An antique sideboard can be a beautiful focal point in any room. With its character, craftsmanship and timeless appeal, it often needs very little to make an impact. However, styling an antique sideboard well can level up a whole room, giving it a unique yet classic feel.
The right styling can help showcase the piece while making sure it feels like part of the wider room rather than simply somewhere to store things.
Adding an Antique Sideboard into a Vintage Style Home
Depending on the style of your home, adding an antique piece like a sideboard is usually easy and complements the rest of your decor. Just be sure to choose a sideboard with a similar or complementary contrasting type of wood to really bring out the best of the room. An antique furnished room is given an especially unique and charmingly eclectic feel when the antiques’ materials are mixed and matched harmoniously.
Adding an Antique Sideboard into a Contemporary Style Home
Though adding an antique sideboard to a vintage style home is usually simple, some may worry that an antique will clash with an otherwise modern home, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Antique pieces often give extreme character and warmth to a modern home, working with contrasting modern pieces rather than against them. This feel can be unique, but extremely tasteful, depending on how it is styled.
Don’t worry about it looking strange if the rest of your furniture is fairly simple; in fact, this often works wonderfully as it allows your antique piece to really stand out. An antique English sideboard is a statement piece, especially in a contemporary style home, so treat it as one!
Choosing the Right Antique Sideboard for Your Home
While any antique sideboard will make for a unique addition to any room, you should bear in mind which types of wood work best with the colour scheme of the room. For a warm, earth-toned room, opt for a walnut or burr walnut. A light oak sideboard works best in a naturally-inspired interior, particularly with stone floors.
A classic Victorian or Georgian-style mahogany sideboard works fantastically in a white or neutral-toned room, though it is famed for being extremely versatile. Similarly, while pine wood sideboards work best with grey or muted interiors, they can look good when paired with almost anything.
Make sure the size of your sideboard also fits with the rest of the room: opt for a smaller sideboard if you are restricted to a smaller room, but don’t be afraid to choose one that takes up space if you have the space to spare. Again, treat it like a statement piece wherever you place it!
Styling an Antique Sideboard
Once you have selected the right antique sideboard for your home and tastes, styling it will be a breeze.
Use Mirrors
Many choose to top their sideboard with a large mirror; a particularly good combination if the mirror is also antique. This reflects the light in the room, bringing attention to your beautiful antique sideboard.
Add in a Mix of Accessories
Don’t be afraid to contrast the old and new, particularly if the rest of your furniture is an eclectic mix – it can often be a wonderful contrast to decorate an antique sideboard with contemporary art or ceramics, giving an intentional feel to your sideboard decoration.
Make Use of Lighting
Decorating your sideboard with a light source such as a lamp or candlesticks can help enhance the elegance of your piece and draw the eye even more to this focal point. When using decor like candlesticks, it can balance the harmony of your decor to vary their heights, creating a deeper and more curated style.
Bring in Flowers and Foliage
Flowers and greenery are an easy way to bring an antique sideboard to life. A large vase filled with seasonal branches can make a simple statement, while a smaller arrangement can add colour without dominating the furniture.
For a more relaxed look, use dried flowers or foliage. These work particularly well with traditional interiors and can complement the warm tones of antique wood.
Style the Space Around It
The sideboard doesn't need to work in isolation. Think about how its styling connects with the rest of the room. A rug, chair, artwork or lighting can all help tie the look together.
Don't Forget the Storage
Of course, an antique sideboard isn't just decorative. Its cupboards and drawers can provide useful storage, particularly in a dining room. Use them to keep tableware, napkins, serving pieces or other items neatly out of sight. In a hallway, drawers can be used to store keys and accessories you want to grab on your way out the door!
Keeping the storage organised also makes it easier to keep the top of the sideboard relatively uncluttered, allowing the furniture itself to remain the star of the room.
With these top tips for sideboard styling in mind, take a look at my wonderful range of antique sideboards and buffets to find the perfect fit for your home!