Baroque sideboards: sideboards and buffets in the baroque style
A baroque sideboard combines storage with a sense of grandeur. It holds tableware, table linen or electronics and at the same time provides a stage for lamps, vases and art. In the dining room it serves as a buffet, in the living room as a statement piece against the wall, and in a hotel as an elegant reception desk or service unit.
Barockgrosshandel stocks around 300 sideboards from the Casa Padrino brand for retailers, hotels, interior designers and private customers. The range extends from a compact 120 cm wide buffet to an ornate 280 cm long sideboard with mirror. Here you will learn how to recognise a good baroque style sideboard and how to plan for it properly.
Characteristics of a baroque style sideboard
Baroque sideboards thrive on curves and ornament. The front is often bombé or serpentine, and the legs are shaped as cabriole legs or designed as sturdy feet. Carvings of acanthus, shells and scrolls adorn the doors, apron and sides. Gilded mouldings and fittings add accents.
The contrast between base colour and gold is typical. White with gold looks bright and festive, black with gold powerful and elegant. Brown with gold emphasises the wood grain and suits classic dining rooms well. There are also shades such as cream, dark grey, green or pink that give the piece a personal touch.
The symmetry is strict: doors, drawers and ornaments are arranged as mirror images. This makes sideboards calm anchor points against a wall and the ideal base for a symmetrical display.
Materials and craftsmanship
High-quality baroque sideboards are made of solid wood. It is stable, can be finely carved and keeps its shape for decades. The surfaces are lacquered, stained or finished with gold leaf and silver leaf. Many pieces are handmade, which shows in the depth of the carving and the fine transitions.
Marble tops give the surface an elegant, cool note and are resistant to heat. Marquetry in different woods forms patterns on doors and sides. A special technique is inlay work with brass on a coloured ground, which makes sideboards in black, red and gold look particularly magnificent.
For modern rooms there are neo-baroque models. They adopt the curved form but feature high-gloss lacquer in black or white. You can read more about this style on our page on modern baroque furniture.
Designs: buffet, sideboard with mirror and TV sideboard
The classic buffet has two to four doors, often with drawers above. Models with three or four doors offer plenty of storage for tableware, glasses and table linen. Smaller single-door sideboards fit into hallways and alcoves. If you need drawers above all, you will find alternatives among our baroque chests of drawers.
Sets of sideboard and wall mirror are very popular. The mirror is hung above the sideboard and matched to it in shape and colour. This creates a cohesive wall arrangement that makes the room look brighter and larger. Some models even have three mirrors or a top section with a back panel.
TV sideboards are slightly lower and deeper. They hold the television and electronics and hide cables behind closed doors. With dimensions such as 220 x 53 x 53 cm, they offer space for large screens while still fitting into a baroque interior.
Planning: dimensions, position and effect
Measure the wall where the sideboard is to stand. Leave some space on the left and right so that the piece does not look squeezed in. As a guide, the sideboard should take up about two thirds of the width of the wall. For models with a mirror, also take the overall height into account.
In the dining room, leave enough space between the edge of the table and the sideboard so that chairs can be pushed back and doors opened. Around 90 to 100 cm has proved its worth. Our page on the baroque dining room shows further furnishing ideas.
With large pieces, check the delivery route. Door widths, stairs and lifts should be checked before ordering, as solid wood sideboards are heavy and long.
Decorating and combining sideboards
A baroque style sideboard is a stage. Two identical table lamps on the left and right frame the surface symmetrically. A vase, a clock or a sculpture stands in the centre. A mirror or painting hangs above. Suitable lamps can be found among our baroque table lamps.
Coordinate the colours. A white sideboard with gold suits light walls and gold frames. A black model looks particularly elegant against dark wallpaper. In this way the piece blends harmoniously into your baroque furniture.
The interior fittings matter too. Shelves can be used for plates, decanters or files. Everyday items disappear behind closed doors, while the top stays free for decoration. If you want to display tableware, combine the sideboard with a display cabinet in the same colour. This creates a calm, orderly furniture group along one wall.
Baroque sideboards for hotels, restaurants and commercial interiors
In hotels, sideboards perform many roles. In the lobby they hold flowers and information material. In suites they house the minibar or television. In restaurants they serve as a service station for cutlery, glasses and napkins, easy to reach yet elegant.
For commercial projects, a consistent series is recommended. Sets of sideboard and mirror create the same look across many rooms. Barockgrosshandel is happy to put together several pieces of the same design for interior designers and operators. Our page on baroque hotel furniture shows further furniture for hospitality venues.
In commercial settings, hard-wearing surfaces are important. Lacquered fronts and marble tops stand up well to daily use. Also allow sufficient distance from radiators, as solid wood reacts to strong heat and dry air.
Price range, selection and care
Prices for baroque sideboards range from around €1,000 for a compact buffet to more than €20,000 for handmade solid wood sideboards with a mirror. Sets of sideboard and mirror often cost between about €4,000 and €19,000. The baroque sideboards category offers an overview, and you will find particularly elaborate pieces under luxury baroque sideboards.
A soft, dry cloth is all that is needed for care. Gilded surfaces do not tolerate harsh cleaners or wet cloths. Wipe marble tops with a damp cloth and dry them afterwards. Place glasses and vases on coasters to avoid rings.
Matching pieces from our range
View all items in Baroque Sideboards
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a sideboard, a buffet and a chest of drawers?
A sideboard is usually long and low and has mainly doors. A buffet is a sideboard in the dining room on which food is set out and served. A chest of drawers is often narrower and has mostly drawers.
How wide should a baroque sideboard be?
As a guide, the sideboard should take up about two thirds of the width of the wall. In the range, widths run from around 120 cm to 280 cm. Measure doors and stairs for delivery beforehand as well.
Does a white baroque style sideboard suit modern rooms?
Yes, a white sideboard with gold looks bright and light. In clean-lined, modern rooms it adds an elegant accent. Neo-baroque models in high gloss also bridge both worlds.
Is a set of sideboard and mirror worthwhile?
A set is perfectly matched in shape and colour. It creates a cohesive wall arrangement and makes the room look brighter. This is particularly popular in dining rooms, hallways and hotel rooms.
Can I use a baroque sideboard as a TV unit?
Yes, there are dedicated TV sideboards for this. They are slightly deeper and offer space for electronics behind closed doors. That way the baroque character of the room is preserved.
How do I care for gold leaf and marble?
Clean gold leaf only dry with a soft cloth. Wipe marble with a slightly damp cloth and dry it afterwards. Acidic cleaners and liquids should not be left standing on the marble.
Do you also supply hotels and retailers?
Yes. Barockgrosshandel supplies hotels, restaurants, interior designers and retailers as well as private customers. For projects with several identical pieces, we are happy to coordinate the selection with you.