How wide should a sideboard be?
Width: match it to the wall
| Sideboard width | Example | Wall you need (width + 12 in) |
|---|---|---|
| 31.5 in | The Barn Door Cupboard | about 44 in |
| 51.2 in | The Fluted Bar | about 63 in |
| 55.1 in | The Deco Sideboard | about 67 in |
| 66.9 in | The Rattan Credenza | about 79 in |
If the sideboard sits behind a dining table, it also looks balanced when it is a little shorter than the table, so the table does not overhang it on both ends.
Depth: the number that decides small rooms
Depth is what takes space from the walkway. Add about 36 in for walking (more if chairs push back toward the sideboard) and you get the distance you need from the wall to the table edge:
- 11.4 in deep (31.5 in farmhouse cupboard): about 47 in from wall to table edge
- 15.75 in deep (55 in carved and 67 in rattan sideboards): about 52 in
- 20.9 in deep (51 in bar cabinet with mini fridge space): about 57 in
If your table sits less than 48 in from the wall, a shallow 11-12 in cabinet is usually the only kind that still leaves a comfortable path.
Height: just above the table
Most sideboards stand 30-37 in tall. The 55 in carved sideboard is 33.5 in, the 67 in rattan credenza 31.5 in, the 31.5 in cupboard 31.6 in and the bar cabinet 37 in. Standard dining tables are about 30 in tall, so a 31-34 in sideboard sits just above the table, which works as a serving surface and keeps lamps and art at a natural height.
Doors, drawers or a bar cabinet?
Decide what goes inside before you decide the width. Drawers suit cutlery and table linens; the 31.5 in cupboard has 2 drawers above 2 doors. Tall doors with adjustable shelves, like the 55 in carved sideboard, take serving bowls and small appliances. If the piece will hold a coffee machine or a mini fridge, look for a bar cabinet with a deeper body and a built-in outlet, like the 51 in bar cabinet with its charging hub, and check that the outlet sits within reach of the wall socket.
What they cost in 2026
Price bands from Amazon listings with 10 or more reviews, checked in September 2026:
- Small cabinets and cupboards: $90-120
- 48-63 in sideboards: $150-230
- Carved 4-door sideboards: $186-250
- Solid wood or large farmhouse sideboards: $270-390
- 30-47 in coffee bar and buffet cabinets: $59-160; 48-60 in: $150-230
Our picks
- The Barn Door Cupboard - 31.5 x 11.4 x 31.6 in, 2 doors and 2 drawers, for tight dining nooks, $143.99
- The Fluted Bar - 51.2 in bar cabinet with mini fridge space, wine storage and a charging hub, $251.99
- The Deco Sideboard - 55 in carved 4-door sideboard, 15.75 in deep, adjustable shelves, $288.99
- The Rattan Credenza - 67 in rattan 4-door credenza, 15.75 in deep, 31.5 in tall, $242.99
