20 cm Deep Sideboard — Which Alcove Suits It & What Fits Inside?

A sideboard with a depth of 20 cm is an extremely slim unit primarily used in narrow hallways or small bathrooms as storage for shallow items such as paperbacks, toiletries, or shoes placed vertically.

When space in a hallway, behind an internal door, or in a cloakroom is severely limited, standard furniture is out of the question. A sideboard with an external depth of merely 20 cm acts like an architectural corset for the room: it keeps clutter at bay without restricting essential walking space. However, because these dimensions deviate significantly from the standard, planning requires precise knowledge of what fits inside such a piece of furniture and how it must be securely mounted.

What fits into a sideboard with a depth of 20 cm?

When planning storage space, distinguishing between external dimensions and internal dimensions is crucial. A furniture carcass made from chipboard or MDF typically has a material thickness of 16 mm or 18 mm. If you subtract the front door and a grooved back panel, only about 16.5 cm to 17.5 cm of usable internal depth remains from the 20 cm external depth.

The following items can be stored at this depth without issue:

• Paperbacks and DVDs: Standard paperbacks require around 13 cm to 15 cm of depth.
• Toiletries and bathroom items: Shampoo bottles, creams, shaving foam, and stacked toilet rolls fit exactly.
• Shoes (with limitations): Placed horizontally, shoes from size 30 upwards will no longer fit. Here, the unit must be fitted with tilting mechanisms (shoe tipper fittings) where shoes hang diagonally downwards.
• Keys, post, and shallow tools: Ideal for the entryway.

These units are not suitable for lever arch files (which require approx. 32 cm), folded jumpers, or large bath towels.

Space Solutions: Where Extremely Narrow Units Are Used

The installation location often dictates the material and the exact specification of the furniture fittings used.

The Narrow Hallway

In period properties or narrow terraced houses, the hallway is often barely wider than one metre. Here, a 20 cm deep sideboard serves as a drop-off surface for keys and post, while the interior functions as a shoe cabinet. Thanks to the shallow depth, the escape route remains clear and the front door can open fully.

The Bathroom and Cloakroom

In the bathroom, every centimetre counts. A bathroom cabinet depth 20 cm is outstanding for making use of the space above a washing machine or beside the basin. If towels are rolled instead of folded, they can also be accommodated in these slim cabinets. In the bathroom, ensure surfaces are melamine-coated to repel moisture.

Alternatives: The Right Depth for Every Purpose

If 20 cm becomes too tight for the intended contents or the room offers slightly more space, it is worth looking at alternative dimensions within the chests of drawers & sideboards category.

• Even slimmer: For pure cosmetic storage in tiny alcoves, a bathroom cabinet depth 15 cm is often sufficient.
• Slightly more volume: If small towels need to be folded normally or larger bottles stored, a bathroom cabinet depth 25 cm is the next step up.
• The dimension for files and clothing: As soon as T-shirts, trousers, or standard lever arch files need to be stored, a chest of drawers depth 30 cm or a chest of drawers depth 35 cm is strictly required.
• Standard living space: In the living or dining room for crockery, board games, or as TV furniture, one typically relies on a chest of drawers depth 40 cm or a dedicated sideboard for televisions, as these also accommodate cables and deeper electrical equipment.

Assembly and Installation: Why Wall Fixing Is Mandatory

Assembling such a narrow piece of furniture differs in one essential way from deep chests of drawers: structural stability. A sideboard with a depth of 20 cm and a height of, for example, 80 cm has a very high centre of gravity, especially when the upper compartments are loaded.

The moment a door or flap is opened, the weight shifts forward. Without mechanical restraint, the cabinet will inevitably tip over. An anti-tip fixing is not merely a recommendation here, but a technical necessity.

Required Tools for Safe Installation

• Cordless screwdriver for carcass assembly
• Hammer drill or percussion drill for wall fixings
• Spirit level and folding rule
• Suitable wall plugs (e.g. 8 mm universal plugs for masonry or special cavity wall anchors for plasterboard)
• Sufficiently long chipboard screws (e.g. 5 x 60 mm)

Steps for Wall Mounting

1. Assemble the carcass according to instructions, but leave openings in the back panel (if nailed) at the points where the mounting brackets will be attached.
2. Place the unit in the desired position and align it precisely using the spirit level.
3. Mark the drill holes on the wall through the metal brackets.
4. Move the unit aside, drill the holes, and insert the wall plugs flush with the wall.
5. Reposition the sideboard and screw it firmly to the wall. Only then fit the internal shelves and doors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use a 20 cm deep sideboard free-standing?

No. Due to the shallow depth in relation to height, there is an acute risk of tipping as soon as doors are opened or weight is placed on the front edge. Screwing the unit securely to the wall is strictly necessary.

Do men's shoes fit in a 20 cm deep cabinet?

Placed horizontally, adult shoes do not fit into a 20 cm deep unit. Shoes can only be accommodated if the sideboard is fitted with specialised pull-down tilting compartments where the shoes sit diagonally downwards.

How much internal dimension remains with a 20 cm external depth?

That depends on the material thickness. With standard chipboard of 16 mm thickness for the front and a 3 mm thick back panel, around 16.5 cm to 17.5 cm of usable depth remains inside for shelves.

Is this depth suitable for lever arch files?

No. A standard wide lever arch file requires an internal depth of at least 29 cm. For lever arch files, the furniture piece must feature an external depth of at least 32 cm to 35 cm.