Furniture items can do more than just occupy space or beautify your home. They can elevate spaces, provide storage solutions, enhance your style, and show off your prized possessions. A credenza is one such piece of furniture.
In this article, I’ll tell you all you need to know about credenzas. I’ll explain what a credenza is, highlight its history, describe what it looks like, and highlight its use cases.
What is a Credenza?
A credenza is a furniture piece that is low-standing, long, and has a flat top surface. This may seem like the description for hundreds of other furniture pieces, but credenzas feature cabinets, drawers, and other compartments for practical storage.
The design is usually sleek and horizontal, perfect for placing against walls or behind sofas. You can find them in dining rooms, living rooms, and even offices.
Credenzas are used to store items like remote controls, DVDs, books, linens, blankets, files, and more, depending on where they are used.
What a Credenza Looks Like
Credenzas have not always looked like they do now. Initially, the design was a simple table covered with a cloth. This was perfect for inspecting and tasting food.
With time, though, the threat of being poisoned reduced, and more elaborate dining practices evolved. The design of the credenza became more intricate and versatile. It got a makeover and featured columns and pilaster designs.
Nowadays, a credenza looks like a sideboard, which often leads to confusion between the two items. A credenza is characterized by:
- A low-profile, rectangular shape with very short or no legs, usually made from wood.
- A flat surface for serving or displaying items, usually made from marble.
- Cabinets, drawers, or shelves for storage.
- Ornate details like columns, pilasters, or carvings.
Despite their similarities with other furniture pieces, credenzas have distinct characteristics.
What a Credenza Isn’t
Credenzas are often confused with other furniture pieces. Some call credenzas “sideboards,” while others use the term “buffet.” While these terms have become largely interchangeable, they don’t all mean the same thing.
A buffet has longer legs and is used for serving and storing food and dinnerware. While a credenza can also do this, it is more focused on displaying fine china, silverware, and other valuables. Also, unlike buffets, credenzas typically have more elegant designs and are often used in formal dining settings.
Sideboards are also often mistaken for credenzas, but they’re not the same. A sideboard tends to have medium-length legs, focusing on storage for linens, glasses, and other dining essentials.
Put simply:
- Credenzas focus on displaying.
- Buffets are mainly for serving.
- Sideboards prioritize storage.
What’s a Credenza Used For?
Credenzas are versatile furniture pieces. They serve other purposes beyond their traditional role of food-tasting.
Dining Display
Credenzas were initially designed for use in the dining room.
- They can be used to hold food items and beverages.
- Their ornate details make them perfect for showing off silverware, linens, serving plates, and other decorative items.
- Credenzas can keep serving dishes, glasses, utensils, and other kitchen décor.
Beyond these, you can drape a tablecloth over the spacious surface and repurpose it as a practical buffet table for parties. Storing items in credenzas will save you time going back and forth to the kitchen and keep items out of sight.
Storage and Organization
Credenzas come in compact and large sizes and are perfect for achieving an organized, clutter-free aesthetic.
They have ample storage space for dinnerware, books, magazines, and more. You can even get creative and use your credenza as a functional TV stand or media console; the compartments can hide electronics, DVDs, or tangled cords and cables.
They provide useful storage in the bedroom, living room, home office, or anywhere else. A long credenza can even divide up a large or multi-use space, such as a studio apartment.
| Quick Tip: Credenzas are not the only storage furniture you need in your space. Find out more ideas in our article: Types of Storage Furniture to Consider for Your Home. |
Office Display
Credenzas can serve as display units or additional work surfaces in offices. Feeling overwhelmed with books and paperwork? Get a credenza. They can hold files, documents, and other office supplies. You can even place your printer or show off your awards, medals, and other items on top.
Positioning a credenza close to your office desk will give you easy access to more items, extra workspace, and an efficient file organization system. Some credenzas even have locking file cabinets that let you hide confidential paperwork from prying eyes.
Entryway
Credenzas can function as entryway or foyer storage units. Having a credenza in your entryway is a great way to create a lasting first impression on guests.
You can place a fancy tray on the surface to hold keys, mail, gloves, and other essentials, while the cabinet can store shoes, hats, bags, and other accessories. You can even add a personal touch by displaying family photos, decorations, or flowers on top.
The Story Behind Credenzas
Interestingly, credenzas weren’t always versatile storage units. Credenzas first burst into the furniture scene in the 14th century. Historically, they were kept in the kitchen or dining area to store and display food and expensive chinaware.
The word ‘credenza’ is coined from the Latin word “credere,” which means “to believe” or “trust”. Before serving food or drinks to guests, servants had to taste them to prevent poisoning or foodborne illness from affecting the upper class.
This food testing practice was known as “credenza.” Over time, the room where the food testing was carried out started to be called a “credenza.” Eventually, “credenza” began to refer to the table-like furniture piece that carried food to the credenza room.
How to Choose a Credenza
- Think about your intended use case—storage, display, or shelving.
- Consider the size of your space. Measure the area where you want to place the credenza to be sure it fits.
- Decide on a style and shape that fits or complements your space’s aesthetics.
- Establish a budget and set a price range to help narrow your credenza options.
- Identify extra features you need, like drawers, shelves, electrical outlets, and more.
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