What is a dining room server used for?

A dining room server (also called a sideboard or buffet) is a low storage piece used in the dining room for serving food, storing linens and tableware, and displaying decorative items. The flat top provides serving space during meals. Inside, drawers and cabinets store silverware, placemats, candles, and anything else used for dining.

What is the difference between a server and a sideboard?

The terms are used interchangeably in most furniture retail contexts. Traditionally, a server was smaller and specifically designed for serving food, while a sideboard was larger and included more storage. Today both terms describe low dining room storage pieces with a flat top.

How tall should a dining room server be?

Most dining room servers are 34 to 38 inches tall -- roughly counter height. This is comfortable for serving from and displaying items. A server should be shorter than the dining table's seated sightline so it doesn't visually crowd the table from a seated position.

Servers | Quality Home Furniture

A server (also called a dining room server or serving console) is a lower, narrower piece than a full sideboard -- typically 30 to 42 inches wide and 34 to 36 inches tall, with drawers and a small cabinet below a flat serving surface. It's the right piece when a full sideboard would be too wide for the space, or when you need a piece specifically for dining room service rather than general storage.

We carry servers in styles from traditional to contemporary, in finishes that coordinate with our dining sets. Most include one or two drawers for flatware and linens, plus a lower cabinet for serving equipment.

Servers also work as narrow accent pieces in living rooms, hallways, and entryways -- the lower profile and serving-surface height (typically 34 to 36 inches) works well as a landing surface or display base for lamps and artwork.

Quality Home Furniture has sold quality furniture in Texas since 1975. Our Mesquite showroom is at 227 US HWY 80 E -- open Monday through Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 1pm to 6pm. Call us at (972) 288-9322.

Dining Room Furniture: How to Choose a Table, Chairs, and the Right Setup -- how servers and sideboards fit into the complete dining room layout.

Read our guide to choosing between a buffet, sideboard, hutch, and china cabinet -- the differences, sizing rules, and which one belongs in your space.