Keeping up appearances. With a sideboard.
, by Sarah Frame, 1 min reading time
We all know what a sideboard is, right? But have you ever wondered how the sideboard came to be?
As self-confessed storage nerds, we certainly have. And we’ve done a bit of delving.
Turns out that the sideboard first appeared in the late 18th century in Europe, especially in England and France. It started as a simple table used for serving food in dining rooms.
Over time, as dining became more of a social event, people wanted a place to display their poshest dishes and store their silverware.
This was pre-IKEA, obviously.
This is when the sideboard evolved. It got bigger, with drawers and cabinets added underneath the serving surface.
These features made it not only practical for serving but also perfect for storing tableware, linens, and other dining accessories.
Sideboards became more ornate over the years, often showcasing fine craftsmanship, with decorative carvings and rich wood finishes. By the 19th century, there was a sideboard in most homes.
Then the buffet came along.
By which, we don’t mean a tray full of ham sandwiches and a plate of sausage rolls. We mean the piece of furniture with the same name.
Buffets are generally taller than sideboards, making them ideal for setting out food at a standing height.
Hyacinth Bucket probably used a buffet at one of her candle-lit suppers.
Back to the sideboards, these have now left the dining room and can often be found in living rooms or hallways, displaying decorative items, more presentable books - or even become the place where the TV sits.
And it’s this sheer versatility that probably explains why sideboards are always in our top five best sellers.