A sideboard is the workhorse of your interior. It stores tableware, games and chargers, it brings calm to an empty wall, and its top is the place for a lamp, a plant or your favourite bowl. But a sideboard that's too big or too small for its wall never feels quite right.
In this guide you'll find out how to choose the right width and height, where a sideboard looks its best, and when to pick doors or drawers.
Start with the wall: the two-thirds rule
The most useful rule of thumb: choose a sideboard that covers about two-thirds of the wall. On a 300-centimetre wall, a 200-centimetre sideboard is just right. On a 240-centimetre wall you'll land around 160 centimetres.
Leave at least 30 to 50 centimetres free on both sides. That gives the piece breathing room and keeps the wall from feeling crammed. If the sideboard sits between a door and a corner, also measure how far the door swings open.
How high and deep is a sideboard?
Most sideboards are between 75 and 90 centimetres high, roughly hip height. That makes it easy to put things on top and leaves plenty of wall above for a painting or mirror. A lower, longer model feels calm and modern; a taller one gives more storage.
Think about depth and what's in front of it, too. Keep at least 80 to 90 centimetres of walking space in front of a sideboard, so its doors and drawers can open fully.
Where should you place a sideboard?
In the living room
Against the longest empty wall, or opposite the sofa, where it creates a calm counterweight. Hang a painting or mirror above it that covers about two-thirds of the sideboard's width; it looks balanced.
In the dining room
A sideboard next to the dining table is ideal for tableware, table linen and candles, all within reach. A good guideline is a sideboard about as long as your table, or slightly shorter. Do keep at least 100 centimetres between table and sideboard, so someone can sit while someone else walks past.
In the hallway
In a narrower hallway, a shorter sideboard works best. It catches keys and post and gives guests a warm welcome the moment they walk in.
Doors, drawers, or both?
After size, this is the most important choice, because it decides what you can store conveniently.
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Doors: ideal for large or tall items, like serving dishes, carafes, board games and stacks of plates. Everything disappears from view in one go.
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Drawers: perfect for small things you want to find quickly, like cutlery, table linen, chargers and candles.
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A combination: doors for the big stuff, drawers for everything small. For many households, the most practical option.
Which Huis Van Mango sideboard suits you?
All our sideboards are handmade from solid, FSC-certified mango wood and come in several widths:
Around 135 to 160 cm: for a 2 to 2.5 metre wall
Rio (135 cm, natural) combines two doors with three drawers. Hugo (150 cm) has three doors and comes in natural, brown and black. At 160 centimetres you can choose between Maya (black or brown) and Niva (natural or brown), both with three doors, Sophie (natural or brown) with two doors and three drawers, or Oliver (natural) with six roomy drawers.
200 cm: for a wall of 3 metres or more
For a long wall or a generous dining room, Hugo, Maya and Niva also come with four doors at 200 centimetres. Oliver comes in 200 centimetres with six drawers, for anyone who mostly stores smaller things.
Frequently asked questions
How wide should a sideboard be?
Choose a sideboard that covers about two-thirds of the wall and leave 30 to 50 centimetres free on both sides. On a 300-centimetre wall, a 200-centimetre sideboard fits well.
How high is a sideboard?
Most sideboards are between 75 and 90 centimetres high. Lower feels calmer and more modern; taller gives more storage.
What should you store in a sideboard?
In the dining room, mainly tableware, glasses, table linen and candles. In the living room, games, books, chargers and anything you'd rather keep out of sight.
Can a sideboard be used as a TV unit?
Yes, as long as it's wider than your TV and not too tall, so you can watch comfortably from the sofa. Our TV unit guide goes into more detail.
Where do you begin?
Measure the wall, take two-thirds, and see which width fits. Then think about what you want to store: big things, small things or both. That tells you straight away whether you're looking for doors, drawers or a combination.
