Published Date: May 04, 2025
Written by: Emma Cyrus, Senior Copy, Content & Editorial Writer
Reviewed by: Shahnaz Hashim, Senior Interior Designer at FCI London
Edited by: Zoona Sikander, Interior Design Writer & Social Media Content Creator
An experienced interior designer's perspective on choosing between understated elegance and contemporary shine for your luxury home storage solutions
After two decades of designing bespoke interiors for discerning clients across London and beyond, I've witnessed the endless deliberation over what might seem, to the uninitiated, a relatively minor detail: the finish of a sideboard. Believe me when I say that this decision is anything but minor. Styling white sideboards - that workhorse of dining rooms and living spaces - serves as both functional storage and style statement, and its finish can dramatically influence the character of a room.
As I often tell my clients during our initial consultations, the devil truly is in the details when creating a cohesive, sophisticated interior. The choice between a matte or white gloss sideboard isn't merely aesthetic - it's practical, atmospheric, and deeply personal.
Before we delve into the technical aspects, it's worth understanding the psychological impact of different finishes.
Matte surfaces absorb light, creating a sense of solidity and permanence that grounds a space.
By contrast, high gloss finishes reflect light, introducing movement and a certain dynamism to an interior.
This distinction becomes particularly significant when designing for properties where light is either abundant or scarce. In the grand, light-filled period properties of West London, both finishes can work beautifully - but for entirely different reasons and to entirely different effects.
Matte finishes have enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent years, though I'd argue they never truly went out of style among those with a discerning eye. They offer a depth and sophistication that's particularly suited to period properties and contemporary homes alike.
The absence of shine creates a forgiving surface that conceals fingerprints, dust, and minor imperfections - a practical consideration that shouldn't be overlooked, even in the most meticulously maintained homes. This quality makes matte sideboards particularly suitable for high-traffic areas or households with younger family members.
The textural quality of matte finishes allows them to complement rather than compete with other elements in your space. They provide an elegant backdrop against which more dramatic pieces - perhaps a striking art collection or statement lighting - can truly shine.
For all their virtues, matte finishes do have their limitations. In rooms with limited natural light, they can sometimes appear flat or even slightly dull without proper consideration of the overall lighting scheme. This can be mitigated through strategic lighting design, but it's a factor worth considering.
Certain matte finishes can also prove troublesome when it comes to stubborn stains or grease marks, particularly on lighter colourways. While advances in materials technology have improved cleanability significantly, some clients find that matte surfaces require more specific cleaning products and techniques than their high gloss counterparts.
The allure of white gloss sideboards is immediately apparent when you enter a room featuring one. Their reflective quality bounces light around the space, creating an impression of brightness and expanded dimensions. For properties where space or light is at a premium, this can be transformative.
A white sideboard high gloss can serve as both a practical storage solution and a light-enhancing element of your interior design strategy. This dual functionality makes them particularly valuable in spaces like narrow hallways or smaller dining areas where maximising the sense of space is paramount.
The sleek, contemporary aesthetic of white gloss large sideboards works exceptionally well in modern architectural contexts. Against a backdrop of clean lines and minimalist detailing, they continue the visual language of uncluttered, precise design.
White gloss sideboards with drawers offer additional practicality, allowing for the elegant concealment of items that would otherwise create visual clutter. This aligns perfectly with the contemporary design philosophy that emphasises clean surfaces and hidden storage.
It would be remiss not to address the maintenance aspects of high gloss finishes. They do indeed show fingerprints, dust, and smudges more readily than their matte counterparts. However, what's less commonly noted is that these marks are typically easier to clean from gloss surfaces - a quick wipe with a microfibre cloth is usually sufficient.
For clients concerned about this aspect, I often recommend white gloss sideboards with LED lights. Beyond their obvious decorative appeal, the strategic illumination can actually help disguise minor marks and fingerprints by drawing the eye to the play of light rather than to any imperfections on the surface.
Ready assembled white high gloss sideboards offer the additional advantage of immediate gratification and minimal disruption - a consideration that shouldn't be underestimated when making small changes to a well-established home.
When advising clients on this decision, I always emphasise the importance of considering the room as a whole. A white gloss sideboard LED illuminated piece creates a dramatically different effect in a period property with ornate cornicing compared to a warehouse conversion with exposed brick.
Similarly, the size of your space should influence your decision. In more generous rooms, a substantial white gloss large sideboard can create a striking focal point without overwhelming the space. For more modest areas, a white gloss sideboard small in scale provides the reflective benefits without dominating the room.
Natural light is perhaps the most crucial factor in this decision. North-facing rooms, which receive cooler, less direct sunlight, can benefit enormously from the light-reflecting properties of gloss finishes. South-facing spaces, already blessed with abundant warm light, might be better suited to the more restrained elegance of matte.
Artificial lighting schemes also play a significant role. Rooms with thoughtfully designed lighting that highlights architectural features and creates pools of interest might benefit from the more subtle presence of matte, while spaces relying on general illumination might be enhanced by the light-amplifying effects of gloss.
Consider your existing furniture and decorative elements.
Rooms featuring natural materials - exposed wood, stone, or textured fabrics - often pair beautifully with the understated sophistication of matte finishes. More contemporary spaces with chrome, glass, or polished surfaces may be better complemented by the coherent gleam of high gloss.
Be honest about your lifestyle and maintenance preferences.
For busy households, especially those with young children or pets, the forgiving nature of matte might outweigh the light-enhancing benefits of gloss. Conversely, for those who appreciate a pristine environment and don't mind a quick daily wipe-down, white gloss sideboards can maintain their impeccable appearance with minimal effort.
It's worth noting that this isn't necessarily an either/or decision. Some of the most successful interiors I've created have incorporated both finishes strategically. A white gloss sideboard with drawers might be paired with matte dining furniture, or a matte sideboard might be topped with gloss accessories to create a layered, considered effect.
White gloss sideboards with LED lights offer a particularly interesting middle ground. The illumination creates points of brightness and interest, while the cabinet itself provides the reflective benefits of gloss. This combination can be especially effective in rooms that transition from day to evening use, allowing for atmospheric adjustments at the touch of a button.
While this guide aims to provide comprehensive information on choosing between matte and white gloss sideboards, there's no substitute for personalised professional advice. An experienced design consultant can assess your specific space, consider your unique requirements, and guide you toward the perfect solution.
When investing in quality furniture for your home, the guidance of design professionals ensures that every element works harmoniously, creating an interior that's not just beautiful but perfectly tailored to your lifestyle and aesthetic sensibilities.
Whether you ultimately select the subtle sophistication of matte or the contemporary brilliance of gloss white, what matters most is that your choice enhances both the beauty and functionality of your space, creating an environment that truly feels like home.
After considering all these factors, you might still find yourself torn between options. In such cases, I advise my clients to consider these final questions:
Remember that while trends come and go - we've seen both matte and gloss finishes cycle in and out of broader fashion - true quality and thoughtful design remain timeless. A well-crafted sideboard in either finish, selected with careful consideration of your specific context, will continue to serve beautifully for years to come.
FCI London has more than 40 years in the luxury furniture and interior design industry, and we pride ourselves on being a trusted name creator of luxury interiors in London, both large and small.
Our longstanding relationships with the best craftsmen and designer brands from all over Europe are at your disposal, and we offer first-class delivery and installation of any product you purchase through us, ensuring that your experience is stress free and convenient.
Visit our 30,000 sq. ft.showroom, the largest luxury showroom in London, to discover, explore and experience a wide range of luxury sideboards, along with professional advice from a team of experienced and award-winning interior designers.
Utilise our complementary services like 3D Rendering, project planning, and enjoy our signature personalised service. We aim to make your design journey as seamless as possible, saving you time and effort wherever possible.
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