In order to end up with the buffet best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of buffets are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements.
Research the market: Buffet essentials
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the buffet market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Description: A buffet is a long, narrow storage cupboard. Typically waist high, a buffet features cabinets, shallow drawers and a flat top. The cabinets and drawers are offered in many arrangements, with some buffets featuring cabinetry on each end and drawers in the middle, while others have cabinets on the bottom and drawers on the top. Some buffets may have only cabinetry, while others may feature only drawers.
History: The buffet made its first appearance in the 1700s but gained popularity in the 1800s as homeowners became more prosperous and homes grew to include a room dedicated exclusively to dining. Early buffets were often ornately carved and inlaid with veneers as a sign of wealth, although today's buffets accommodate every decorating style and budget.
Styles: From simple to ornate, antique to contemporary, there are many choices available. Different types of wood like oak, pine, walnut, cherry or mahogany, and paint finishes and embellishments can create very different looks on buffets that are otherwise similar in function.
Paneled doors, ornamental trim, carved moldings, decorative hardware, veneers and inlays add to the buffet's design. A veneer is a thin layer of wood glued to a backing, which is often a less decorative but more sturdy wood. The effect is that the buffet appears to have been constructed entirely of the beautifully grained or patterned veneer. An inlay is when a pattern on the wood is cut away then filled in with a contrasting material such as veneer.
Some buffets are low to the ground like a dresser, while others feature an elevated chest on elegant legs. Longer buffets may have four legs across the front and two in the back, a traditional design. The buffet top can be a contrasting material such as granite, marble, glass, slate or tile. Some buffets have a mirror or a splashboard, a long narrow board that extends around the sides.
Buffets also vary widely in size, so choose according to your storage needs as well as the space you have to fill.
Features: Buffets may come with different design features including wine racks, cupboard space, drawers, shelves, ornamental features and so on. Pay attention to what features might be of most use to you, or which ones would look the most attractive in your living space. A hutch provides additional display or storage space in the form of shelves on top of the buffet, and may be an optional accessory when buying new. Consider what you might use the hutch for in order to maximize the use of your space. This can be a convenient and attractive way to store or display your china or collectibles.
Cost: Buying used items and antiques is always a possibility when considering furniture purchases. Do some comparison shopping to see how new and used prices compare and what you can expect to get for the same amount of money. You may discover a great deal on an antique, or alternatively find that there is a sale on that allows you to buy just the buffet you were looking for new at a great price.
Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a buffet. For example, will you use it only for your good china or will it be used to store your everyday crockery, napkins and cutlery?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| Have I used a buffet before? |
| | If you have used a buffet, work out what you did or didn't like about the buffet. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient. |
| What will I use a buffet for? |
| | A buffet can fulfill a variety of purposes. Some possibilities include additional counter space or extra area for food preparation or service. Perhaps you would like a buffet to display your china or collectibles or maybe to provide storage for serving-ware, linens, or other miscellaneous items. |
| How much space do I have? |
| | A buffet is intended to help you make the best use of your space, and must be chosen accordingly. Choose a piece that does not overwhelm its surroundings, but still offers as much storage or display space as you desire. |
| What style of buffet do I like? |
| | Buffets are available in a wide variety of materials and designs. Are you trying to match other furniture? Think about your decorating style. You may prefer wood, or glass and metal. From traditional themes to more contemporary styles, choose a buffet that suits your décor and personal taste. |
| How much do I want to spend? |
| | Deciding ahead of time what you can afford will help narrow down your choices and make it easier to compare buffets in a specific price range. |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of buffets and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
Video Links
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