Buffets & Sideboards in Dubai: How to Choose the Right One
Short answer: A sideboard and a buffet are the same basic piece, a long and low storage cabinet, and Dubai retailers use the two names interchangeably. Choose one by matching its length to your wall or dining table, its depth to the walkway in front of it, and its mix of doors and drawers to what you store. Then pick solid wood, which copes with air-conditioned rooms and humid summers better than MDF or veneer.
- Dining room: a 3- or 4-door sideboard about two-thirds the length of the wall.
- Apartment or entryway: a 2-door piece around 90–110 cm long.
- Living room: a long, low sideboard can double as a TV unit.
What is the difference between a sideboard, a buffet and a credenza?
Today there is little practical difference. All three are long, low cabinets for storage and display. Traditionally, a buffet is the dining-room version used as a serving surface, often on taller legs. A credenza is lower and sleeker and often works as a media unit. A hutch adds a display cabinet on top.
| Piece | Typical height | Typical depth | Storage | Best room |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sideboard | 75–95 cm | 40–50 cm | Doors and drawers | Dining or living room |
| Buffet | 80–100 cm | 40–50 cm | Doors and drawers, serving top | Dining room |
| Credenza | 60–75 cm | 40–50 cm | Doors, often sliding | Living room, study |
| Hutch or display unit | 160 cm and over | 40–50 cm | Cabinet base with shelves or glass above | Dining room, majlis |
| Console table | 75–80 cm | 25–40 cm | Little or none | Entryway, hallway |
If you want to display glassware rather than hide it, look at display units and storage cabinets. For a narrow hallway, a console table needs far less depth.
What size sideboard do you need for a dining room?
A dining-room sideboard should be about two-thirds the length of the wall it stands against, and roughly the same length as your dining table or a little shorter. Leave at least 90 cm between the sideboard and the table edge so chairs can be pulled out and people can pass behind them.
Height matters too. A sideboard slightly taller than a standard 75 cm dining table makes a comfortable serving surface. Most Opel Home sideboards are 40–46 cm deep and 80–100 cm high, so check the height against any mirror or artwork you plan to hang above it.
Before ordering, measure the service lift, corridor corners and doorways. A 180 cm cabinet needs a clear route to the room.
How many doors and drawers should a sideboard have?
Match the number of doors to your wall length, and the number of drawers to how much cutlery and table linen you keep. Doors hide bulky serving dishes and glassware; drawers keep cutlery, napkins and placemats organised.
| Doors | Typical length in the Opel Home range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 2 doors | About 100 cm | Apartments, entryways, small dining areas |
| 3 doors | About 150 cm | Most dining rooms |
| 4 doors | About 180 cm | Villas, majlis and large dining rooms |
Many designs combine the two, for example 3 doors with 3 drawers. That layout suits a family that uses the sideboard every day, not only when hosting.
Which wood is best for a sideboard in the UAE: mango, acacia or rosewood?
All three are durable hardwoods that suit UAE homes, so the choice is mostly about appearance. Mango wood has a warm, light-to-mid tone and takes carving and rattan detailing well. Acacia is harder, with a bold, contrasting grain. Rosewood is dense, with a rich, dark grain that suits honey and walnut finishes.
What matters more than the species is that the cabinet is solid wood throughout. When air-conditioned rooms meet humid summer air, MDF can swell at the edges and veneer can lift, pulling doors out of line. Opel Home sideboards are built from 100% solid wood, mostly mango plus acacia and rosewood, handcrafted in India and never MDF or veneer. A few designs add an iron frame or brass details. For a closer comparison, read mango wood vs acacia vs teak for Dubai homes.
Should you choose solid doors, rattan doors or carved fronts?
Choose solid doors to hide clutter and keep dust out, rattan doors for texture and airflow, and carved or hand-painted fronts when the sideboard is the focal point of the room.
- Solid wooden doors give the best dust protection for glassware and crockery.
- Rattan doors let air circulate, which keeps table linen fresh in humid weather, but let in some fine dust.
- Carved and hand-painted fronts suit dining rooms and majlis settings, where the piece is seen from across the room.
Finish changes the feel as much as the doors. Natural wood hides everyday marks best, white brightens a small dining area, and black or walnut suits modern rooms but shows dust sooner. The Opel Home range includes natural, white, black, honey, walnut and grey finishes.
Where should a sideboard go: dining room, living room or entryway?
Put it wherever you need closed storage and a surface: beside the dining table as a buffet, under a wall-mounted TV as a media unit, or by the front door as a place for keys and bags.
Under a TV, choose a sideboard wider than the screen and about 40–45 cm deep, and plan a route for cables at the back. If viewing height is the priority, the TV unit collection has lower designs. In an entryway, a 2-door piece keeps the walkway clear. Once it is in place, our guide on how to style a sideboard covers lamps, mirrors and décor for each room.
Where can you buy a solid wood sideboard in Dubai?
You can order one online from Opel Home. The buffets and sideboards collection covers 2-, 3- and 4-door designs in solid mango, acacia and rosewood. Delivery is free across the UAE with no minimum order value, takes 3–4 working days to most UAE locations, and assembly is free. The delivery page has the details.
Sideboards mentioned in this guide
Bold sideboard, 2 doors
Solid acacia wood, natural finish. 90 × 45 × 90 cm (L × D × H).
Berry sideboard, 3 doors and 3 drawers
Solid mango wood, choice of finishes. 150 × 41 × 102 cm (L × D × H).
Erlene sideboard, 3 doors
Solid rosewood, honey finish. 145 × 46 × 90 cm (L × D × H).
Cloud rattan sideboard, 4 doors
Solid mango wood with rattan doors. 180 × 40 × 90 cm (L × D × H).
Pay by cash on delivery, or split the cost with Tabby or Tamara instalments at checkout. Orders ship from Opel Home's own UAE warehouse. If you are furnishing the whole room, pair the sideboard with a table from the dining table collection.
Change-of-mind returns are accepted within 72 hours of delivery if the item is unused and undamaged, and the customer pays the return delivery charge. If a piece arrives damaged or defective, Opel Home covers the return or replacement transport. A 12-month warranty covers manufacturing and workmanship defects in the wood and construction. It does not cover fabric, cushions, padding or other upholstery, normal colour change, or wear from regular use. Full terms are on the returns and refunds page.
Frequently asked questions
Is a buffet the same as a sideboard?
Almost. Both are long, low storage cabinets, and most UAE retailers use the names interchangeably. Traditionally a buffet is the dining-room version, used as a serving surface and often raised on taller legs, while "sideboard" describes the same piece in any room.
How high should a sideboard be next to a dining table?
Aim for 80–100 cm, slightly above a standard 75 cm dining table, so the top works as a serving surface. Most Opel Home sideboards fall in that range and are 40–46 cm deep.
Can a sideboard be used as a TV unit?
Yes. Choose one wider than the TV, about 40–45 cm deep and sturdy enough for the screen's weight; solid wood is ideal. Plan cable access at the back, and check that the top sits at a comfortable viewing height from your sofa.
Can I return a sideboard if it does not suit my room?
Yes, within 72 hours of delivery if it is unused and undamaged. For a change of mind the customer pays the return delivery charge; if the sideboard arrives damaged or defective, Opel Home covers the transport. Measuring the wall, walkway and lift before ordering avoids most returns.
Do you deliver sideboards across the UAE?
Yes. Opel Home delivers free across the UAE with no minimum order value, and assembly is free. Delivery takes 3–4 working days to most UAE locations, and you can pay by cash on delivery or with Tabby or Tamara instalments.
About the author
Written by the Opel Home furniture team. Opel Home, the trading name of Opel Home Furniture L.L.C-FZ, has supplied solid wood furniture to homes across the UAE since 2015 from its own warehouse in the country. Every piece is 100% solid wood (mango, acacia, rosewood or teak), handcrafted in India and never MDF or veneer. The sizes and materials in this guide come from the specifications of the furniture we stock. Contact the team if you would like help choosing.