Sideboard facts for kids
A sideboard, also known as a buffet, is a piece of furniture often found in a dining room. People traditionally use sideboards for serving food, showing off nice dishes, and storing things. It usually has cabinets or cupboards and drawers. These are topped with a flat surface, perfect for holding food, serving dishes, or even lamps.
The words sideboard and buffet are often used for the same thing. However, if the furniture has short legs or sits right on the floor, it's usually called a sideboard. If it has longer legs, it's more often called a buffet.
History of Sideboards
Sideboards as we know them today first appeared in the 1700s. They became very popular in the 1800s. This was because more families had enough money to have a special room just for eating meals.
These furniture pieces came in many different styles. They were often decorated with expensive veneers (thin layers of wood) and inlays (patterns made by setting pieces of material into the surface). Over time, sideboards also started to be used in living rooms or other areas to display household items.
Sideboards Today
In formal dining rooms, an old or antique sideboard is still a very popular item. Sideboards from the late 1700s or early 1800s are especially sought after and can be quite valuable.
In modern furniture, a similar piece might be called a "server." Some of the first sideboards were made in countries like England, France, Poland, Belgium, and Scotland. Later, American designs also became popular.
Materials Used
Historically, sideboards were made from several types of wood. Common materials included mahogany, oak, pine, and walnut. These woods were chosen for their beauty and strength.
