A credenza is a piece of furniture which is characterized by having a long flat top, and lots of storage space below. This design can be seen in offices, restaurants, and private homes, and the credenza has a number of potential applications. Many furniture stores carry this item or can order it by request, and people can also commission custom pieces from woodworkers and other furniture professions.
The origins of the word “credenza” are rather interesting, for those who enjoy exploring word origins. The term appears to come from the Latin word for “trust,” which may seem odd for a piece of furniture. Etymologists have suggested that it may be a reference to the fact that food was often displayed and served on sideboards historically so that guests could be assured that the intentions of the host were honorable. In some households, a servant would taste the food on the sideboard, demonstrating that it was not poisoned.
In an office setting, a credenza desk is usually used as a secondary workspace. No space needs to be left for someone to sit at the desk, so the area under the top can be filled with cabinets, drawers, and shelving for storage. The additional workspace can be extremely convenient for people who like to spread out papers and other materials while they work, and the credenza also creates an accessible storage area which can help to keep the workspace tidy.
Types of Credenzas
Credenzas are typically either used as dining room furniture or office furniture although they can also be used in other rooms. The following is a breakdown the different types of credenzas available for purchase:
· Knee Space Credenza: A knee space credenza can be used in several different ways depending on personal needs. The space provided in this type of credenza called the knee space allows the person sitting at the credenza a comfortable place for their legs along with easy access to the credenza. These types of credenzas can be found made out of wood or metal and typically range in price from $250 to $1300.
· Work Space Credenza: This type of credenza is similar to the knee space model in that they are both used as desks. Also known as a pedestal credenza, a work space credenza is typically used along with a knee space credenza to provide an extra work area. Often times work space credenzas are not as expensive as knee space units because they are usually bought to be used along side them. When purchasing a work space credenza you can expect to pay between $150 and $1500.
· Credenza with Hutch: Many credenzas come with a matching piece called a hutch that is either sold along with the credenza as a set or sold separately. A Hutch is a piece of furniture that sits on top of a credenza giving more storage options such as drawers. Credenzas with hutches are great options for home offices especially if space is a concern. The price range for hutch credenzas begins at $150 and can reach over $2,500.
· Serving Credenza: This type of credenza is also referred to as a buffet and was traditionally purchased to be used as a serving station for food. Although today many people purchase a credenza to finish out their dining room with out the intention of it being a functional piece of furniture other than for looks. Either way a credenza is a beautiful and stylish way to enhance the beauty of a dining room or kitchen. As with the other types of credenzas the price range for serving credenzas is wide starting at $150 and can extend over $5,000.
· Accent Credenza: An accent credenza is a smaller piece of furniture than the buffet style credenza which makes them unable to be used as serving pieces of furniture. They can however give you the finishing touch you have been looking for in any room of your home. Adding this type of credenza to your home décor will cost you anywhere between $300 and $1,500.