The Sideboard
Sideboards can come in an array of styles and with lots of different features. The modern-day sideboard is often sleek and can have slightly longer legs than a traditional sideboard.

When placed in a living room, sideboards can function as an entertainment center. Because of their large amount of storage space and that most televisions can comfortably fit on top, sideboards make a great option for an entertainment center.

When placed in a foyer, a sideboard can be used to welcome guests with a place that serves to store keys, mail, and decorative items.

The Buffet
A buffet, much like a sideboard, is a piece of furniture with a long, low storage space. Buffets are usually the more substantial piece of furniture between the two. Buffets can often have larger cabinets and shorter legs which make it sit lower to the floor.

Ultimately, a buffet and a sideboard are interchangeable names for the same piece of furniture.The name only changes based on where the furniture is placed. A sideboard placed in the dining room is called a buffet, but once it is moved to the living room, it is referred to as a sideboard.

Buffets serve as a great piece of storage furniture for your dining room. Silverware, serving plates and linens are often stored in buffets. Their low countertops make a great surface area for serving food, coffee, or tea when having guests over.