A sideboard is a piece of furniture that until recently was associated exclusively with a grandmother's kitchen. However, it is now making a comeback in a slightly different form. What is the history of the sideboard? What should you consider when choosing one?
A Brief History of the Sideboard
The sideboard was known as early as the 15th century. It was used at that time for storing tableware and sealed dishes. A slightly more ornate version of this piece of furniture appeared in Italy around 1500. It was then known as “credenzone” and served as an intermediary element between a chest and a wardrobe. The sideboard took the form of a low, wide cabinet, closed at the front with two doors, above which drawers were placed. Its decoration included embellished tableware, bowls, jugs, and goblets.
Sideboards adorned with sculptural decorations featuring architectural motifs were particularly impressive. In later years, this piece of furniture also appeared in French furniture design, where variations such as the dressuar emerged. This is a piece on high legs, resembling a medieval, Gothic column wardrobe. In France, a slightly more massive buffet with wide side-opening doors was also very popular. Over time, the sideboard grew larger and taller. For Polish design, large, richly decorated sideboards were characteristic.
In traditional households, the function of a sideboard was served by a large piece of furniture used to store food products that required a dry place, such as sugar or spices. It also housed tableware, tablecloths, and napkins. In the 19th century, the two-tiered sideboard became popular, with an upper, often glass-fronted section for displaying decorative dishes.
How to Choose the Perfect Italian Sideboard?
Wood is most commonly used for the production of sideboards. They can be kept in natural brown tones or come in shades of beige, white, or gray. Models with aged, distressed surfaces are particularly striking. This is an ideal solution for interiors in classic, Provencal, or Scandinavian styles.
Individual sideboard models may differ in dimensions and construction. In addition to closed cabinets, they may also have open shelves or glass-fronted display cases where you can place elegant tableware, family heirlooms, or favorite knick-knacks.
The sideboard is an extremely versatile piece of furniture that can be used in various rooms. It can be placed in the kitchen, where it will be perfect for storing cups, mugs, or bowls. In its lower part, you can store pots, tablecloths, less frequently used household appliances, or long-shelf-life food products like flour, groats, or pasta. Sideboards equipped with an additional countertop are very practical, as they can hold herb pots, for example.
Another room where a sideboard will work well is the dining room. Its closed sections are best used for storing tableware, while the open sections can display porcelain cups or decorative plates.
Recently, Italian sideboards are increasingly found in living rooms. It's no surprise - this is a representative room where such decorative furniture will certainly pass the test. This type of furniture can be transformed into a stylish home library. In its upper part, it's worth displaying books with elegant covers, while the lower part can be used for storing documents.
