Painted Sideboard and Buffet Ideas

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Photo collage of four painted buffets/sideboards. Clockwise from the top left - dark brown buffet, medium gray sideboard, dark teal buffet, black sideboard.

If you are thinking of updating your dining room, a sideboard or buffet is a central design element. They can be very expensive new, but you can still create something beautiful on a budget. Whether want to update something you have, or refubish a secondhand find, these painted sideboard and buffet ideas will give you the inspiration you’ve been looking for!


What’s the difference between a sideboard and Buffet?

A sideboard has storage that goes all the way to the ground (or close – there may be some feet). Whereas a buffet cabinet has storage up high and is open below with longer legs.

1. Distressed black sideboard

Before photo of black distressed buffet.
Photo of black painted sideboard with distressed edges. The sideboard has brass Hepplewhite style hardware and is pictured with a vase, artwork with birds and an old print tray resting on top.

Goodbye shiny wood finish! This sideboard was refinished for a client in the color Jett Black by Melange Paints. She wanted some of the details highlighted, so we decided on distressing the piece to add more character.


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2. Dated buffet transformation

Before photo of a vintage buffet in a medium wood finish with lots of different wood details.
After photo of buffet painted brown with many of the wood details removed.

This buffet transformation created a lot of stir on my Instagram account – people either loved it or hated it! My client had this piece from her grandmother, but her style was much more modern, so we gave it a makeunder by removing a lot of the details. Yes, some people loved those details, but big transformations can be so fun! My client loved the result and that’s all that matters. Painted in Dark Horse by Melange Paints.

3. Painted navy sideboard with a wood top

Photo of a vintage sideboard before being refinished.
Photo of a painted navy sideboard with flowers books and other decor on top. The sideboard has brass hardware and a dark wood top.

Navy sideboard? Yes please! This one was made even better with a stained wood top – be sure to check out all the details of this makeover. Painted in the color Stars at Night, my absolute favorite navy by Melange Paints.

4. Charcoal gray Queen Anne buffet

Before photo buffet with missing back mirror.
After photo. Buffet with added backsplash and painted gray.

I love the long top drawer on this large Queen Anne-style buffet. By giving it a fresh coat of paint and some new hardware, the details on this piece shine. I also had to add a new backsplash in the space where a mirror used to be. Painted in Antique Black by Melange Paints.

5. Buffet with long legs

Before photo of a mahogany sideboard with long legs.
After photo of a sideboard with long legs. Top is painted in a dark teal and legs are stained wood.

This style of sideboard, with Hepplewhite hardware and long legs, is my all-time favorite! Such a classic style and they look great in so many colors with the wood legs to contrast. Painted in the color Carbon by Melange Paints, sadly, a discontinued dark teal color.

6. Bronze Hepplewhite sideboard

before photo of vintage hepplewhite sideboard
After photo of vintage hepplewhite sideboard painted in a brown/bronze color

This style of sideboard maximizes storage with lots of drawers and two tall cabinets. Painted in the color Restoration Bronze by Melange Paints, a moody neutral with brown and green undertones, you can get the rest of the makeover details here.

7. Duck egg blue small buffet

Before photo of small wooden sideboard with long legs
After photo of painted wooden sideboard with long legs. Painted in a duck egg blue color.

This client-owned sideboard may be small, but the fresh duck egg blue color, Free Spirit by Melange Paints, gives it a big personality!

8. Painted French Provençal sideboard

Before photo of wood stained French Provencal buffet.
After photo of wood French Provencal buffet painted in light gray.

French Provincial furniture looks beautiful in so many colors, and this buffet is no exception! Painted in Renegade Gray by Melange paints. This color has been discontinued, but it lands in between Cinder Gray and Hurricane Gray.

9. Sideboard with a pop of color!

Before photo of small hepplewhite cabinet
After photo of small hepplewhite cabinet painted in coral.

An oldie but goodie! One of my older furniture makeovers is still sitting in our guest room and is the perfect accent to the rest of the neutral and navy decor. Painted in a mixture of Copperhead Orange (discontinued) and Perfect White, both by Melange Paints.

10. Classic black sideboard

Before photo of wood buffet with three drawers, two cabinets and open shelving.
After photo of the same buffet painted black with new oil rubbed bronze hardware.

I started this post of buffets with one painted in black, so it seems only fitting to end with another Jett Black beauty. A truly timeless color for buffets and sideboards! This one has a more modern feel with a smooth, solid finish and turned wood feet.

I hope you find these painted sideboard and buffet ideas inspiring! Happy painting, friends!

Don’t Forget!

Melange Paints has been gracious enough to offer an affiliate discount code for my readers! Simply use the code FRESH10 at checkout for a 10% discount sitewide.

After photo of the same buffet painted black with new oil rubbed bronze hardware.

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