A buffet or sideboard adds enclosed storage and a display surface to a dining or living room — the place where crockery, table linen, glassware and serving dishes live. We stock over 450 buffets and sideboards — timber, engineered wood and modern designs in a range of widths and door layouts — from around $61, with most sitting between $100 and $400. Stock is held across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, so orders dispatch within 1-2 business days.
What is the difference between a buffet and a sideboard?
In practice, very little — the two words describe the same piece of furniture in Australia and are used interchangeably. Both are low, long cabinets with doors and sometimes drawers, designed to store and display. "Buffet" leans towards dining-room use, where the top is used to serve food, while "sideboard" is the broader term and is just as often used in a living room or hallway. When you shop, judge each unit by its size, storage layout and finish rather than the label.
What size buffet or sideboard do I need?
Buffets and sideboards generally run from about 100cm to 180cm wide. In a dining room, a common guide is to choose one a little shorter than the dining table it sits near, so the two look balanced. Measure the wall and leave clear space at each end so doors and drawers open freely, and keep at least 80cm of walkway in front. Check doorway widths before ordering — most of our buffets ship flat-packed through a standard 80cm doorway.
What back panel should a buffet have?
The back panel is the part that decides whether a buffet stays square over the years, and it is almost never mentioned in listings. A cheap buffet uses a thin 3mm hardboard back, which bows outward once the unit is loaded with heavy crockery or bottles and lets the whole cabinet twist out of square. A better buffet uses a 9–12mm engineered-wood back that holds the frame rigid under load. If you plan to store heavy items, check the back panel construction on the product page — it matters more than the door style.
Quick buyer's checklist
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Width: Pick one a little shorter than the dining table nearby
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Back panel: 9–12mm engineered wood holds square under load
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Storage layout: Match doors and drawers to what you will store
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Clearance: Leave room at the ends for doors and drawers to open
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Finish: Match the timber tone to your table and other furniture
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Flat-pack delivery: Most buffets ship boxed and fit through 80cm doorways
Where can a buffet or sideboard be used?
A buffet is not limited to the dining room. In a dining room it stores crockery and linen and gives a surface for serving. In a living room a sideboard holds media gear, board games and odds and ends, and the top displays lamps or photos. In a hallway or entryway a slim sideboard takes keys, mail and bags. Because it is essentially a long, low storage cabinet, it suits any room that needs concealed storage with a usable surface on top.
How much does a buffet or sideboard cost in Australia?
Buffets and sideboards at Simple Deals start from around $61 for compact engineered-wood units. Most mid-size buffets sit between $100 and $400, with larger solid timber and wide multi-door designs at the higher end. All buffets dispatch within 1–2 business days from our Australian warehouses.
What most furniture sites won't admit
Almost every buffet and sideboard sold online in Australia is imported from China, Vietnam, Malaysia or Indonesia — including ours. Where the unit is made is not the real difference between online furniture retailers. What matters is what happens after the stock lands in Australia. Marketplaces dropship straight from an overseas container, which is why their "fast delivery" stretches into six weeks. We import in bulk, hold stock across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, and ship from there — the same imported unit, dispatched in 1–2 business days.
Frequently asked questions
What if my buffet arrives damaged?
Contact us within 7 days with photos. We will arrange a replacement or refund under the 12-month warranty. Transit damage is uncommon with flat-pack buffets, and we work to resolve any claim quickly.
How long does delivery take?
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane: 3–5 business days. Perth and Adelaide: 5–8 days. Regional and remote areas: 7–14 days.
Can I pay with Afterpay, Zip or PayPal?
Yes, all three. A $350 buffet works out to four payments of $87.50 with Afterpay, four payments of $87.50 with PayPal Pay in 4, or roughly $30 a month with Zip over 12 months. Klarna is also available.
What's the warranty?
12 months on manufacturing defects, plus 15-day returns on unassembled buffets in original packaging.
Complete your dining room
A buffet handles dining storage, and a few pieces complete the room. Most buyers add three at the same time: a dining table the buffet sits in proportion to, a set of dining chairs to match, and a rug to define the dining zone.
Why us
Simple Deals — family-run since 2018. Australian warehouse stock. Support on 1300 456 786. Afterpay, Zip, Klarna and PayPal. 12-month warranty, 15-day returns. 4.66★ from 5,363 verified reviews.
