HOW TO STYLE YOUR SIDEBOARD
A sideboard has to be one of the most versatile pieces of furniture you could have in your home - it looks good in any style of home and any room of the house and provides a great opportunity to unleash your inner styling rock star.
Here are some super simple tips for styling a sideboard.
A WALL HERO
Having a hero piece on the wall above the sideboard is a no-brainer because it’s going to create a focal point. This wall hero could be a gorgeous print (or gallery of prints), a stunning mirror or a textural feast with something like a juju hat. Once you know what you’re going to place above the console, your next decision is where to position it – centred or off-centre? There is no ‘right’ way here, it really just depends on what will look better with the decorative pieces you’re going to use and whether you want to create symmetrical or asymmetrical balance. Both can look beautiful, but we usually gravitate towards an asymmetrical look. It’s a little fresher and more relaxed, and we like that.
DECORATIVE ITEMS
After you’ve chosen your wall hero (or heroes), the next thing you’re going to do is select a range of items to sit on the sideboard. An easy rule of thumb to follow is to choose things that vary in size so you end up with a good mix of heights and shapes. This creates visual interest and balance.
High - Adding height to a sideboard is probably the most important thing because it helps balance out the long, slimline dimensions of most sideboards. Our go-to is a vase of flowers or pretty branches, but a plant or a table lamp is also perfect for bringing in height. We also like to position our taller pieces so that they overlap the wall art slightly, creating a visual connection. Sometimes, this high piece can pack such a punch it replaces the need for any wall art at all.
Medium - These are often sculptural objects. We love using empty vases, succulents, upright books or large candles.
Low - Pretty bowls, a string of mud-beads, tiny candles, a small stack of books and sculptural objects from nature – shells or coral – tend to be our fave options for this category.
Once you’ve got your selection of items, arrange them in front of that wall hero to create balance and harmony. You don’t want everything sitting in a straight line (snoozefest!). Instead, create a bit of depth by pushing some of the taller items to the back a bit and bringing the lower-lying objects to the front. The key when styling these pieces is to cluster a few objects together.
How many ways can you style one sideboard?
Top tip - more is not more when styling a sideboard. Too many pieces can make it look cluttered and messy.
SEE Sarah’s SIDEBOARD STYLING…
“Can’t believe this is our entryway. I would never have gotten there without Three Birds Styling School. I’m loving this process. From my vision board & furniture plan to real life!”
Join Sarah and thousands of other students from around the world in our online Styling School. Our next intake starts on soon and we’d love to have you join us!
