What is a Kitchen Sideboard?
A sideboard is a piece of furniture for serving food, displaying ware such as china and silver and for storage area of other items. Sideboard usually consist one or more drawers, cabinets or cupboards with a flat display surface on top for conveniently serving dishes, holding displays and even lamps or candles for lighting purposes. Its height is approximately waist high. Sideboards are usually seen in dining rooms. However, sideboards these days can be used in any place of the house like the kitchen, thus calling it a kitchen sideboard.
The history of sideboard can be traced in 18th century, but became popular in the 19th century when the household intended to separate room for dining. Early sideboards were made with extravagant details and decorative designs with costly inlays for ornaments. They are either kidney shaped or had a recessed center and square legs. These sideboards are crafted from woods like pine, walnut and oak.
Kitchen sideboards are sideboards placed in the kitchen. These are used for storage and display. It has drawers and cabinets below to store cookbooks, pots, pans, linens, kitchen wares and other kitchen items. The flat top surface can be used to display ornaments, flower vase, fruit trays, or other displays. It may also be used as a food server especially in a buffet style dining. Another function of the top surface is an additional space for food preparation.
Kitchen sideboards have different types. Mostly, it is made of wood and the popular choice of material is the oak, but it can also be made from pine, walnut, and other hardwood. Kitchen sideboards these days are also made of wood but offer a contemporary style especially with the designs and functionality. There is also an incorporation of wood and stainless steel for a more sleek design.
Buying a kitchen sideboard takes a lot of factor to consider. Just like buying any piece of furniture, size of the space always comes first because sideboards have a variety of sizes. Next is the function, how do you intend to use the sideboard. Is it for storing your serving platters, napkins, cookbooks, and other kitchen items and ornamental displays or for preparing and serving food? Consider as well the style and color that will match your kitchen decorations. It is important to pick a sideboard that complements your kitchen décor so it would not look out-dated or out of place. Lastly, think about your budget, how much are you willing to pay for a kitchen sideboard.