Furniture 101: Buffets and Sideboards

{Image source: Triangle Honeymoon}

Buffet: A serving piece with drawers and/or open shelves for displaying and storing plates and silver. Buffets were “invented” around the 19th century when banquets evolved to a dinner party with dishes served on a sideboard.

I really don’t remember using them often as a food server, but they have always been a storage staple in my family. Typically we used only used it as a literal buffet table was during large family gatherings around the holidays. My entryway is small, and so is my dining room, so it wouldn’t be practical of me to incorporate a piece like this at this time. However, once I outgrow this house (hopefully not anytime soon) I’m sure I’ll wind up adding one to my furniture lineup.

{Image source: Young House Love}

{Image source: Overstock}

Do you use sideboards and buffets in your house? What do you use them for? Mainly for storage with an occasional sprinkling of buffet action around the holidays like my family? Or is every night a sideboard-laden-with-food kinda night?