Sideboard vs Console Table: Key Differences Explained
By hollis+morris | Published: 2026-10-18
Category: Comparisons
Understand the main differences between a sideboard and a console table to choose the right piece for your dining room, entryway, or living space.
Quick answer
A sideboard is taller and deeper, built for concealed storage in a dining room, while a console table is narrower and lower, designed for display in an entryway or living room.
Storage vs display: the core difference
The biggest distinction between a sideboard and a console table is how you use the space. A sideboard typically has cabinets or drawers inside a deeper body, making it ideal for stashing dinnerware, linens, or barware out of sight. A console table is shallower and often open, meant for a lamp, a tray, or decorative objects that stay visible.
Height and proportions matter
Sideboards usually stand around 34–36 inches tall, similar to a dining table, so you can easily reach items on top while seated. Console tables are often 30–32 inches high, which works better behind a sofa or in a hallway where you don't need a serving surface. The shallower depth of a console table also helps it fit in tighter spaces without blocking traffic.
Style and placement clues
Both pieces can look similar from a distance, but the details give them away. A sideboard with sliding doors and a solid back suggests dining storage. A low-profile table with prominent metal legs and open shelving signals a console. If you see a piece with a powder-coated aluminum door and a choice of angular metal grate or rounded wood feet, it's likely a sideboard. A console often uses cold rolled steel and a single floating surface.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Sideboard: Deeper body with sliding or hinged doors for concealed storage. Best for dining rooms where you need to hide serving pieces and linens.
- Console table: Shallower, lower profile with open surfaces. Best for entryways, behind sofas, or hallways where you want display space without bulk.
- Style crossover: A sideboard can work as a console in a large entry if you need storage, but its depth may crowd a narrow hallway. A console table rarely works as a sideboard because it lacks enclosed storage. Measure your space and storage needs before deciding.
Two pieces that show the difference
- Fairbanks Sideboard Large: Sliding doors in powder-coated aluminum and two base options — an angular metal grate or a set of rounded wood feet. The enclosed sliding doors give you hidden storage for dining essentials, while the base choices let you match the look to your room.
Fairbanks Sideboard Large - Parkdale Console: Two floating surfaces create storage and void space, with prominent steel components replacing wood connections. The open, floating design is meant for display and light holding — not for hiding away bulky items — making it a true console table.
Parkdale Console
Which one fits you?
Best for
- Dining room owners who need hidden storage for dishes and barware
- Anyone with a wide wall (60 inches or more) who wants a statement storage piece
Not for
- Narrow entryways or hallways where every inch of depth matters
- Rooms where you primarily want to display decor rather than hide items
