Ashley Canada Dining Storage, Servers, Sideboards & Buffets

The dining room does more work than it gets credit for. It handles weeknight dinners, holiday gatherings, and that random Tuesday where half the house ends up on the table at once. A sideboard, buffet, or dining server gives that room somewhere to put things without taking over a full wall or crowding the space.

What Type of Dining Storage Do You Need?

Sideboards sit low and run wide, fitting along almost any wall in a dining room or open-concept space. A buffet table follows a similar format and sits at a comparable height, but is more commonly associated with placing food directly off the top surface when you have guests over. If you need vertical storage, a hutch adds shelving or glass-front doors above the base, useful for dishes, glassware, or display items. Dining servers are more compact and narrower, suited for tighter spaces. Display cabinets add glass paneling for visible shelving alongside closed storage.

Before You Buy

Measure the wall before you commit. Sideboards and buffet tables typically run between 48 and 72 inches wide and sit between 30 and 36 inches tall. Factor door swing into the depth if applicable, and leave enough clearance so the piece does not crowd the room. In a smaller dining room, a narrower dining server or slim sideboard keeps things functional without eating into walking space.

Think about what you plan to store. Serving dishes, linens, and glassware fit well in a dining buffet with a mix of drawers and cabinet space. If you want to display items too, a hutch or dining room cabinet works better. Darker wood tones anchor a room, while lighter finishes keep a smaller dining space from feeling heavy. Farmhouse sideboards in painted or distressed wood suit casual dining rooms well, and a modern buffet table in a cleaner finish tends to suit contemporary spaces.

Frequently Asked Dining Storage Questions

What is a buffet table? A buffet table is a long, low piece of dining room storage furniture used to hold linens, serving dishes, and tableware. The flat top surface also functions as a serving station when hosting.

What is a dining server? A dining server is a compact storage piece designed for the dining room, typically narrower than a sideboard or buffet. It handles dishes, cutlery, and table essentials without taking up a lot of wall space.

What is the difference between a buffet and a sideboard? The terms are often used interchangeably because both are long, low storage pieces with similar dimensions. The main distinction is context: buffets are more associated with serving food, while sideboards lean toward everyday storage and display.

What is the difference between a sideboard and a hutch? A sideboard is a standalone low cabinet, while a hutch adds an upper shelving or enclosed unit on top of the base. The hutch gives you more vertical storage for dishes, glassware, or display pieces.

How tall is a buffet table? Most buffet tables fall between 30 and 36 inches in height, which keeps the surface at a comfortable serving height for most people. Taller options exist but that range is the standard.

How do I choose storage furniture that blends with my decor? Start by matching the finish to your existing dining table since those two pieces will be seen together most often. Hardware finish, leg shape, and door design carry more visual weight than most people expect.

What styles of sideboards and buffets does Ashley Canada carry? Ashley Canada carries dining servers, sideboards, and buffets in farmhouse, modern, and classic styles, with finishes ranging from light wood tones to deep espresso and dark stained finishes. Browse online or visit one of Ashley Canada's 39 store locations to compare pieces in person.