What to Look for When Shopping for an Industrial Sideboard

Did you know that sideboards first came into being in the Middle Ages?

Fast-forward to 2022, and the trusty sideboard hasn't gone anywhere. We might have thrown off most things from the middle ages, but sideboards are a keeper.

Sideboards help complete a room, add a styling opportunity, and provide valuable storage space. 

But sideboards are an investment piece, especially if you go for a good quality one. If you're shopping for a sideboard, you need to get clear on what you're looking for so you don't have to suffer any sideboard buying regrets. 

Looking for an industrial sideboard specifically? If so, you've come to the right place.

Read on to find out everything you need to know to pick out the perfect industrial console table or sideboard. 

Good Craftmanship

The first thing to look for when shopping for furniture is good craftsmanship. This is especially important if you're looking to buy industrial furniture or rustic pieces.

Big stores know how popular rustic and industrial pieces are. However, most mass-produced furniture can never truly replicate the quality of boutique, handcrafted items. 

Mass-produced furniture will never look authentically industrial. Industrial pieces use real, genuine materials like steel and reclaimed wood. 

Mass-produced copies are usually made from things like spray-painted aluminium and laminated wood chipboard or faux wood. 

These factory-made pieces don't look as authentic and genuine as artisan-made industrial furniture items. What's more, they also won't last as long. 

Before you know it, the paint is chipping, and the faux wood looks less real by the day. In contrast, handcrafted items made from genuine materials tend to look better as they age. Scratches and wear on the wood add character and lets your piece tell a story. 

Well-crafted furniture items are also far more sustainable than cheap, mass-produced pieces. One of the biggest interior decorating trends in 2022 is a focus on sustainability.

By investing in an industrial sideboard that features real steel and reclaimed wood, you're not only buying a piece that can last a lifetime. You're also supporting the repurposing of materials. 

The Right Dimensions

Besides artisanship, you also need to make sure you pick a sideboard that has the right dimensions for your space. 

Start by measuring out the area where you want the sideboard to sit. Then start looking at industrial sideboard options to find one that will fit. 

You can even tape out the exact footprint of the sideboard on your floor. This will give you a feeling of how it will fit in the room and affect the flow. 

The Right Surface Height

Besides the length and width, you should also think about how high you want your sideboard to be. 

If you're going to be using it as a true sideboard, and plan to place dishes of food on it, then you can go for a standard height of around 80-90cm.

But, if you're on the shorter side, you might want to think about opting for a lower height, such as 65cm. Low furniture can create a sense of openness and create more visual space, especially in rooms with low ceilings. 

On the other hand, what if you're not going to use the sideboard to serve food? Maybe you just want it for storage and to make your dining area feel more furnished?

If storage is your main objective, we'd recommend going with a taller option, especially if you're blessed with tall ceilings. A taller alternative, such as this industrial apothecary unit, will you extra storage, and still allow you to display decor items on the top. 

The Right Wood Tones

If you're on the hunt for the perfect industrial sideboard, you also need to think about wood tones and colour. 

Most industrial pieces that feature wood skew towards natural wood tones. These are usually on the darker side, as most sealants add depth and saturation to wood. 

Whitewashed wood is generally not a good fit for industrial pieces. If you want a paint-washed look, you might be able to find some distressed black pieces that fit the industrial look to a tee.

Very dark brown wood tones are also usually not a great match, as they can feel too opulent and traditional. 

Medium wood tones in a natural finish are usually the best look for industrial pieces. Stay away from anything with a high gloss finish, as this definitely won't look authentically industrial. 

If you don't want to incorporate a wood piece into your space, you can also look for a painted metal sideboard. A dark matt black industrial sideboard can look very striking, especially if it's picked out with the right accessories, such as a couple of houseplants in industrial planters, or a pair of industrial desk lamps to illuminate it. 

If your sideboard is going to function more as a console table, you could also browse some narrow industrial desks.

The Right Hardware

Another very important thing to look for when searching for an industrial sideboard is the right hardware. If you're going for an industrial look, you definitely don't want gold drawer knobs or rose-gold pulls. 

Instead, look for rustic pieces that feature either black steel hardware or cast brass. Black fittings always pair a treat with industrial pieces, and brass gives an authentic vintage feel. 

The Right Leg Height

If you're going to be serving from your sideboard, you might want to make sure that it has enough clearance for your toes to comfortably be able to fit underneath.

If you're just using your sideboard for storage, you won't have to worry about this. But, you may wish to pick a sideboard this still has long enough legs that you can get underneath it with a vacuum head to clean. 

Industrial Details 

As they say, the devil's in the details. If you buy an "industrial" sideboard that has the wrong detailing, this will throw off the design of the whole piece.

For instance, most industrial pieces are painted or finished in matt products. If you buy a so-called industrial piece that has a shiny black metal frame in high-gloss paint, this won't look the part. 

If the hardware is wrong, this too will spoil the effect. Even if a piece is marketed as an industrial sideboard, take some time to examine its details. 

Furniture retailers can be quick to hop on whichever buzzword and trends are hot. If a certain keyword is going to reel in buyers, they'll use it, regardless of whether the piece truly fits the description. 

One way to guard against this is by shopping with furniture sellers that specialize in industrial designs, like us. 

You can also keep your eyes peeled for signature industrial details like pop rivets, cup pulls, curved handles, and metal name holders.

Simplicity

Industrial furniture has a signature distressed look. It is usually a little bit rustic and has clean, simple lines. 

Ornate, fussy, and highly intricate details don't blend well with an industrial decorating theme. 

Therefore, look for pieces that have a utilitarian flavour to them, and feature clean, practical lines. 

Practical Storage Solutions

Another thing to look for in an industrial sideboard is practical storage solutions. As we mentioned earlier, sideboards can be a handy source for additional storage. 

Are you struggling to organise all of your tableware in your kitchen cupboards? Or maybe your dining area is cluttered with salt and pepper grinders and piles of napkins that never make their way back to the kitchen?

According to statistics, 82% of Brits say that clutter negatively affects their mood. If your dining room is becoming a downer thanks to too much clutter, a sideboard can be an easy fix. 

If you just have a few utilitarian things to store, and a collection of attractive dishware items, you can opt for something like this matt grey vintage industrial-style sideboard that features fluted glass doors.

The fluted glass can hide unsightly details but still give you a dreamy glimpse of your prized dinnerware. A handy set of drawers on the left makes for a perfect place to store things like cutlery, servers, and miscellaneous dining-related bits and bobs. 

Alternatively, if your sideboard's main purpose is upping your storage game, then you might want to consider something like our haberdashery sideboard. Picked out in a medium tone grey, this piece is all about easily-accessible storage. 

With its eight deep drawers, you can store just about anything in it, from those seldom-used casserole dishes to toys, hats, and anything in between. 

Are You Looking for the Perfect Industrial Sideboard? 

Finding the perfect industrial sideboard can feel like quite the hunt. Now that you know what elements to look for, it's time to get out that measuring tape and start shopping. 

With these buying tips, we're sure you'll be able to find the perfect piece in next to no time. 

What's more, you've come to the ideal place for buying industrial furniture. We stock a wide range of industrial furniture lines, handcrafted by artisans from premiums materials, including sustainable options such as reclaimed wood. 

Browse our online storefront today to find the perfect industrial console table or sideboard.