Storage Furniture — Sideboards, TV Units & Cabinets
Good storage maintains a home peaceful, a place for everything and a fashionable surface on top to show off the items you love. Foy's Interiors have been helping people equip their homes since 1981. Our storage line combines the items that keep living and dining rooms organised; sideboards, TV units, bookcases, display cabinets and drinks cabinets, in finishes to fit every taste.
Shop solid wood, oak and modern designs that combine useful storage with an appearance that draws the area together.
Explore Our Storage Range
Whether it’s clearing up the living room or setting up the dining space, here’s a look at the basic types of storage furniture to help you pick.
Sideboards
A sideboard is one of the most versatile items in the home – a low, wide unit with shelves and drawers that keeps dining and living spaces neat, with a surface on top for lamps, plants and display. Originally used in the dining room for tableware and service, sideboards work just as well in living rooms, corridors and open-plan spaces nowadays, and many double up wonderfully as a TV stand.
TV Units
A TV unit is often the centre-piece of the living room, putting your screen at a suitable viewing height and hiding cables, consoles and clutter behind doors. Select a unit that is wide enough to comfortably fit beyond the edges of your TV with room for a soundbar and any media boxes in a style to complement your sofa and décor.
Bookshelves
Bookshelves and shelving units offer both storage and exhibition space and are perfect for books, ornaments and framed portraits. From imposing statement pieces to compact designs for smaller rooms, a bookshelf is an easy way to add style and keep everyday things close at hand.
Display Cabinets
A glass-doored display cabinet is the best method to show off prized objects, fine china, glasses, ornaments or family heirlooms and keep them dust-free. A fashionable alternative for dining rooms and living rooms in both modern and traditional decors.
Drinks Cabinets & Trolleys
A drinks cabinet or cart adds a sense of occasion to parties, providing a place to keep and serve drinks and glassware. Fixed cabinets offer a stylish show piece, while a drinks trolley provides flexible, transportable service for entertaining.
Choosing the Right Storage
Good planning means your storage fits the room as neatly as it manages it.
Size & Proportion
A sideboard looks best when there is some visible wall on either side of it and a reasonable rule of thumb is about two-thirds the width of the wall. Most sideboards are around 2ft 6in to 3ft (75 to 90cm) high, at around seat height, so the top is still functional without being overbearing. Keep an eye on the depth in compact spaces: a regular depth of roughly 16 to 18in (40 to 45cm) can seem unwieldy in a tiny hallway.
Using a Sideboard as a TV Unit
TV stands are great for sideboards because of their vast storage and careful style. If you’re going to use one like this, choose a piece that extends comfortably beyond both sides of the screen, verify the top will bear the weight of the TV and any soundbar, and make sure there’s a means to pass cables at the rear. If you want to keep media equipment ventilated and cords neat from the off, a dedicated TV unit would be better for you.
Complete the Look
Coordinate your storage with your living room furniture or dining table to tie your storage in with the rest of the area. Style the top with items like lamps, vases and frames. We always love helping you to plan a space and you’re welcome to come and see a selection of our storage furniture in person at our showroom in Enniskillen.
Storage Furniture FAQs
What is a sideboard used for?
A sideboard is a low wide cabinet with cupboards and drawers, originally for the dining room, for storing tableware and serving food. It remains just as popular today in the living room, hallway or open-plan space, hiding away everyday debris, while giving a surface on top for lamps, plants and exhibition. A sideboard also is used by many as a fashionable alternative to a TV stand.
Can I use a sideboard as a TV unit?
Yes, it is a popular choice. A sideboard provides ample storage and a more refined design than a typical TV stand. Just make sure it’s broad enough to fit the TV comfortably with some space each side, that the top can safely hold the weight of the screen and a speaker, and that you can route wires at the rear. If you want ventilation and built-in cable management, a purpose-built TV unit is perhaps the easier alternative.
What height should a sideboard be?
The height of most sideboards is from 2ft 6in to 3ft (75 to 90cm). A sideboard that is flush or just below the back of your sofa looks best in a living room, and in a dining room it works nicely at about the same height as the backs of your dining chairs. The height difference of a few inches between storage pieces on the same wall creates a peaceful, harmonised look in the area.
How wide should my sideboard be?
As a general rule, try for a sideboard that’s around two-thirds the width of the wall it’s up against, leaving a little wall visible on either side so it doesn’t feel squeezed. It’s also helpful to connect the sideboard to other furniture nearby – a very slim piece can get lost next to a giant sofa or dining table, and an expansive one can dwarf a small space. Measure the wall first, mark the width on the floor, and the choice is much easier.
What's the difference between a sideboard and a display cabinet?
The sideboard is a low, horizontal piece of furniture that emphasises concealed storage behind cupboard doors and in drawers, with a surface on top for display. A display cabinet is usually taller and has glass doors or glass panels. It is used to display prized things such as china, glassware, etc., but to keep them clear of dust. Many dining rooms use both – the sideboard for regular storage and service, the display cabinet for showpieces.
Can I see the storage furniture in person before I buy?
We have a variety of some of our storage furniture on display in our Enniskillen showroom so you are very welcome to come and see the finishes in actual light and check the sizes yourselves. We don’t display all models as our range is bigger than the showroom floor but our experts can guide you through the alternatives and help you find the appropriate item for your home whether you’re buying in store or online.