The best sideboards are far from wallflowers. Long relegated to dining rooms and underutilized walls, these storage cabinets (alternately referred to as credenzas or buffet tables) are blossoming with unexpected silhouettes—just take a look at the architectural details of Lulu and Georgia Hamilton piece by Sarah Sherman Samuelt. Designers are treating this piece of furniture as conversation pieces to invite texture, proportion, and detail into a room—we’re seeing curvy shapes, statement-making legs, faceted fronts that play with light and shadow, and materials ranging from earthy mango wood to coastal rattan.
Vintage picks like the striking teak sideboard seen above from Anne McDonald’s revamp of a midcentury Minneapolis home have throwback appeal. And recent versions are as much about style as they are about stowing away your stuff, calling on smart details like adjustable shelving and modular configurations that make them the quiet heroes of a well-designed room.
We combed through the best of the best—from under-the-radar finds to iconic designer staples—to bring you a curated list of storage cabinets that go beyond basic. Whether you’re hiding clutter, stashing spare linens, showing off your dinnerware collection, or just looking for that one piece to pull everything together, these credenza and sideboard cabinets prove that storage can absolutely steal the spotlight.
Our Top Picks
Best Classic Look
This mossy shade of green pairs a charming hue with a vintage-inspired silhouette complete with twee tassel knobs. Its sloping doors are a refreshing departure from other boxier silhouettes and , while its fluted front feels perfectly textured and polished for a dining room. It’s the kind of piece we think would excel at storing fancy dishware like your wedding china or your grandma’s heirloom Ginori 1735 set.
Best Flat-Pack Design
Article is one of our favorite names for versatile, flat-pack furniture. With its rounded edges and carved-in handle pulls, the brand’s Adel sideboard can fit into your space in a number of ways, whether as a stylish TV stand or a modern entryway piece to greet visitors. Reviewers note how sturdy the piece feels, and although it’s propped up on stubby circular legs, they can be removed for a design that’s completely down to earth.
Best for Minimalists
Black furniture is having a moment—designers have been adding it to their bedroom projects, so why not inject a bit of noir into your living room or dining space? Black acacia wood invites a new level of modernity that is further emphasized by the sleek finish of the Joss & Main Haiden sideboard. (You can barely see the doors!) It’s curvy on the sides, but the angled legs are what give it an unexpected base. While the dark wood can add a bit of edge to your space, If you’re more into a rustic setup, the white oak veneer is an alternative that still retains that contemporary silhouette.
Best for Charming Scalloped Details
Crafted from solid mango wood with a warm weathered finish, this sideboard offers tidy, tailored storage. The brass hardware gives it a hint of an edge to balance out the rustic wood, while the scalloped details on the doors adds some whimsy to the mix. Generous interior shelving also ensures that all those exterior details aren’t just a front.
Best for a Touch of Rattan
The fully woven Serena & Lily Nassau sideboard has curves in all the right places. Convert it into a mini bar by stashing liquor in the side cabinets, glasses in the center, and cocktail napkins in the top two drawers. Brass hardware gives the laidback rattan an elevated touch.
Best for Coastal Elegance
This modern sideboard from Castlery is all soft curves and sun-washed charm (just look at that craftsmanship!). Wrapped in a whitewashed oak veneer, it leans coastal without going full beach house—think relaxed sophistication, not seashells and rope knots. The minimalist metal legs keep it airy and light on its feet, while three balanced compartments with adjustable shelves provide plenty of real estate for books, video game setups, or rows and rows of dishware.
Best for Architectural Flair
The Hanson sideboard from Lulu and Georgia winks at the apothecary cabinets of the 1940s, but adds a decidedly modern twist with a grid-cut relief facade. Made of Sungkai wood, this piece of furniture is exceptionally warm in tone. From a functionality perspective, the soft-close cabinet doors reveal plenty of shelving for extra storage.
Best for Disco Decadence
This console table is a total scene-stealer. Wrapped in a rich, swirling burl wood veneer with a high-gloss finish accented with bold, oversized circular brass pulls, its vibe is very disco-era decadence. At over six feet long, it’s got a serious presence—perfect for anchoring a living room or quietly radiating main character energy under a gallery wall.
More AD-Approved Sideboards
Sarah Sherman Samuel is known for devising furniture worthy of an art show, and the Lulu and Georgia Hamilton sideboard is no exception. The pulls evoke something like the back of a corset, and the fluted columns at the base create an architectural moment. All the while, the soft color of the natural oak grain makes the piece homey.
The standout features on this West Elm beauty are the cheerful, tubular legs which help it avoid typical midcentury tropes. The elevated legs also let you slide things underneath for storage, though there’s plenty within the piece itself. This 60-incher features three drawers for tucking away your dining essentials. The two doors that bookend the buffet reveal adjustable shelves, allowing you to customize the space to suit your needs.
Designed by Nathan Yong for Design Within Reach, the Line Credenza is proof that storage doesn’t have to be boring. Crafted from solid American walnut (yes, the good stuff), the slatted front of this wood sideboard gives it depth and is satisfyingly linear. Whether you’re stashing vinyl, barware, or a mess you don’t want guests to see, this bestseller keeps it all discreetly under wraps.
This sideboard with sliding glass doors exists in the happy medium between open shelving and closed storage. Thanks to a rippled glass effect, display items are artfully blurred. The design also features two adjustable shelves and cord management, meaning it would be a sound choice to store your entertainment setup or house a small library of books.