Sideboards and console tables look similar from a distance, but they solve different problems. Here is how to choose.
Console tables: surface with minimal footprint
Consoles are typically 10–16 inches deep and work behind a sofa, in a hallway or under a TV. Open shelves or small drawers hold baskets and books, but they are mainly about surface area.
Sideboards: real closed storage
Sideboards and buffets are deeper (14–18 inches) with doors and adjustable shelves. They hide board games, table linens, electronics and dinnerware, and their top works as a serving or media surface.
How to decide
- Need to hide things? Choose a sideboard.
- Short on depth? Choose a console.
- Behind a sofa? A console at or just below the sofa back height looks best.
- Under a TV? A sideboard at least as wide as the TV keeps proportions balanced.
Safety
Tall or door-front storage should be anchored to the wall with the included anti-tip hardware.
Compare our console tables and sideboards.