Sideboard vs Buffet vs Credenza: Dubai Guide 2026
Sideboards, Buffet Tables and Credenzas in Dubai: The Complete Buying Guide
By The WS Living Team · Updated September 2026 · 7 min read
Short answer: a sideboard, a buffet table and a credenza are all long, low storage cabinets that sit against a wall. The differences are small. A sideboard is the everyday all-rounder, usually low to the floor with cabinets and drawers. A buffet is almost the same piece with longer legs and a focus on serving food. A credenza sits lower and longer, often with short legs and sometimes glass doors. A kitchen sideboard is simply a sideboard placed near the kitchen or dining area for extra worktop and storage. In most UAE showrooms these names are used interchangeably, so choose by size, storage and finish rather than the label on the tag.
In this guide
- Sideboard vs buffet vs credenza: the real difference
- What is a kitchen sideboard?
- Choosing the right size for a Dubai home
- Which materials last in the UAE climate
- How to style a sideboard
- Buffet tables for entertaining and majlis dining
- Where to buy in Dubai
- FAQ
What is the difference between a sideboard, a buffet and a credenza?
All three grew out of the dining room, where a low cabinet held linens and dishes and gave you a surface to serve from. The vocabulary never fully standardised, which is why retailers list the same piece under different names. The sideboard is the broadest term. Here is how the family compares.
| Piece | Typical height | Legs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sideboard | 80 to 95 cm | Short or none, sits low | Everyday storage in dining, living or hallway |
| Buffet | 85 to 95 cm | Longer legs, raised | Serving food at dinners and gatherings |
| Credenza | 55 to 90 cm | Short or none, long and low | Sleek storage in living rooms and offices, often with glass doors |
| Kitchen sideboard | 80 to 95 cm | Short or none | Extra worktop and storage beside an open kitchen |
If you remember one thing: buffets stand a little taller on legs and lean toward serving, credenzas run long and low, and the sideboard does a bit of everything. For most UAE homes the sideboard is the safest pick.
What is a kitchen sideboard and where should it go?
A kitchen sideboard is a standard sideboard placed to serve the kitchen or the open-plan dining zone that so many Dubai apartments and villas are built around. It gives you a landing spot for serving dishes, a home for crockery and small appliances, and a clean surface for a coffee station or an iftar spread during Ramadan. Because kitchens run humid and warm, a solid wood or sealed timber piece holds up better here than thin laminate. Place it along the wall that links the cooking and dining areas, leave at least 90 cm of clear walkway in front, and keep the top close to counter height so it reads as part of the kitchen.
A solid wood cabinet that moves easily between kitchen, dining area and living room, with deep storage behind clean doors.
How do I choose the right sideboard size for a Dubai home?
Size is where most buyers slip up. Measure the wall first, then work to these rules of thumb:
- Leave breathing room. The sideboard should be shorter than the wall it sits on, with roughly 15 to 20 cm of clear wall on each side.
- Match a dining table. Aim for a sideboard about two thirds the length of your dining table so the two pieces feel related.
- Mind the depth. Most sideboards are 40 to 50 cm deep. In a compact apartment, stay near 40 cm so the walkway stays comfortable.
- Check the doorway. Villa lifts and apartment corridors in the UAE vary a lot. Confirm the packed dimensions before you order a longer piece.
A large villa dining room can carry a piece of 1.8 metres or more, while a one or two bedroom apartment usually looks best with something between 1.2 and 1.5 metres.
Which sideboard materials last best in the UAE climate?
The Gulf climate is hard on furniture. Homes swing between heavy air conditioning and outdoor humidity, and cheap engineered boards can swell or peel at the edges within a couple of years. This is why material matters more here than in a milder climate.
- Solid wood, such as oak. The most durable choice. It handles indoor humidity well, can be refinished, and ages with character. WS Living builds much of its range in solid wood for exactly this reason.
- Solid wood with a stone top. A marble or travertine top adds a hard-wearing serving surface that shrugs off heat and spills.
- Rattan and cane accents. Lovely for a lighter, modern look, best kept out of direct sun so the weave stays tight.
- Veneer over solid frames. Acceptable when the core is quality timber. Avoid thin laminate over particle board for anything you want to keep.
Warm natural timber and refined Italian lines, a strong entry point into a sideboard built to last.
A natural oak body under a hand-finished travertine top, a hard-wearing serving surface with real presence.
How do you style a sideboard?
A styled sideboard can anchor a whole room. Keep it simple with these five moves:
- Work in thirds. Group objects into three zones rather than spreading them evenly across the top.
- Add height. Lean a piece of wall art or a mirror above it, then place a tall lamp or vase to one side.
- Vary texture. Mix timber, ceramic, glass and a live plant so the surface does not look flat.
- Leave space. Keep at least a third of the top clear. Negative space is what makes a display look intentional.
- Light it. A warm table lamp turns the piece into a soft light source for the evening.
For a more architectural look, a fluted-front design like the Nawar fluted sideboard or a tapered mid-century piece like the Marston sideboard carries detail on its own, so you can style the top very lightly.
Buffet tables for entertaining and majlis dining
If you host often, a buffet earns its place. The longer legs raise the serving surface to a comfortable standing height, and the cabinets below keep serveware and table linens close to where you plate up. For family gatherings, Eid lunches and majlis-style entertaining, a buffet lets guests help themselves while the dining table stays clear. Choose a length that still leaves room to walk around it when the table is fully set.
Vintage-inspired detailing with deep cabinets, built for serving and storing in dining rooms and hallways.
Pair your buffet with a matching dining table for a coordinated dining room, or browse the full sideboards collection to compare finishes.
Where to buy sideboards and buffet tables in Dubai
WS Living is a modern home furniture store in Dubai with a showroom in Al Quoz, where you can see and touch the solid wood pieces before you buy. Our sideboards and buffets are made with solid wood and natural materials, finished for UAE living, and delivered free across the Emirates. If you are choosing between finishes or unsure about size, visit the showroom or message the team and we will help you match a piece to your room.
Find your sideboard
Browse solid wood sideboards, buffets and credenzas, built for UAE homes and delivered to your door.
Shop Sideboards →Free UAE delivery · Solid wood · Showroom in Al Quoz, Dubai
Frequently asked questions
Is a buffet the same as a sideboard?
Almost. They share the same job of storing dining items and offering a serving surface. The usual difference is the legs: a buffet tends to stand on longer legs, while a sideboard sits lower to the floor. Many retailers use the two words for the same piece.
What is the difference between a credenza and a sideboard?
A credenza is usually longer and lower than a sideboard, with short legs or none, and it sometimes has glass display doors. It started as an office and dining piece and now suits living rooms too. A sideboard is a little taller and more of an all-rounder.
What is the standard height of a sideboard?
Most sideboards stand between 80 and 95 cm tall, which is close to counter height and comfortable for serving. Credenzas often sit lower, from about 55 cm upward.
How long should a sideboard be compared to the dining table?
A good guide is about two thirds the length of your dining table. This keeps the two pieces visually balanced without the sideboard overpowering the room.
Are solid wood sideboards better for the UAE climate?
Yes. Solid wood copes with the swing between air conditioning and outdoor humidity far better than thin laminate over particle board, and it can be refinished if it is marked over the years.
Can a sideboard be used in a kitchen?
Yes. Used as a kitchen sideboard it adds worktop space and storage next to an open-plan kitchen or dining area. Choose a sealed solid wood or stone-topped piece so it handles heat and spills.
