Sideboards & Living Room Storage Buying Guide

Choosing the right sideboard or living room storage can make a huge difference to how your space looks and works day to day. The best pieces do more than simply provide extra storage. They help reduce clutter, improve layout, and add balance, character and style to the room. Whether you are furnishing a busy family living room, a more formal sitting room or an open-plan space, the right storage should suit both your practical needs and your interior style.

In this guide, we explain how to choose the best sideboards and living room storage for your home, including size, layout, storage types, materials and styling. If you are also planning the wider room, you may find it helpful to explore our living room buying guides for more inspiration.

Start with How the Room Needs to Function

Before choosing a finish or style, think about what you need the storage to do day to day. Some living rooms need hidden storage for everyday items, while others benefit more from display space or a combination of both.

• Family living rooms often need enclosed storage for games, remotes, cables and general clutter
• More formal rooms may suit a sideboard or cabinet that adds character while keeping the space tidy
• Smaller rooms usually benefit from storage that feels visually lighter and does not dominate the layout
• Open-plan spaces often need larger storage pieces to help define zones and add useful function

Knowing what needs to be stored will help narrow down the right type of furniture much more quickly.

Choose the Right Type of Living Room Storage

Different storage pieces serve different purposes, so it helps to decide what will work best in your space.

Sideboards

Sideboards are one of the most versatile storage options for a living room. They provide a generous surface for lamps, artwork or decorative accessories while offering useful internal storage below.

• Ideal for storing tableware, books, paperwork, electronics and everyday household items
• Useful in larger living rooms, open-plan spaces and rooms with long blank walls
• A good choice when you want both practical storage and a strong furniture focal point

Display Units and Cabinets

Display units are useful if you want storage that feels lighter and more decorative. They work well for styling books, ceramics, framed photos and collected pieces.

• Best for displaying favourite items while keeping the room visually interesting
• Often combine open shelving with drawers or cupboard space
• Suitable for rooms where you want storage to feel more open than a full sideboard

Bookcases and Shelving

Bookcases and shelving are practical for rooms that need vertical storage or more flexible styling.

• Useful in narrower rooms where floor space is limited
• Help draw the eye upward and make the room feel taller
• Can be styled with a mix of books, baskets and decorative pieces for a softer look

Media Units

If storage needs to work around a television, a media unit may be the better fit. These are designed to accommodate screens, media devices and cable management more effectively than a standard sideboard. If this is a key part of your setup, it can also help to read our TV unit buying guide once that is live.

Measure Properly Before You Buy

One of the most common mistakes with living room storage is choosing a piece that is either too bulky or too small for the wall it sits on. Good proportions matter just as much as practical storage.

• Measure the full width of the wall where the furniture will go
• Check the depth carefully so walkways still feel comfortable
• Consider the height in relation to windows, radiators, artwork and shelving
• Leave enough surrounding space so the piece does not feel cramped
• Check access routes, doorways, staircases and corners before ordering

As a general rule, a long sideboard usually works best on a clear wall with enough breathing space around it. In smaller rooms, a narrower or more legged design can help the furniture feel lighter. If you are furnishing a compact space, a small living room furniture guide can also be useful alongside this one.

Think About Storage Type: Hidden, Open or Both

The best living room storage should match both what you own and how you want the room to feel.

Hidden Storage

Cupboards and drawers help keep a room looking neat and are ideal for items you use regularly but do not want on display.

• Good for remotes, chargers, paperwork, candles, games and general household items
• Helps the room feel calmer and less cluttered
• Especially useful in busy family spaces

Open Storage

Open shelves create a lighter, more decorative look and can make the room feel more personal.

• Ideal for books, vases, framed photos and decorative objects
• Works well when carefully styled and not overcrowded
• Can help break up the look of a larger furniture piece

Mixed Storage

Many of the most practical designs combine open shelving with closed cupboards or drawers. This gives you the best of both, with space to hide clutter as well as display favourite pieces.

Pick a Style That Works with the Rest of the Room

Your storage furniture should feel connected to the rest of the living room. It does not need to match every piece exactly, but it should sit comfortably with the room’s overall style.

• For modern interiors, look for clean lines, simple handles and understated finishes
• For classic or country-inspired rooms, consider natural wood tones, panelled fronts and softer detailing
• For contemporary spaces, mixed materials such as wood and metal can add contrast and character
• For smaller rooms, lighter finishes can help the space feel more open

If your sofa, armchair or coffee table already makes a strong statement, a more understated sideboard can help create balance. If the room feels plain, a bold storage piece can become a useful focal point.

Consider Materials and Finish

The material of your sideboard or storage unit will affect both how it looks and how it performs over time.

Solid Wood

Solid wood offers warmth, character and durability. It is a strong choice for timeless interiors and often ages beautifully with use.

Wood Veneers and Painted Finishes

These can provide a more refined or contemporary look and often make it easier to achieve specific colours or finishes.

Glass, Metal and Mixed Materials

These are often used to create a lighter or more modern appearance. Glass-fronted cabinets can feel elegant, while metal accents add definition and contrast.

Always think about how the finish will work with the practical demands of the room. In busy homes, easy-care surfaces and durable finishes can be especially important, particularly if the piece sits in a high-use space.

Think About Placement

Where the furniture sits in the room will influence the size, shape and style that works best.

• A long sideboard can work beautifully along an empty wall behind a sofa or opposite the main seating area
• A tall display unit may suit an awkward corner or alcove where floor space is limited
• A lower piece can sit comfortably beneath artwork, a mirror or a wall-mounted television
• In open-plan spaces, storage can help define the living zone while adding function

Try to avoid overcrowding the room. Storage should make the space feel more organised, not more heavily furnished.

Styling Your Sideboard or Storage Unit

Once you have chosen the right piece, styling the surface can help it feel intentional and complete.

• Use a lamp to add height and warmth
• Add artwork or a mirror above to create a focal point
• Layer in decorative objects such as vases, books or candles
• Keep some negative space so the surface does not feel overloaded

If the furniture includes open shelving, mix practical pieces with decorative accents to keep it both functional and visually balanced.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a piece that is too deep for the room
• Focusing on looks without enough practical storage
• Buying a unit that is too small for a large wall, making it feel lost
• Overfilling open shelving and creating visual clutter
• Not checking delivery access before ordering

Final Thoughts

The best sideboards and living room storage pieces combine practicality with style. Start by thinking about what you need to store, how much space you have and how you want the room to feel. With the right balance of size, storage and design, your furniture can help keep the room organised while adding character and structure to the space.

Whether you are looking for a large statement sideboard, a lighter display cabinet or flexible shelving, choosing carefully will help you create a living room that works beautifully every day. You can also browse our wider living room furniture collection to see how your storage can work alongside the rest of your space.