When you start to decorate your contemporary home, you realise after choosing wallpaper, paints and fabrics that you also need contemporary storage solutions to keep clutter to a minimum. Few pieces are more versatile than a sideboard. Sideboards not only provide practical storage and hide a multitude of sins, but they also make a contemporary design statement that can make a striking addition to a room.



Sideboards are pieces of furniture with compartments for storing plates, glasses and household items, usually containing drawers and cupboards and sometimes shelves for display. Some sideboards also have internal lighting. With clean lines, new looks and bolder design statements, contemporary sideboards have broad, modern appeal.

Contemporary sideboards are a must in a dining room or lounge/diner for storing a dinner service, silverware, cutlery, napkins and condiments. Some have drop-down doors that serve as a work surface for holding dishes or as a bar for preparing drinks. The sideboard top is useful for holding extra plates and bottles of wine while dining with guests, especially when the table surface is full. With the addition of glass doors, contemporary sideboards also provide an opportunity to display elegant pieces, crystal and objets d'art.

In the living room, contemporary sideboards are ideal for storing drinks, toys, books and all kinds of media. The sideboard top is perfect for displaying photographs and family heirlooms. Complement the design by choosing contemporary picture frames. Sideboards are set beautifully by a pair of elegant table lamps.

The hall can often be overlooked but remember it is the first impression your guests will have of your contemporary home. As well as adding design impact, sideboards will keep telephone directories, books, hats and gloves, keys and clutter out of sight.

In a home office or study, sideboards will hold stationery, office supplies and electronics and provide a work surface for printers and filing trays. Choose sideboards with lockable doors to keep valuables or confidential information safe.

Upstairs, sideboards can make a welcome addition to a bedroom or landing for storing blankets and bedding and even to the bathroom where towels, bathmats and toiletries can be neatly folded away.

Start shopping and you'll soon discover the vast range of sideboards that are available. But how do you choose which ones are right for you? Here are some points to consider:

SPACE

First, decide which rooms would benefit from the addition of sideboards. Consider upstairs as well as downstairs. Once you decide how many you need, be practical and measure the space they will fit in. Measure the height, width and depth. Shop armed with the facts!

SIZE

Next, choose the appropriate sized sideboards for their uses ? sideboards are available with two, three, four and even five or six doors. The smallest sideboards are great for a child's bedroom, under the stairs or in a tight space on a landing. The largest make a dramatic addition to a contemporary dining room. Low sideboards make a contemporary design statement but are also practical for homes with low or slanted ceilings.

DOORS

Do you need sideboards with display, others without? Open shelving or glass doors? Sideboards with glass doors often have optional illuminated display shelving. Glass doors at low levels won't be practical where children will be playing, by doorways where you may be carrying bags in and out or in high-traffic areas such as in a hall or busy office. Where space is at a minimum or where opening doors on hinges would prove tricky such as in tight corners or under stairs, sideboards with sliding doors provide the perfect solution. Consider also the option of pull-down or lockable doors. Doors in contrasting materials and decorative handles maximize design impact.

DRAWERS

Sideboards with drawers are often useful in the breakfast or dining room for storing cutlery, placemats and napkins. Also consider sideboards with drawers for a home office or study for organizing stationery and office supplies. Sideboards with no drawers and large compartments are ideal for holding taller items such as bottles and vases or bulky bedding and chunky knits. Large storage compartments with internal shelving are ideal for toys and media such as books, CDs, DVDs and games.

MATERIALS

When it comes to design, it's a matter of personal taste. Contemporary sideboards can make a bold design statement or complement the furniture you already have. If in doubt, go with neutral colours or natural materials. When deciding on materials, consider where the sideboard will be, how often it will be used, what it will store and therefore how durable it needs to be.

Solid wood furniture is a smart investment. Even with wear, solid wood gains character and charm and becomes a part of your family. Solid wood sideboards are crafted with attention to detail that includes dovetailed joints, wood on wood drawer glides and strong protective finishes. Consider oak, teak or walnut.

A cheaper alternative to solid wood, wood veneers are constructed of thin slices of real wood adhered to the sideboard surface to give it the appearance of real wood. Veneers can be laid over less costly and lighter materials to save production and shipping costs, or added to a very expensive piece to showcase a particularly beautiful grain pattern.

For the braver of heart, there's a wealth of contemporary materials to choose from such as polished chrome, stainless steel, clear, frosted and coloured glass and high-gloss lacquer in bold colours or monochrome black and white.

Your personal style is reflected in your interior choices and a contemporary home benefits from statement pieces. Quality materials and workmanship will always be evident in sideboards crafted as a result of high-end contemporary design. Sideboards are often available with matching contemporary living, dining or bedroom furniture such as dressers, coffee, lamp or dining tables or chests of drawers. So you can build on your furniture collection piece by piece. Think of interior shopping as an investment, in your home and in your future.