So my other half have been furniture shopping for what feels like forever now, and honestly the price differences are mental. Like, we’ve seen sideboards that cost £150 and others that are over £2000, and they all basically look the same to me at first glance.
But after being dragged around loads of furniture shops (and doing way too much online research when I should have been revising), I’ve actually learned that there’s massive differences between cheap and expensive sideboards. And I don’t just mean the price tag!
If you’re trying to figure out how much to spend on a sideboard without getting ripped off OR ending up with something that falls apart after six months, this is everything I’ve learned about what you actually get for your money.
Why Sideboard Prices Are All Over the Place
First off, the price range for sideboards is absolutely ridiculous. You can literally spend anywhere from £100 to £3000+ and they might look pretty similar in photos. But trust me, there’s loads of reasons why some cost way more than others:
- Materials (proper wood vs fake stuff)
- How they’re made (hand-crafted vs mass-produced in a factory)
- Where they’re made (UK vs imported)
- Brand names (some companies just charge more because they can)
- How long they’ll last (this is the big one!)
The £200 Budget Range: What You’re Really Getting
Let’s be honest – if you’ve only got around £200 to spend, you’re not getting solid oak or anything fancy. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get something decent!
What to Expect:
Materials: Mostly MDF and Veneer Most budget sideboards are made from MDF (which is basically compressed wood dust) with a thin layer of wood-look veneer or even just printed paper stuck on top. Sounds rubbish, but actually some of these can look pretty good if you’re not looking too closely.
Assembly Required You’ll definitely be building this yourself. Expect to spend your Saturday afternoon with an Allen key and hopefully instructions that actually make sense. Pro tip: get someone to help you – these things are always heavier than they look!
Basic Hardware The handles, hinges, and drawer runners will be pretty basic. They’ll work, but don’t expect them to feel smooth and expensive. Drawers might stick a bit, and you’ll probably hear them when you open and close them.
Limited Warranty Most budget furniture only comes with a 1-2 year warranty, and that’s usually just for manufacturing defects, not normal wear and tear.
The Reality Check:
Budget sideboards can absolutely do the job, especially if you’re just starting out or furnishing a rental property. My mate has one from another retailer that’s been fine for one year so far. But don’t expect it to become a family heirloom!
Pros:
- Cheap and cheerful
- Gets the job done
- Easy to replace if you change your mind
- Good for temporary situations
Cons:
- Won’t last as long
- Might look obviously cheap up close
- Limited style options
- Can be wobbly or feel flimsy
The £500 Mid-Range Sweet Spot
This is where things get interesting. Around £500 is often the sweet spot where you start getting much better quality without going completely mental on price.
What Your Money Gets You:
Better Materials You’ll start seeing real wood veneer over solid wood cores, or even some solid wood construction. The difference in how it feels is massive – no more hollow sounds when you knock on it!
Improved Hardware Drawer runners will be smoother, hinges will feel more solid, and handles will actually feel nice to use. You might even get soft-close drawers, which is honestly life-changing once you’re used to it.
More Style Options At this price point, you get way more choice in terms of finishes, styles, and sizes. You’re not just stuck with basic brown or white – you can find things that actually match your room properly.
Better Construction Joints will be properly done, backs will be solid instead of flimsy, and the whole thing will feel much more sturdy. Less wobble, less creaking, less chance of it falling apart.
What I’ve Noticed:
This price range seems to be where you stop feeling like you’ve bought “cheap furniture” and start feeling like you’ve got something proper. The Oak Castle Furniture sideboard collection has some gorgeous examples in this range that look way more expensive than they are.
Pros:
- Noticeable step up in quality
- Will last much longer
- Looks and feels more expensive
- Better resale value
- More style choices
Cons:
- Obviously costs more upfront
- Might still need assembly
- Not quite “buy it for life” quality
The £1000+ Premium Territory
Okay, so this is where my parents started looking at prices and going “absolutely not” lol. But after seeing some of these in person, I kind of get why they cost so much.
What Premium Money Buys:
Solid Wood Construction We’re talking proper solid oak, walnut, or other hardwoods. Not veneer, not MDF – actual chunks of tree that will literally outlast you. The weight difference alone is mental.
Proper Craftsmanship These are often hand-finished or made by skilled craftspeople who actually know what they’re doing. Joints are perfect, finishes are flawless, and everything just feels premium.
Hardware That Actually Works Soft-close everything, smooth-as-butter drawer runners, and handles that feel substantial. Opening and closing drawers becomes weirdly satisfying.
Unique Designs At this price, you’re getting furniture that’s designed rather than just manufactured. Unique details, interesting proportions, and finishes you won’t see everywhere else.
Proper Warranties Many premium manufacturers offer 10+ year warranties because they’re confident their stuff will last. Some even offer lifetime warranties on the structure.
The Reality:
This is “buy it once” territory. These sideboards will probably outlast your house, and they’ll look better as they age. But you’re definitely paying for that quality.
Pros:
- Will literally last decades
- Looks and feels amazing
- Holds value well
- Often unique designs
- Professional delivery/assembly usually included
Cons:
- Expensive upfront
- Might be overkill for some situations
- Takes longer to get (often made to order)
- Heavy (moving house becomes more complicated)
What I’d Actually Recommend
After seeing loads of different sideboards and hearing my parents argue about prices for weeks, here’s my honest take:
If You’re On a Tight Budget (£200-£300):
Go for it, but be realistic about what you’re getting. Look for simple designs that won’t date quickly, and don’t expect it to last forever. Oak Castle furniture do some decent options that’ll get you through a few years.
If You Can Stretch to Mid-Range (£400-£700):
This is honestly the best value in my opinion. You get SO much more quality for not that much more money. Look for solid wood veneer over MDF cores, and try to see it in person before buying.
If Money’s Not Really an Issue (£1000+):
Go for solid wood from a reputable manufacturer. You’re buying something that could last 50+ years, so think of it as an investment. The Oak Castle collection has some beautiful premium options that are properly worth the money.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Whatever your budget, here’s some things that should make you think twice:
- Prices that seem too good to be true (there’s usually a reason)
- No reviews or really bad reviews
- Unclear materials descriptions (if they won’t tell you what it’s made from, that’s suspicious)
- No warranty at all
- Delivery times that are mental (either suspiciously fast or ridiculously slow)
My Final Decision
After all this research and shop visits, my parents ended up going for something in the £600 range. It’s solid wood veneer with a real wood core, has soft-close drawers, and looks way more expensive than it was. They figured it was worth spending a bit more to get something that’ll last properly.
Honestly, seeing the difference between the cheap one we looked at and the one they bought has made me realize that furniture is one of those things where spending a bit more actually makes sense. You use it every day, so why not get something decent?
The Bottom Line
Look, there’s no “right” amount to spend on a sideboard. It depends on your budget, how long you want it to last, and what your priorities are. But now you know what the different price points actually get you.
Just remember – the most expensive option isn’t always the best for YOUR situation. A £200 sideboard that does what you need for three years might be better than a £1500 one that’s overkill for your space.
Whatever you choose, try to see it in person if you can. Photos can be proper misleading, and you want to know what you’re actually getting for your money!
Hope this helps anyone else trying to navigate the mental world of furniture prices. Good luck with your shopping!