A 70cm wide sideboard can be a useful storage piece in a hallway, compact dining room, bedroom, home office or small living room. Its size makes it easier to place on a narrow wall or in an alcove, while drawers and cupboards can provide a home for the items that usually create clutter.
Before changing handles, painting surfaces or adding decorative details, decide whether you genuinely need to modify the furniture. Often, the safest and most effective way to personalise a sideboard is through styling, hardware that fits the existing fixings, and accessories that can be removed later.
If you do plan to alter the finish or fittings, check the product-care information and warranty terms first. Some changes may affect the finish, damage veneer or painted surfaces, weaken a fitting or invalidate a manufacturer warranty.
Start With the Right 70cm Sideboard
A 70cm sideboard can work well in compact spaces because it provides useful storage without taking up the wall space of a larger dining-room cabinet.
It can suit:
- Narrow hallways
- Apartments and smaller homes
- Compact dining areas
- Living-room alcoves
- Bedrooms needing low-level storage
- Home-office corners
- Entrance areas needing a place for keys, bags and post
Before choosing a style, measure:
- The available wall width
- The maximum depth before furniture affects a walkway
- Clearance for drawers and cupboard doors
- Nearby radiators, sockets and skirting boards
- The space around dining chairs, sofas or beds
- Doorways, halls and stairs for delivery access
The 70cm format is small enough for compact UK rooms while still providing usable storage and display space. The existing 70cm styling guide also highlights matching the sideboard’s finish, leg style and hardware to the broader interior style of the room.
Explore our collection of 70cm wide sideboards and small oak sideboards to compare compact storage options.
Decide What to Change
Not every part of a sideboard needs changing. Start with the least permanent options, especially if the furniture is new, has a factory-applied finish or may need to be resold, moved or returned in the future.
| Level of change | Examples | Risk and effort |
|---|---|---|
| Easy and reversible | Styling the top, adding a tray, changing artwork, using baskets | Low |
| Light modification | Replacing compatible handles or knobs | Moderate |
| Surface refresh | Waxing, polishing or using an approved furniture-care product | Moderate |
| Major modification | Painting, staining, sanding, drilling or replacing door panels | High |
| Structural changes | Adding shelves, changing hinges, cutting cable holes or replacing fronts | High |
Begin with styling and accessories. If the sideboard still does not suit the room, then consider whether a reversible hardware update would make the difference.
Avoid drilling, sanding or painting before checking the furniture construction and finish. Oak veneer, solid oak, painted MDF and lacquered timber all need different treatment.
Change Handles and Knobs Carefully
Changing knobs or handles can be one of the quickest ways to give a sideboard a different character. However, the new hardware must be compatible with the existing drilling pattern, door thickness and drawer-front construction.
Before buying new handles:
- Measure the distance between the two fixing holes, centre to centre.
- Measure the existing handle length and projection.
- Check whether the door or drawer front is solid wood, veneer, painted MDF or another material.
- Confirm the screw length will not protrude through the front.
- Check that handles will not catch on adjacent doors, drawers or walls.
- Keep the original hardware in a labelled bag in case you want to reinstall it later.
- Test one handle before replacing all of them.
Do not force screws into new holes without checking what is behind the surface. Incorrect drilling can split wood, damage veneer, crack paint or weaken the door or drawer front.
Hardware Ideas by Style
| Interior style | Handle or knob ideas |
|---|---|
| Scandinavian | Small wooden knobs, simple black pulls or minimal recessed-style hardware |
| Modern | Slim black bar handles, brushed nickel or simple matte-metal pulls |
| Rustic | Aged brass, antique bronze, black iron or simple wooden knobs |
| Mid-century inspired | Rounded wood knobs, brass knobs or compact curved pulls |
| Traditional | Cup handles, antique brass knobs or classic rounded pulls |
| Modern country | Black cup handles, painted wood knobs or aged-brass fittings |
| Industrial | Matte-black metal handles, dark gunmetal or utilitarian bar pulls |
The current Oak Castle style guidance similarly links minimal or hidden hardware with clean-lined contemporary rooms, warm wood knobs or understated metal pulls with mid-century influences, and cup handles or classic knobs with more traditional interiors.
Match Hardware to the Rest of the Room
New handles should not look isolated. Repeat the finish somewhere else in the room so the sideboard feels connected to the wider décor.
For example:
- Use black handles with a black-framed mirror, lamp base or curtain pole.
- Pair brass knobs with a brass lamp, picture frame or candleholders.
- Use wooden knobs with oak picture frames, natural baskets or a timber dining table.
- Match brushed-nickel handles with nearby lighting, door furniture or shelving brackets.
- Pair antique bronze hardware with vintage-style mirrors, darker wood and stoneware.
You do not need every metal finish in the room to match perfectly. However, limiting the room to one dominant finish and one smaller accent finish usually creates a more cohesive result than mixing brass, chrome, black and copper without a clear plan.
Use Styling to Change the Look
The top of a sideboard offers the easiest way to personalise it without making permanent changes. A small 70cm sideboard does not need many accessories; one well-considered arrangement will usually have more impact than a crowded display.
Use a simple formula:
- Add one taller item, such as a lamp, framed print, mirror, plant or tall vase.
- Add one medium-height piece, such as books, a smaller vase or framed photograph.
- Add one lower, practical object, such as a tray, bowl or decorative box.
- Leave clear space so the sideboard remains useful.
For a hallway, use a tray for keys and post. In a living room, use it for remote controls and coasters. In a dining room, use it as a small drinks or serving station.
A small sideboard works best when the surface is edited rather than covered. Your existing styling content recommends creating balance with varying heights and keeping visible surfaces clear enough to remain practical.
Choose Colours That Work With Oak
Oak has natural warmth, so the colours and finishes around it can change the mood of the entire room.
Light and Neutral
Pair light oak with:
- White, cream and soft beige
- Pale grey
- Clear glass
- White or stone-coloured ceramics
- Linen lampshades
- Muted green or soft blue
- Simple black accents
This combination suits Scandinavian-inspired, modern and relaxed neutral interiors.
Warm and Rustic
Pair natural oak with:
- Terracotta and clay tones
- Olive or sage green
- Cream and warm grey
- Aged brass
- Stoneware ceramics
- Woven baskets
- Dried flowers or branches
- Darker green, navy or charcoal textiles
This works well in traditional, rustic and modern-country rooms.
Bold and Contemporary
For a more dramatic look, use:
- Matte black
- Deep navy
- Forest green
- Charcoal grey
- Rust or burnt orange
- Smoked glass
- Brass or black metal
- Abstract art with stronger colour
In a compact room, use darker colours as accents rather than painting every wall or covering the sideboard top with dark accessories.
Think Carefully Before Painting an Oak Sideboard
Painting can dramatically change a piece of furniture, but it is not always the right option. A factory finish may be difficult to paint over successfully, and painting may affect warranties, future resale, repair options and the natural oak appearance.
Before painting, consider:
- Whether the furniture is solid oak, oak veneer, painted MDF or a mixed construction
- Whether the existing surface is lacquered, waxed, oiled or painted
- Whether sanding could damage a thin veneer layer
- Whether you are comfortable with preparation, drying time and ongoing touch-ups
- Whether a removable styling update would achieve the look instead
- Whether the manufacturer’s care instructions advise against repainting
If you decide to paint, first test the process on a hidden area or an offcut with a compatible product. Follow the paint manufacturer’s guidance, prepare the surface correctly and allow each coat to cure fully before using the furniture.
Do not assume that every wood finish can be sanded heavily. Veneered furniture, in particular, has only a thin oak layer on the surface and can be permanently damaged by aggressive sanding.
For a more substantial furniture-change project, the site’s existing DIY article suggests planning the intended use, materials, finish and hardware before starting work.
Safer Alternatives to Repainting
If you want a new look without permanently changing the finish, try:
- Replacing compatible handles or knobs
- Adding a mirror or artwork above the sideboard
- Using a coloured table lamp
- Styling with a bold ceramic vase or coloured glass
- Adding a tray in black, brass, rattan or painted wood
- Using a linen runner
- Adding baskets inside or beneath the cabinet
- Changing the wall colour behind the sideboard
- Hanging a colourful print or gallery-style artwork
- Using removable furniture pads beneath decorative objects
These updates can make a significant difference while preserving the furniture’s original finish.
Use a 70cm Sideboard in Different Rooms
A compact sideboard can serve different purposes depending on the room.
| Room | Useful 70cm sideboard role |
|---|---|
| Hallway | Keys, post, bags, umbrellas and seasonal accessories |
| Small dining room | Tableware, glassware, linens and serving pieces |
| Living room | Remote controls, cables, games, books and media accessories |
| Home office | Files, stationery, printer paper, chargers and household admin |
| Bedroom | Folded clothing, bedding, books and personal items |
| Kitchen-diner | Extra crockery, serving dishes, drinks and entertaining accessories |
| Guest room | Spare towels, toiletries, books and visitors’ belongings |
The same sideboard can look entirely different depending on the hardware, wall colour, lamp, artwork and objects displayed on top.
Keep the Sideboard Practical
Customisation should not make the furniture harder to use. Keep drawers and cupboards easy to open, and preserve enough clear surface space for everyday tasks.
Avoid:
- Adding handles that protrude too far into a narrow walkway
- Using heavy ornaments on unstable surfaces
- Covering doors or drawers with decorative pieces that obstruct access
- Drilling into the furniture without checking construction
- Trapping cables in drawers or cupboard doors
- Placing water-filled vases directly onto oak
- Overloading shelves beyond the product’s intended use
- Making electrical modifications inside the furniture
Use baskets, drawer dividers and trays to keep the inside organised. This makes a small sideboard feel more useful and ensures your decorative changes are supported by practical storage.
Protect the Surface and Finish
Whatever styling approach you choose, protect the oak from moisture, heat and scratches.
- Use coasters under drinks and bottles.
- Place water-filled vases and plant pots on a waterproof tray or liner.
- Use felt pads beneath lamps, bowls and decorative objects.
- Use heat-resistant mats for hot dishes.
- Wipe spills promptly with a soft cloth.
- Avoid harsh chemical sprays and abrasive cleaners.
- Dust regularly with a dry microfibre cloth.
- Keep furniture away from prolonged strong sunlight and direct heat.
- Follow the care guidance for the specific finish on your sideboard.
Find a Compact Sideboard for Your Home
A 70cm sideboard can be practical storage for a smaller room and a useful foundation for personal styling. Start with the right size and storage layout, then use hardware, lighting, artwork and accessories to make it feel connected to your home.
The best customisation is often the simplest: a compatible handle update, a carefully chosen lamp, a framed print and a practical tray can make a compact oak sideboard feel completely different without requiring permanent changes.
Explore our range of 70cm wide sideboards and small oak sideboards to find practical storage for hallways, bedrooms, dining rooms and compact living spaces.