Sideboard & Credenza Length Guide: Standard Sizes and How to Choose
A sideboard or credenza should be sized to the wall and the table it serves, not just the space that happens to be free. This guide covers the standard length, depth and height ranges, what a skinny credenza is for, and how long a sideboard should be beside a dining table, with links to the solid wood credenzas and sideboards at Sideboards and Things.
Standard sideboard dimensions
Most sideboards are 60 to 80 inches long, 16 to 20 inches deep and 30 to 36 inches high. Of the sideboards and credenzas on this site, the majority fall between 60 and 84 inches long, with narrow pieces under 60 inches and long statement pieces from 90 to 110 inches at either end.
| Length | Best for | Pairs with |
|---|---|---|
| Under 60 in. | Hallways, entries, small dining rooms, apartments | A 48 in. round or a table for 4 |
| 60 to 72 in. | The standard dining sideboard | A 60 to 72 in. table for 6 |
| 72 to 84 in. | Larger dining rooms, media walls | An 84 to 96 in. table for 8 |
| 84 in. and longer | Long walls, great rooms, open plans | A 108 in. table for 10 to 12, or a wall of its own |
How long should a sideboard be next to a dining table?
Keep the sideboard shorter than, or equal to, the length of the table it sits beside, and leave at least 36 inches between the sideboard front and the backs of the dining chairs so people can pass while others are seated; 42 inches is comfortable. On a wall of its own, a sideboard looks balanced when it fills roughly two-thirds of the wall, with 8 to 12 inches of breathing room to any doorway or window trim. Size the table first with the dining table size guide, then pick the sideboard.
What is a skinny credenza?
A skinny or narrow credenza is a piece 12 to 16 inches deep, versus the usual 18 to 20. It fits a hallway, a landing or the wall behind a sofa, holds table linens and barware, and works as a media console when the television is wall-mounted. Depth is the number to check before length: a 70 inch credenza at 14 inches deep can go where a 60 inch sideboard at 20 inches cannot.
Credenza vs sideboard vs buffet
The three words describe the same family of long, low storage. A buffet is the dining-room piece, often taller, built for serving; a sideboard is the general term; a credenza is the lower, leggier version that came from office and mid-century use and now sits in living rooms and hallways as often as dining rooms. Choose by dimensions and storage, not by label: doors for concealed storage, drawers for cutlery and linens, open shelves for display.
Height: 30 to 36 inches
A sideboard at 30 to 32 inches sits level with the dining table and reads as a serving surface; 34 to 36 inches puts serving dishes at counter height and gives a taller piece more presence on a big wall. In an entry, keep the top at 30 to 34 inches so keys and mail are within easy reach.
Solid wood sideboards at Sideboards and Things
The credenzas and sideboards here are built from mango, oak, reclaimed pine, walnut and acacia, with metal, cane and marble details, from makers including Sarreid, Mercana, Furniture Classics and LOOMLAN. Filter the credenzas and sideboards collection by width and material, look at buffets and curio cabinets for taller display storage, or console tables when you need something shallower than 14 inches.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard length of a sideboard?
60 to 80 inches. Narrow pieces run 40 to 58 inches; long pieces run 84 to 110 inches.
How deep is a sideboard?
Usually 16 to 20 inches. A skinny credenza is 12 to 16 inches deep.
How tall should a sideboard be?
30 to 36 inches. Match the table height (about 30 inches) for serving, or go taller for presence on a large wall.
Can a sideboard be longer than the dining table?
It is better not to. Keep it the same length or shorter, and leave 36 inches of walkway between the sideboard and the chairs.