I don't know if there's a rule of thumb but I would love to have a sideboard as long as my 72" table, for storage and decorating! I don't think it would look odd at all.

I agree with everything Paulthomas posted.

We went through the same dilemna when we were looking for a sidebooard for our 72" custom made table. MY DH almost bought an MCM credenza which was 72". I didn't want to buy it for all the reasons paulthomas mentioned minus the chairs on the side. We decided on a sideboard that is higher and shorter than my table.

If you have the wall space, yes a large side board is lovely.
Our daughter has a Kendell (sp?) 18th century cherry dining room set and the sideboard is as long as the
big table.

The wall space mother has is about the length of the room. I think she said her dining room's length was 13'. But the width is 10' (I think). Mother lives in Washington and I am ordering this for her. She is battling breast cancer, and sometimes distracts herself in decorating her place which I guess is good.

Thanks for the help. I will ponder this a bit more before taking the plunge.

Mari

You have mail. :-)

Mari

So sorry about your mom - how fortunate she is to have a loving daughter

DR dimensions are similar to mine -

My table is 42"w x 62" L w/o any leaves & has 4 chairs around it - can fit 2 additional w/o leaves. I have a buffet 19.5" x 62"L -
It has ample room around to pull out chairs and elbow room at the table. Previous to current set, we had a set that seemed to overwhelm the room - I hated it & we under utilized it as result.

Other considerations
Windows, casement openings, doors, any built ins
How the DR is typically used - how many people sit at the table
Posted link below may help -

Here is a link that might be useful: DR

Sorry I didn't get back to read the posts, and thank you all for your contributions.

Jejvtr, she has not done much with her DR. She has no built-ins, and at the moment she is looking for something that she can use to store "good dishes" and have another piece of furniture in the DR. Last time I was at her place, she had a dining table and chairs and one potted plant! That is her least used room.

I am thinking "visually" a sideboard that is a foot shorter as others mentioned would probably be better. She is going back and forth on maple, mahogany and cherry, but definitely want an espresso finish.

Will let you all know what happens.

Does a buffet have to match the style and finish of the diningroom furniture?

I have an 80" long table and I'm considering an 82" sideboard against a long wall. The server that comes with the table collection is 63" long.