What is the Difference Between Buffet and Sideboard

The main difference between buffet and sideboard is that buffets have relatively long legs while sideboards have short legs or no legs.

Buffet and sideboard are two words that refer to a piece of furniture with a flat top, having cupboards and drawers for storing crockery, glasses, and table linen. The words buffet and sideboard are somewhat interchangeable. Some people consider the difference between buffet and sideboard to be their location – if a sideboard is in the kitchen or dining room, then they call it a buffet.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Sideboard
     – Definition, Features
2. What is a Buffet
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Buffet and Sideboard
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Buffet and Sideboard
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Buffet, Sideboard

What is a Sideboard

A sideboard is a piece of furniture with a flat top that can be used for serving platters of food, or for storing tableware and table linens. It typically has a long shape, ample storage space and a low profile. The main characteristic feature of sideboards is their legs. They have short legs or a base that sits directly on the floor with no legs. They also consist of a set of cupboards or cabinets. Moreover, they can come with hutches, which add additional space for displaying fine china or decorative pieces. The top is usually a flat wooden surface, which can be used to display food platters, lightening devices, or other decorations. Traditionally, wood like oak, mahogany, pine and walnut were used to manufacture sideboards.

Sideboards became popular in wealthy 18th and 19th-century households. It got its name from its traditional place, i.e., at a side of a dining room. Today, they are placed in living rooms and other rooms to display various items. In a living room, sideboards can also serve as an entertainment centre since most televisions can fit on the flat top of sideboards. You can also use a sideboard in the foyer so that you can place your keys, mail and decorative items.

What is a Buffet

A buffet is a piece of furniture with a long shape and flat top, used for displaying food platters and tableware. The main characteristic feature of a buffet is their legs – they usually have longer legs. Therefore, buffets are taller than sideboards or credenzas. They provide a modest amount of storage and are ideal for serving food for buffet-style dining. Moreover, we always place them in the dining room.

Thus, there is no set difference between buffet and sideboard. We usually consider their leg size and location as their differentiating factor. For example, if we place a sideboard in the dining room, we may call it a buffet. 

Similarities Between Buffet and Sideboard

• Both refer to a piece of furniture with a long shape and flat top.
• The words buffet and sideboard are somewhat interchangeable

Difference Between Buffet and Sideboard

Definition

A sideboard is a piece of furniture with a flat top that can be used for serving platters of food, or for storing tableware and table linens while a buffet is a piece of furniture with a long shape and flat top, used for displaying food platters and tableware in the dining room.

Legs

Buffets have relatively long legs while sideboards have short legs or a base that sits directly on the floor with no legs.

Locations

We commonly place sideboards in living rooms, dining rooms, or hallway while we place buffets in dining rooms.

Conclusion

In brief, there is no set difference between buffet and sideboard. We generally consider their leg size and location as their differentiating factor. Buffets have relatively long legs while sideboards have short legs or a base that sits directly on the floor with no legs.  Moreover, sideboards are commonly placed in living rooms, dining rooms, or hallway while buffets are placed in dining rooms.

Reference:

1. “Sideboard.” Wikipedia, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Black Wooden Cabinet Under Two Women Paintings” (CC0) via Pexels
2. “Dining room, table, chairs, sideboard, buffet, window, blinds, rug, carpet” (CC0) via Pikist

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