Without seeing a picture of what is looks like now ('old' is a very general term) it is hard to offer suggestions on what you might do to improve its appearance.
If it is oak, cherry, etc. that has never been painted and is in good shape - lucky you. Cover scratches and nourish with a mix of olive oil and white vinegar. Or use stripper to remove old varnish, etc. from the top, sand, wipe down with paint thinner, and restain or apply a dark stain for a different look. Apply a non-yellowing poly or an oil,
I've turned them into behind the sofa tables, and used the cupboard part for books, DVDs . I turned one into a media cabinet for a girl friend, I made it country by making the top a blond pine finish, then i did the came color on large knobs for the cabinet doors, then I painted the rest a Wedgewood blue. I turned one of the 3 cabinet sections into a open door with a shelf in the middle to hold her DVD and VCR players. The other 2 sections were used to store DVDs and VCR tapes.
I tried giving it to a donation center and they will not take any cherry tables because they have so many. Then I thought if I could update it, maybe paint parts but ...
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Sideboard?
Without seeing a picture of what is looks like now ('old' is a very general term) it is hard to offer suggestions on what you might do to improve its appearance.
Please post a picture.
If it is oak, cherry, etc. that has never been painted and is in good shape - lucky you. Cover scratches and nourish with a mix of olive oil and white vinegar. Or use stripper to remove old varnish, etc. from the top, sand, wipe down with paint thinner, and restain or apply a dark stain for a different look. Apply a non-yellowing poly or an oil,
I've turned them into behind the sofa tables, and used the cupboard part for books, DVDs . I turned one into a media cabinet for a girl friend, I made it country by making the top a blond pine finish, then i did the came color on large knobs for the cabinet doors, then I painted the rest a Wedgewood blue. I turned one of the 3 cabinet sections into a open door with a shelf in the middle to hold her DVD and VCR players. The other 2 sections were used to store DVDs and VCR tapes.
If I could find one at a real good price, this is what I'd do!!
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/bathroom/vanities/from-sideboard-buffet-to-master-bathroom-vanity-1056810
From sideboard buffet to Master bathroom vanity
there are lots of sideboard makeover projects here https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=sideboard