This timeless material has been the type of wood used for furniture across the United Kingdom for centuries. From medieval England to the Victorian era, oak has had its place firmly cemented. While larger furniture items such as dinner tables or coffee tables are generally constructed from sturdy oak, luxury sideboards are now too made from this natural material.
We have evaluated the material, specifically focusing on how timeless and versatile it is. Don’t be overwhelmed by your next wooden sideboard purchase as we explore insights into styles, colour, texture and some professional advice from interior designers on oak sideboards.
There is no hard and fast rule when it pertains to luxury furniture, however, you can distinguish quality and sophistication from budget and quickly put-together pieces. Sideboards are known for exuding style and grace, often adding that one missing element the room requires to feel complete. Here are some reasons why interior designers recommend you purchase a brand-new sideboard:
It is common to refer to oak furniture as heirloom pieces as they tend to be durable enough for you to pass from generation to generation. We would not be surprised if you already own a luxury piece of oak furniture, making it even more ideal to shop for a sideboard constructed from the same material. The reason for the wood’s longevity is its fine natural grain and timeless charm. Oak wood has a classic status that makes it versatile for a number of applications. It easily pairs with other luxury items such as art and ornaments, complementing a range of hues including brown.
Sideboards are fantastic storage solutions since they are functional and sophisticated. Our senior designer, Cristina Chirima, says that custom-made sideboards in Oak are her preferred pieces for entrances and hallways. However, she further advised that looking beyond the norm and opting to add a sideboard to any other room, opens you up for more storage solutions.
For example, a modern white and oak sideboard for your bedroom can display jewellery and flowers from your garden. While the drawers store your favourite accessories and perfumes.
We are firm believers in function and luxury and believe they cannot be mutually exclusive. For one, when placed in the hallway, a sideboard serves as a place to leave your keys, hat or umbrella. In the living room, it is used as a media console, allowing you to place a television on top of it along with other media devices.
In the dining room, it is used for serving food. These are but three examples of how functional this piece of furniture is. Additionally, in each of these instances, the sideboard should be a custom-made work of art that complements your high-end home.
According to real estate experts, incorporating wooden pieces across your home can significantly increase its value. If you were to decide to sell your home, prospective buyers would immediately be drawn in by the elegant furniture, including your wooden sideboards.
It further presents a view that well-thought-out and bespoke furniture, including function and durability, can enhance any home. And even if you do not plan on selling the house, durable and well constructed solid oak sideboards will themselves increase in value too, making it a worthwhile investment.
We can spend hours discussing styles and designs, but we always form the same conclusion, it is personal preference that makes all the difference.
Conversely, we do understand how overwhelming it is to sit and think about the type of furniture you will purchase. Our interior design team have styled breathtaking homes, including conceptualisation of the furniture. For some expert advice on your next sideboard, here are some styles our design team recommend:
Elegant homes across Britain feature timeless pieces and designs that speak to heritage, culture and sophistication. Traditional sideboards include accents such as brass fittings and are intricately designed. They are the perfect addition to any classic or traditional home.
If you have already established a classic home, it is perfectly acceptable to include some contemporary elements that provide a slightly modern touch. Modern craftsmanship considers minimalist designs which is exactly what you hope to achieve with contemporary light oak sideboards. Additionally, clean lines and patterns, as well as smart storage solutions are why we would choose a modern design.
The epitome of luxury is something crafted by hand. The human touch cannot be replicated by machines, which further cements hand-crafted furniture as the peak of opulence. Personalisation goes together with handcrafted and means that your wooden sideboard will be a truly unique feature.
Now that you have a better understanding of the different styles, we can also explore what furniture works best with oak sideboards.
It is crucial to explore pairings before you have anything made or purchased.
It gives you a better understanding and often helps with even more creative ideas.
Comparing different colours one quickly realises your favourite hue does not work with every element. Luckily, this wood is versatile enough allowing you to incorporate bold shades, soft pastels and brilliant bolds. Additionally, the wood complements well with most decor leaving you with little to no question marks.
As much as it is considered a faux pas, interior designers do recommend matching oak with other wood types. Not only does this add depth but it does make things a little interesting. Do ensure your wood matches in grain and tone and you will be set.
You do not have to follow the conventional route of pairing furniture; you can use your sideboard as an accessory that accompanies the other items.
Our interior designers have further explored some of the best rooms to place your sideboard.
There is a general assumption that sideboards should only exist in hallways and entrance halls, however, this is simply false.
With clever and creative styling, sideboards can exist in nearly every space. If we were styling your home, we would consider:
Not only is this personal space the one room where you can reflect your style without boundaries, but it simultaneously acts as a statement piece.
The most common choice since it acts as a server too. Our design team does recommend using it as a display cabinet from time to time to avoid it becoming just another sideboard.
If your home is traditional then placing your sideboard in the hallway is the perfect idea. For modern hallways, white oak sideboards are an excellent choice. However, we recommend using it as a decorative item instead of a functional one. Place fresh flowers from your garden every week, preferably anything green, brown or earthy.
One of the more important considerations is the size of your room in comparison to the dimensions of your sideboard.
Walking around with your measuring tape noting the dimensions and specifications is the first place to start.
Then consider the following:
Sideboards do not only have to exist in hallways or entrance halls. It can feature in any space. First, decide on the room or location for a better understanding of whether the oak sideboard will be custom-made or purchased as is.
Is it simply for display or will it be functional and store some of your favourite items? This also dictates the overall design you choose.
You know the room and what the sideboard will be used for, now find the exact placement and measure the space. The specifications here will determine the dimensions of the piece.
Deciding on the length and breadth reiterates the importance of deciding on the function first. Broader pieces work best for serving food, while narrower sideboards are great for flower or artwork displays.
Elegant furniture almost always boasts renowned craftsmanship that comes with lifelong guarantees and warranties.
This indicates that the manufacturer has taken all steps to ensure they produce a high-quality product - be it made by hand or machine.
Here are two tips to consider before stepping onto the showroom floor:
We have explored several reasons why luxury oak sideboards are the preferred choice for luxury homes, including the best rooms for the furniture, why quality matters and how you can pair it with other furniture. This might be overwhelming to work through at first, but here at FCI London, our team of award-winning designers are equipped with the right expertise to get you started.
FCI London has over 35 years of experience and has experimented with different shapes, styles, colours and textures, so you do not have to. If you are like us and prefer bespoke designs, you have come to the right place. Speak to one of our consultants online or visit us on our showroom floor.
Our 30,000 sq ft London showroom is home to a number of luxury sideboards from leading international brands and designers including Cattelan Italia and Laskasas. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, we offer several customisation options so you can have a bespoke sideboard that’s designed exactly for your space.
From getting your proportions right to nailing your style, our design team is at your disposal to help you find the perfect sideboards. Take advantage of our free consultation service by visiting our award-winning showroom today.
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