Revealed: Interior designers' secrets to a budget home refresh
Bo Concept’s Santiago sideboard is a streamlined contemporary design, softened by rounded corners with ample surface for styling.
Those of us more artisan than artistic often cut our creative teeth at home with an attempt at styling, and there’s no better place to compile vignettes of vases, candleholders and piles of glossy interior design books than on a sideboard or coffee table.
Sideboards have evolved and they’re no longer just part of a dining room furniture set, says interior designer and stylist Catherine O’Flynn of Catherine O’Flynn Interiors: “They are now in living rooms often seen behind sofas displaying our record players and vinyl collection in open-plan areas, incorporated into our kitchens for extra storage, adding presence to larger hallways and, of course, the all-important drinks’ cabinet.”
By sticking to a few simple rules, the surface can be transformed with seasonal opportunities for changing elements by adding trending colours, textures and styles. “In spring I prefer to style using a paired back look with clean lines — a simple vase with greenery of some kind or a structural plant adding height — maybe adding a small print, layering it against the wall mirror," says Catherine.
"A good-sized lamp in scale with the sideboard [will also work], perhaps changing the colour of the shade to reflect spring, and an object of interest, something with texture, like a beach find.”
Coffee tables are often the focal point in a room so it’s important to get the look right and have the eye drawn to something pleasant and not the detritus of lazy evenings in front of the television.
“Styling a coffee table is an art in itself,” says Catherine. “Many of us like to have our favourite hardback books to hand, fresh foliage, objects with different textures on display; anything that is of visual interest to us. These objects will infuse the room with our personality and style.”
If you’re looking to make a purchase of either a coffee table or sideboard or both, Catherine’s advice is practical. “Most of the mistakes I see in homes are to do with scale,” she says. “I like the coffee table to be three quarters of the size of the sofa. Sideboards should be sized based on the wall they are sitting against.”
When it comes to sideboard purchases, the choice is endless as the piece makes a comeback after being abandoned when separate dining rooms went out of fashion.
Styles and materials are now reflected in our move towards warmer more personal spaces which retain functionality, according to Issy Uhlemann, design manager at Scandinavian retailer Bo Concept. “We are searching for pieces that are more unique and characterful,” she says. “It's less about a clean surface and more about creating a place for family photos or some collected pieces from travel abroad.”
A browse online shows the breadth of choice available and some interesting developments focusing on multi-function which is essential in more compact homes, utilising them so they really earn their keep and the precious floor space they take up.
Sideboards and coffee tables are both incredibly versatile pieces of furniture in the home, says Issy. “Sideboards can be used in a variety of ways, from functioning as storage units for dining rooms or living rooms, to being used as TV consoles or display pieces in entryways or hallways," she adds. "They can contain all that clutter you would rather keep out of sight. They also work well in home offices where they can store documents and office supplies while still maintaining a sophisticated look.”
With coffee tables having evolved beyond just being a surface for drinks, modern designs are now used for everything from creating focal points in the living room to serving as an additional storage solution with many having drawers or hidden compartments for keeping remote controls, magazines, and other essentials tucked away.
Jessica Hayes, marketing manager at retailer Pod Furniture, sees customers gravitating towards bold, statement pieces with emphasis is on enduring design rather than fleeting trends, and with the emergence of another furniture piece which fits between the sideboard and coffee table in style and function. “An intriguing shift we’ve observed is the use of larger consoles in spaces where sideboards were traditionally placed,” she says.
“A well-designed console with storage not only offers practicality but also helps maintain an open, airy feel in the room. This move toward adaptable, enduring design reflects a thoughtful approach to interior styling, one that prioritises quality, versatility, and timeless appeal.”
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