider when it was made. The English sideboard traditionally stood against the wall at waist height. It would be used in the living room or dining room, depending on the purpose for which one had bought it. The use of the sideboard in the sitting room came much later when they became useful for displaying decorative ornaments.

Modern sideboards, on the other hand, are sleek with longer legs compared to their antique counterparts. In the living room, the sideboard functions as an effective entertainment center. It has ample space on top where you can place a television set, speaker system, and other electronics. The inner cabinets can act as storage for entertainment materials like CDs, DVDs, and so on. A sideboard in the foyer serves the purpose of a console table for welcoming guests. It is also great for storing mail, decorative items, keys, and other items.

Conclusion

Whether you are set out to buy an antique buffet or a sideboard, the function to which you put it will define its name. So, don’t worry so much about what name to give the furniture piece. If you are looking for a sideboard or antique buffet to buy, we have some of the best products in the world. You are welcome to enjoy some of the friendliest prices.