Vases? As long as cats, dogs, or kids won't pose a damage threat, I'd say put one vase or bowl in each of the squares.

I'm opposed to putting "stuff" anywhere to fill space....

If you don't know what to put there--just wait it out. When you find a really interesting piece of art, or pottery, or a special photo, etc etc...then you'll know there's a potential perfect place for it. It might look a little bare for awhile, but trust me you'll be glad you waited. Buying random crap just to fill the space will end up feeling/looking exactly like that.

Lean colorful, framed artwork in the nooks that have a solid back, then arrange a nice vignette in front of the art with bowls/vases/tchotchkes, but do so with restraint!

Dinnerware?

i agree with the bf about books, unless they're food related! how about a plant to introduce some texture/life? it also looks like a good place to put wine bottles/glasses if you're wine drinkers. maybe put one or two of these on a shelf for bottles? http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Dining/tabid/493/List/0/CategoryID/111/level/a/ProductID/4352/ProductName/Stackable-Wine-Rack--Black/Default.aspx

If you are calling it a sideboard than you should use it as one. Stack dishes, glasses, serving trays etc---of course in an ordered chaos kind of way

I know you didn't ask but i would better coordinate the table top to the wall by putting weightier objects on the top. Perhaps a stack of coffee table books on one side and consider lowering the artwork

Good luck

-Small 4 bottle wine rack, possibly with glass storage (upside down, you don't want dust in the glasses).
-Martini set.
-Glass carafe set with glasses on a dedicated tray. Vodka's nice because it's clear, don't get scotch or whiskey unless you'll drink it.
-Live bamboo sticks in a vase.
-Small indoor planter with simple green grass.
-If you can pull it off, a sunflower.

Dishes and Glassware?
Serving Platters, Bowls and Trays?
Bottles of Wine?

One more- Have a mirror cut to place on top of the sideboard. The reflection of those two lamps will anchor it even more than they are. It won't look barren even if it is.

Stacked linens (tablecloths, placemats) would add color and texture.

I think the lamps need to be moved closer together. They're too close to the ends.

As far as what to put in the shelves, I think platters, gravy boats, etc. are obvious choices for a dining room.

You could always get baskets to fit the shelves and paint them the same color as the shelf so they blend in. That way you could have added storage and not change the look of the piece.

This piece has so much display space that it can easily become cluttered or overloaded. Also, the shelves with the backing are quite tall, so you need items with some height to fill those. Three suggestions:

1) Books are always a good choice.

2) A collection -- this is also an easy way to maintain some unity and order. Colorful enamel fondue sets? Chocolate molds? Vintage cameras? It doesn't have to be food related. If you were so inclined, you could even use this to display a collection of vintage straw hats --- larger dimensional objects can always be hung on the back of the shelves. Whatever floats your boat.

3) Artwork. This would be great with one large, graphic print in each of the 4 backed shelves. Again, I see this as a collection, so ideally they would be related in some way. Prop something behind the art so it is not leaning against the shelf back and sits closer to the front. You could even use the vertical format frames now on your wall (though I would not go with black frames as they'll disappear against the dark wood). If you do this, replace the art collection on the wall with a single large-scale object... a mirror, large piece of art, hanging textile, etc...

You should put lively plants in the big spaces, and store your wine in the narrower horizontal spaces. And maybe a nice, vintage globe. Gorgeous!

If you could find some boxes or drawers that fit into some of the spaces, those would be ideal to store table linens, extra coasters, or heck anything you need storage space for that would make sense to have in this area.

If you have pieces that you use to decorate the table (candle sticks, serving pieces, vases, chargers, etc) the shelves are a perfect place to create display vignettes of utilitarian pieces.

May I also suggest a large mirror over the sideboard and standing the photographs on the on the sideboards overlapping the mirror and each other to create more depth.

I would display china in those compartments. Neatly stacked serving ware. Perhaps the larger serving dishes that aren't for every day use?

Shake it up! It's dying for the unexpected, and color.

First, I would get a simple mirror that normally goes on the back of your closet door, preferably without a frame. Get one as long as the sideboard, or close to the length as possible. I would hang it low, inches above the top. Then start to get creative with how you hang the artwork above the mirror: Think of them closer, maybe in a row, etc. I bet if they are hung with just a breath of a few inches between them, in the middle, they'd be quite stunning.

Then, get the lamps closer in, so the mirror then reflects the base of the lamps. It's a dining room, so it's begging for some pizazz and drama! There's a ton of great bar sets out there, and a deep maroon, green, or even stark black would be stunning in front of the mirror. Add a couple books about cocktails (there's a ton of good looking spines out there!) and the top is done.

Now, onto the space below. I love the idea of some platters, but think of them in a slightly different way. How about several inexpensive IKEA or Target platters, on their side, all lined up in one? Or simple stacking five of them on top of each other.

Now, stick with me on this: Think about how retailers coax you into purchasing their placesettings, and mimic that in a couple spaces. Beautiful colors, cool patters, etc. You clearly like the formality in your space, this could be quirky enough, while still offering the order you want.

Blown glass pieces from the 60's and 70's are everywhere, and not expensive. They are a great way to throw color into a space, and I could see a variance in the spaces with them.

I hope you find the right solution!

You're right, abc123. There's something perverse about buying a piece of storage furniture and then asking for ideas of what to store in there. It's like buying a doghouse when you don't own a dog.

That said, if it were my room, I'd store table linens in it, folded and stacked neatly or folded/rolled into containers of some sort. The organic folds of the cloth will soften the hard, stark lines of the area.

I'd also ditch that bowl and replace it with a piece of art deco statuary - the vignette needs something sinuous and asymetrical as a focal point.

I think the problem with some of the more general suggestions (dishware, glasses, gravy boats) are that those squares are fairly large (18"x18").

I get your dilemma. I like the idea of keeping it simple. Some ideas: you could have some sleek modern pitchers instead of vases. Or perhaps if you do dishes, you could start them on a block stained dark espresso so they almost float in the squares - that way they still fill the space?

I read a few comments and I agree with the following as well:
-Lower your artwork! Most people hang their art waaay too high. It's difficult to tell from the photo but your lowest piece of artwork or frame can be roughly 6-8 inches above the top surface of the table. Same goes for the dining room chandelier--lower that too if you have one. OR place a mirror in the middle and arrange artwork on either side.
--Do not put those 2 huge lamps on the sideboard together. Maybe 1 lamp on one end and a nice tray with glassware and bottles of spirits on top.
---A plant would look nice on top at either end as well.
----Candlesticks of varying heights.
-----Serving pieces, glassware

Hope that helps!

Some more ideas:

- Murano glass/art glass
- Collections of any kind
- Framed photos/art
- A basket/tray with neatly folded napkins in it
- A bar set (carafe & glasses)
- Liquors/wines/bottles of sparkling mineral water
- Jarred goods (nice glass jars of olives, tapenade, pimento, artichoke hearts, preserves, etc.)
- Potted plants

The pictures you already have are too high, and there's too much space in between them. The arrangement makes the space feel even more empty. Lower them and group them closer to create an area of denseness. Or, if you don't mind relocating the lamps, partimedesign's suggestion is a good one. Then follow abc123's advice and just wait it out until you find things you like that happen to fit in the sideboard rather than buying things just to try to fill the sideboard. Been there, done that, and I can say that it will likely result in dissatisfaction and wasted money. If you feel you must fill it now, use things you already have to the extent possible.

I agree with burnttoast - one lamp on the side with a nice tray of glassware/spirits on top.

Wait until you find things during your normal life to fill the shelves. I try to pick something up whenever I'm on vacation. Or when something catches my eye at a flea market.

agree with many of the comments: winerack/barware always look nice and free up storage elsewhere. Books are fine too, as long as they look nice.

agree also that you can get vases/busts/decorator items inexpensively at thrift stores and the like. I'd recommend that you write down the dimensions of the cubbies and keep them in your wallet so if you see something you like, you'll know it fits. I frequently get Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn and other stuff (sometimes chipped, sometimes not) for a few dollars at local thrift stores.

I agree with the poster about adding a mirror. That said, if you keep the artwork over the sideboard, bring it down--a lot. The bottom of the lower pictures should be about 6 inches above the furniture (the piece they are relating to). Right now there's too much negative space between the pictures and the sideboard and it's throwing me off. I'd move the bowl down into one of the cubbies (looks to be the perfect size) and put something more substantial on top. A group of some sort (chunky candlesticks?) or maybe some bar ware?

For the cubbies, I'd do a variety of single items (the bowl, a vase) and perhaps some stacked dishes and/or linens.

Why do the same old hackneyed books, wine or bowls. Find a toy store and buy a number of items you love and line up a little collection. Something out of the ordinary.

It's all so subjective, but it should reflect what you like. I just think the aforementioned items are tired and boring.