How to Choose the Perfect Buffet for Your Dining Room
Choosing a buffet seems like a challenging task until you start. The perfect buffet is the unsung hero of the dining room, elevating your space from a mere spot for meals to something grander. It offers storage, convenience, and a dash of panache.
Yet, the search for the right one feels, at times, like being swept into a surreal grocery aisle where all labels are blank, the lights too dim, and the shelves arranged by a madman. But never fear.
Here are five core considerations to help you pick a buffet worthy of your most cherished family reunions and party dinners.
1. Know Your Space
Buffets are sneaky because they tend to look slender in a showroom and then arrive on a delivery day like an upholstered elephant. So, get intimate with your space.
Look for outlets, measure wall lengths, and leave enough room for chairs to back up comfortably without grazing the buffet’s smooth (or not-so-smooth) surfaces.
Consider low-profile buffets that don’t monopolize the room unless you’re into the theatrical and have a flair for the grandiose. Go for something that complements your dining table rather than threatening it. You wouldn’t want your furniture to start squabbling like unsupervised kids on a long car ride.
2. Style
Style, in buffet-land, is an entire universe. There are mid-century modern ones, sleek and low-slung, that might remind you of your grandmother’s old hi-fi. Then there are French-inspired numbers laden with ornate flourishes that look like they’re auditioning for the set of a period drama. Find something that speaks to you and whispers “function” gently in your ear.
Match your buffet’s style to the room’s general aesthetic, but don’t be afraid of a bit of boldness. Imagine a sleek black buffet in a room full of pastel blue walls and delicate chandeliers – it’s a bit like wearing combat boots to a garden party. It’s unexpected, but it will your better workspace.
A buffet should make you feel grounded in your taste and style. Otherwise, you risk ending up with a piece that feels like an acquaintance who always wears expensive cologne. They are strong and pleasant from a distance but overwhelming when they get too close.
3. Storage
Buffets are deceptively simple; beneath those sleek doors lie storage secrets. Think of it as the furniture world’s answer to storage, ready to stash everything from fine china to the occasional embarrassing kitchen gadget.
Ideally, a buffet will offer a neat system of drawers, shelves, and compartments—a place for wine glasses, table linens, and that odd set of dessert plates your aunt gave you, never once questioning why you need them.
Before buying, imagine yourself opening it every day. Consider how often you’ll tug at those doors to retrieve a wine glass or a tablecloth. Are the drawers smooth, the handles sturdy, the hinges as silent as a librarian’s shoes?
The day-to-day interactions matter more than you think. A buffet should be a friend, not a chore. So test those doors and drawers as if you’re settling into a new relationship that lasts for years.
4. Material
Buffets come in a vast array of materials – wood, metal, glass, or even mirrored ones if you’re the sort who finds comfort in reflections. The wood varieties can range from sturdy oak to delicate walnut, each evoking a different mood and requiring varying levels of upkeep.
Consider your willingness to commit to maintenance before making your choice. Oak will take a little more wear and tear, but a mahogany piece will leave you staring at every nick, polishing rag in hand, wondering where it all went wrong.
Choose a material that aligns with your lifestyle. If you’re the type who enjoys low-key dinners and the occasional family gathering, wood or something similarly hardy might be your best friend. However, if you picture your buffet surrounded by cocktail glasses at every turn, perhaps opt for something less fussy. Glass may sound tempting until you picture yourself wiping fingerprints off daily.
5. Price
When it comes to budgeting, think long-term. A quality buffet will likely outlast your dining table, seeing you through countless Thanksgiving, family reunions, and that odd cheese-tasting phase.
Cheap ones may seem appealing – they’re affordable, unassuming, perhaps charmingly so. However, the costlier models have a way of feeling like heirlooms in the making, waiting to be handed down with the same reverence one might reserve for a family recipe.
Choose wisely and within reason. A buffet can be a lasting investment, so think of it as one would think of a good pair of shoes. Cheap ones pinch at first and fall apart before you’ve had time to break them in, while a suitable pair molds to you, softens, and accompanies you for miles and miles. And much like shoes, a buffet has a way of telling your guests how you value your space. A quality buffet, well-chosen, whispers refinement without shouting, “Look at me!”
In the end, a buffet should be more than an impulse buy. Choose one that serves you faithfully without breaking the bank – one that will blend effortlessly into your life, perhaps even bearing witness to your finest moments.
Remember: if you can’t picture this buffet lasting through the decades or surviving an impromptu child’s birthday bash, it’s probably not the one.
Conclusion
Selecting the right buffet involves balancing style, space, functionality, material, and budget. A buffet is more than just a piece of furniture; it’s a kind of household confidante, standing by you quietly and dependably as you entertain, gather, and go about life.
So, approach this decision with intention, foresight, and a touch of humor. After all, a buffet might be the most practical family member you’ll ever have – one that holds your memories and good china without uttering a word of complaint.
