The Best Credenzas

Buying Guide for Credenzas

Why buy a credenza?

Got an empty floor space or a blank wall you’re dying to fill with a bold, unique statement piece? Or maybe your dining room demands a large buffet table for all your fabulous parties (and hide all your party goods when not in use)? A credenza can serve as an interesting accent piece, sturdy TV stand, dining room sideboard, or storage for anything you want to keep safe and in excellent condition, like formal dinnerware and seasonal décor.

What should you know before buying a credenza?

• Height: Depending on where and how you want to use your credenza, think about how tall it should be to accommodate your space. Your credenza should stand as tall as a tabletop or countertop for an effective buffet table. As a TV stand, look for a lower-sitting credenza that leaves enough space above it for a TV, whether mounted or standing.
• Length: The length of your new credenza should fit its purpose—if you live in a small space and need a side table for décor and knickknacks, a long, buffet-style credenza is overkill. You would benefit from a longer, more accommodating tabletop if you’re in a large space and always hosting dinners or want to display lots of family photos and cherished valuables.
• Storage: Credenzas offer versatile storage options, from solid wood doors and drawers that keep your things hidden from sight, perfect for when guests are over, to see-through glass or screen doors for a cool, unique peek-a-boo experience. If your primary purpose is storage, go for something with drawers and shelves. Just for looks? A cool glass-accented cabinet with shelves will show your unique collectibles and décor.

What materials are used in a good credenza?

Today, you can purchase a gorgeous, quality credenza made with less expensive, more progressive materials, like engineered wood, for half the price of an authentic wood model. Spending less on furniture, assuming it’s strong and sturdy like these top-five credenzas, means more money toward pieces that complement it (like fun trinkets and books for your new cabinet). Also, keep an eye out for sturdy legs, whether wood or metal, and thick, adjustable shelves for sufficient, customizable storage.

Our Picks for the Best Credenzas

Pros: A perfectly imperfect, rustic credenza strong enough to hold a 70-inch TV. The Santa Fe model from Martin Svensson Home is a gorgeous blend of antique and country-chic with a pair of mesh-accented barn doors that slide side-to-side to reveal thick, strong wood shelves, ideal for stacking dishes or displaying fragile knickknacks. Assembly is lighting fast with no tools required—you could be done in as little as 20 minutes. The Santa Fe is available in eight gorgeous pine finishes, including espresso, honey tobacco, and antique white, so you’re bound to find a model that complements your unique style.

Cons: This credenza isn’t fastened by screws or bolts, so if you need to relocate it after assembly, handle it with care to not disturb its joinery.

Bottom Line: Get high class at a middle-of-the-road price. Pick the perfect finish to set off your space, and enjoy binging your favorite shows in front of your new TV stand or fill with your favorite keepsakes and show it off to guests.

 

Pros: Another inspired Martin Svensson piece, the Marche 63-inch, antique-inspired credenza is a glass-accented, engineered-wood stand designed to hold the weight of a 65-inch TV and all of its components, including game consoles and DVD players, and it even comes with cable cutouts. But that doesn’t mean you’re limited to a single use—the Marche is also a slightly distressed, intricately cast statement piece for any room in your home, and it comes in silver, white, and deep blue. It features two large, trellis-embellished cabinet doors with tempered glass for a crystal-clear view of whatever’s inside, from books and trinkets to valuable antiques.

Cons: Grab a friend or family member to help with assembly. This credenza is heavy-duty, and its parts can be awkward to handle alone.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a vital, sturdy, antique-inspired piece that charmingly displays your unique décor (or safely holds your large TV), you won’t be disappointed with this exquisite credenza.

 

Pros: Take your chic, retro motif to the next level with this Nathan James credenza, the Enloe, a space-saving but functional ode to midcentury-modern sophistication. Its rich, two-tone frame is constructed from real wood and quality engineered wood with gold-painted metal accents, including sturdy, modern legs that keep it from easily tipping. The Enloe is small enough to use as a hallway cabinet, entryway storage, or accent cabinet in any bedroom—it’s compact and free-standing for easy maneuvering. Fill its adjustable shelves with nursery necessities and toys, or remove them to add extra cupboard space for crafting supplies and equipment.

Cons: Unpacking your credenza, you may notice a slight chemical smell from any glues or flame-retardants used in manufacturing. It should disappear within a couple of days.

Bottom Line: Add extra interest and customizable storage to your midcentury-modern vibe with the Enloe. You’re getting quality at a fair price, especially for a piece that features real wood and sturdy metal.

 

Pros: Love the comforting, classic feel of dark wood? The Viabella rich, cherry-finished credenza from Sauder is traditional at heart and a perfect example of a robust, polished piece of furniture. Like tons of contemporary furnishings, this heavy-duty storage cabinet is quality made with durable engineered wood frame and shelves for stacking and storing to your heart’s desire, whether fancy platters and plates or plastic goods for your next impromptu gathering. Sauder also offers a unique Viabella credenza set. It includes a classy lateral file cabinet with storage cubbies at a slightly higher cost —both pieces would be a warm, rich addition to any office space.

Cons: The doors may not align.

Bottom Line: You don’t have to sacrifice sophistication for storage with this cherry-finished Viabella credenza. It’s a solid but simplistic homage to classic furniture and your refined taste.

 

Pros: Sauder does it again with this intricate twin of the classic Viabella. It’s got all the elegant perks of its counterpart, plus an incredibly detailed, boho-inspired pattern printed across its large cabinet doors, adorned with vintage-inspired metal tabs for opening and closing. Its unique line-and-dot design, accentuated with cream-colored highlights and gray shading, instantly adds dimension and interest to the cabinet and whatever room it’s gracing. The addition of colors and patterns means you have even more options in what you can stylishly display without clashing its traditional cherry finish with your eccentric, earthy vibes.

Cons: Like the classic model above, this credenza involves lots of assembly and should be built wherever you plan to keep it.

Bottom Line: If the original Viabella was too traditional for your more eclectic personality, go for this more interesting, intricate cabinet. It adds a pop of color and dimension that will attract many compliments.

Final Thoughts

Investing in any of these popular, top-rated credenzas that can act as a TV stand, cabinet, buffet, or sideboard is a safe, sturdy bet, whether you’re more excited about the variety of storage options or how much it’s going to inspire and refine your home.