Console table wall decor

Console Table Decor: My 10 Favorite Styling Ideas!

Updated: Dec 21, 2022 by Kris Jarrett

Ready for some inspiring console table decor ideas? I share my ten favorite ideas for adding style to any console table, sideboard, or buffet!

One of the many house projects that I’m juggling right now is decorating our dining room. I finally ordered some dining room side chairs that arrive this week (fingers crossed that they’re winners) and then went to work on what to put on the walls and the top of our sideboard. The only thing that I have there so far is {this blue gourd lamp} that I ordered on sale a few weeks back (and love!). I’ve also ordered a large canvas art print that should be here soon – this is the paper template that I taped up to make sure the size I was looking at would work:

Sources: Sideboard | Blue gourd lamp | Rug

Now I’ve moved on to finding a few more decorative pieces to add to the top of our sideboard. I’ve had several requests for a console table decorating post in the past so thought that while I have a bunch of ideas fresh in my head, I’d share my favorite sideboard and console table decor ideas with you! They’re all ideas that should work for you whether you’re decorating a console table, buffet, sideboard, entryway table, or any other similar piece.

Before we jump in, as an FYI the best images I could find to give you a visual of several of my console table decor ideas come from higher end retailers (who have great stylists!) so the consoles themselves and the decor on them is often pricey. But know as you read this post that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to have a beautifully decorated console table – some of my favorite decor pieces have come from HomeGoods and Amazon. Every one of these ideas that I share can be done beautifully while sticking to a budget! And with that, let’s get to it… (post includes affiliate links; full disclosure statement available {here})

1.

Give Greenery a Spot to Shine

I love the look of large scale greenery on one side of a console table or sideboard. It adds a punch of color and the organic shape of greenery is a nice contrast to the straight lined silhouette of most consoles. A few examples include these leafy branches in a flare neck glass vase that make a statement on this rattan console:

Sources: Console with caning | Rattan side chair

and these more wispy branches in a footed glass vase on this pretty linen console table:

Sources: Wallpaper | Linen console | Rattan stools | Bamboo mirror | Brass & glass table lamp

It’s definitely a win when you have trees or bushes in your yard to clip fresh greenery from but faux branches can work well too. For example, {these faux greenery branches} that I have in a low vase on our kitchen island have that same billowy, organic feel:

Find more of what I think are the best artificial flowers & branches {here} where I share the ones that I have and love.

2. Slide Seating Underneath

For open console tables, I love the look of a pair of stools or ottomans tucked underneath and it can be a really practical solution too! In our previous home, I would pull out one of {these cube ottomans} from under our console to take my shoes on or off before heading out the door:

Similarly, a pair of {these rattan stools} is tucked under a console that does double duty as a bedroom nightstand:

Sources: Indigo console table | Rattan stools | Braided rug |

and these cute skirted stools were used in the same way too:

Sources: Bed | Palm wallpaper | Console table | Rattan mirror | Table lamp

I also love the look of a pair of X-base stools tucked under a console table.

3. Reflect Light With a Large Mirror

Large mirrors can make a room feel bigger and brighter by reflecting sunlight into the room and are a great choice for hanging above a console. Both rectangular mirrors like {this bone inlay mirror}:

Sources: Paperweave wallpaper | Console table | Bone inlay mirror

and circular mirrors like {this large woven mirror} can work:

Sources: Patterned grasscloth wallpaper | Console table | Round woven mirror | Woven armchair | Blue pillow

But I personally prefer choosing a mirror in a shape that contrasts that of the console: a round mirror above a rectangular console or a rectangular mirror above a curved edge console.

4. Layer in Light

Using lighting on or above a console or sideboard is a great way to layer light in a room. While I have a single lamp on my console and sideboard, a pair of lamps is also a beautiful look (especially if you’re a lover of symmetry)! For example, {this pair of white temple jar lamps} is stunning on top of this high-end raffia console table with a grid of four framed art prints and a few accessories:

Sources: Console table | White lamps | Art prints

And have you ever thought of layering in light with wall sconces above a console? A pair of sconces such as {these brass wall sconces} is perfect for framing a piece of art or a mirror over a console:

Sources: Console | Wall sconces | Mirror | Glass vase | Rug

5.

Stack Up Some Books

You might have noticed in several of the images I’ve already shown that stacked books are commonly used for console table decor. Consoles are a great place to display special books you might have about your favorite interests, vacation destinations, or family photo books. And they can also serve a purpose of raising up decorative pieces resting on top of them to a height that’s more pleasing to the eye, as was done with the candle holders elevated by two books on this beautiful console:

You can also use books to add more color or pattern to a console table by adding a simple fabric book cover to them such as these that I used on the entryway chest in our previous home one spring:

It’s really simple to do (no sewing required) – you can find the step by step of how to make fabric book covers {here}.

6.

Let Art Take Center Stage

Do you have one or more art pieces that you’d like to display in your home? Let art take center stage over your console! You can use a single large statement-making art piece such as {this moody cloud art} that’s hung over a white oak sideboard:

Tip! When hanging a single piece of art over a console table or sideboard, art that’s between ⅔ and ¾ the width of the furniture piece below it is a good size to shoot for.

Another option (especially when you have a long console) is to layer several pieces of art over one another. I absolutely love how Studio McGee hung {this large piece of art} on the wall and then layered {this small art piece} and {this medium size art piece} over it:

Sources: Oak sideboard | Fluted marble bowl | Gray stoneware vase | Channel ottoman

If you like a more coastal vibe, matted prints in {these layered chunky oak frames} might be more up your alley. Again, the large print is mounted to the wall and smaller print is layered over it:

Sources: Black console table | Oak frames | Frosted glass vases

Other options are to hang several identically sized framed prints in a grid or create an eclectic gallery wall. My favorite online shops for reasonably priced art prints are Minted, Artfully Walls, Etsy, and Juniper Print Shop which is a new favorite. I just ordered {this Montauk canvas print} from their shop to go over the long sideboard in our family room:

7. Add Storage With Baskets

Want hidden storage for shoes by your front door or for stashing reusable bags that you can grab as you head to the grocery store? Adding decorative baskets such as {this pair of woven baskets} to open consoles can give you exactly that:

Sources: Black console table | Console baskets

If the baskets look familiar, it’s because they’re the same ones that I’ve used for storage at the base of this shallow closet:

Another beautiful example is the trio of round woven baskets on the bottom shelf of this gorgeous console:

Sources: Oak console table | Arched mirror | Round table lamp | Grid patterned box | Round seagrass baskets

8.

Decorate With Bowls & Boxes

Two of the console table decor pieces that I use time and time again are decorative bowls & boxes. For example I used {this shallow wood bowl} filled with a strand of glass beads similar to {these} on the shelf of our entryway console:

And during the holidays, I’ve added a large decorative wood bowl filled with ornaments & jingle bells to the top of my console:

Decorative boxes on a console table can be both pretty and practical – you can use them to stash anything with style including extra keys, stamps, coasters, etc. They’re also useful for elevating the height of other decor pieces to create a more aesthetically pleasing design:

Sources: Horseshoe console table | Decorative box

These are a few decorative bowls & boxes I rounded up that would work beautifully as console table decor:

9. Add A Bit of Quirk

As with every space you decorate, it’s fun to add a piece with a bit of quirk that reflects your unique interests or personality. I’ve long had a love for small brass animals so it’s no surprise that I think {this brass snail} is the cutest thing ever – he still makes me smile when I walk by him hanging out on my console:

10. Doll It Up When You Entertain

One of the things I love most about console table and sideboards is that they are super functional pieces for entertaining. You can use them like a bar cart to hold and serve drinks or, if you have a long console, you can set up a gorgeous buffet. The way they set up this champagne and dessert station is stunning:

Sources: Marble top console table | Antiqued glass mirror | Seagrass baskets

I hope these console table decor ideas sparked an idea of what you could do to decorate your own console or sideboard! I’ll be sharing over on Instagram Stories {here} as my new chairs, art, and decor pieces arrive and will let you know whether or not they’re winners! Next week I’ll be back to share more updates on other rooms in our home including some major progress on the “circus room” ceiling and family room fireplace. In the meantime, be sure to check out my Shop page {here} as I’ve added a lot of new sale finds for Labor Day sales that started early and will keep adding more as we head into the holiday weekend!

XO,

Categories: Decorating Tips

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Where to place the console table?

Console tables are designed to be placed in places where a larger piece of furniture would look too bulky. They come in a wide variety of styles, sizes, materials, and can be both purely decorative and quite functional. But where exactly can such a table be placed? We have prepared several options for their use.

Hallway and hallway

The most common use is in hallways and hallways. Console tables are the most functional furniture for a small and narrow hallway. In a long hallway, a console table can provide a visual break. nine0003

Choose a console with drawers where you can store useful items, correspondence, as well as stationery and keys. Consider hanging a mirror above your console table to make your entryway appear wider and brighter.

Living room

In the living room, console tables are often used to fill the space behind the sofa and visually divide a large open room into zones (for example, living room and dining room). The table can be placed in the gap between the wall and the sofa, or if the sofa is in an open area, a table can be placed behind it to visually break up the room or hide the back of the sofa. nine0003

Alternatively, a console table can be placed against the living room wall to visually fill the space without taking up too much space. Such a console can be used to create a small bar where you can display drinks and glasses.

Dining room

A console table usually serves one of two purposes in a dining room: a convenient place to store cutlery or a wine cabinet and minibar. In any case, a console table can provide convenient storage while adding zest to the interior. nine0003

Desk

If there is not enough space, you can use the narrow console as a desk in studio apartments or in multi-purpose rooms. Place shelves above the table - and here is a small but quite comfortable workplace.

Boudoir

Can be used to create a modern dressing table in the bedroom. For example, place storage baskets under the table or choose a table with drawers to store cosmetics and accessories - and here's an easy solution that combines function and decor! nine0003

Bathroom

If your bathroom has space, a small console table can add personality and utility. You can place a flower arrangement on it or arrange jars of shampoos and cosmetics. Drawers can provide additional hidden storage, while shelves or baskets can be great places to store towels.

In conclusion, console tables are versatile pieces of furniture that add visual appeal, functionality and utility to any space in the home. By following the guidelines above, you can select the perfect console table and accessories to meet your unique needs.

Console table — many-sided handsome man

Tatiana Chereshneva's Atelier of Decor

The console can be called one of the most underestimated pieces of furniture. Few people think about buying it, and in vain, because with its purchase, the owner of a house or apartment receives at the same time an additional place for arranging objects, and an exquisite and eye-catching piece of furniture. nine0003

In fact, it can be an independent object of art in itself. The console will equally successfully complement the interior of any room. It is customary to hang a mirror or a picture on the wall above it. In the hallway, it is convenient to put keys, gloves, a handbag and other trifles on it at the entrance, or you can always keep lipsticks, perfumes and combs to preen before leaving. In the bedroom, it may well be used as a dressing table or play the role of bedside tables. There is always something to put on the console tabletop and in the dining room. In the living room, it is also convenient to place such a table attached to the armrest of a sofa or chair, which will expand the possibilities of its use. It will be possible to put magazines, books on it, put a laptop, glasses, etc. nine0003

Initially, the console table in the interior performed only decorative functions. They usually had vases with flowers or small figurines. Therefore, classic models are very small. The depth of the tabletop for some does not exceed 20 centimeters. This is a definite plus, since a small element could perfectly decorate an empty niche or piece of wall. An excellent example from the present is the option when a heating radiator located in a conspicuous place is masked with a console. nine0003

Over time, consoles have added practicality. They began to serve as stands for lighting fixtures. Many models are equipped with small drawers. Therefore, ladies began to successfully use them in their boudoirs to store small items.

Classic standard dimensions:

Console height from 800 to 1100 mm.
Worktop depth max. 400 mm.
The average element width remains within 500 mm. nine0106

This miniature element is usually attached to any vertical surface. It can be not only a wall in a room. The console leaning against the back of the sofa looks great. It can also perfectly decorate any free corner in the room.

There are several types of consoles:

Freestanding

It can be called a full-fledged small table. But very narrow. Due to the latter circumstance, such models are not pushed to the center of the room, but left against the wall. True, there are no strict restrictions and there are models on wheels, which, if necessary, are moved around the room. nine0003

Side

The classic version looks like a table sawn in half. The console may even have one leg. Therefore, for stability, the structure cannot simply lean against the wall. It must be firmly attached to it. But such models have the most attractive appearance.

Wall-mounted

Most often, the decorative leg of the structure does not even reach the floor. Less often, when it is absent altogether. And then the console becomes like a regular shelf, but only round or oval. Often comes with a mirror. Therefore, it is often installed in the hallway or serves as a replacement for the dressing table. nine0003

Traditionally consoles are made of wood. This look is suitable for almost any style of decoration. They are especially popular because of their environmental friendliness. But the beauty of the material is valued no less. There are also many options for decorating wooden consoles with hand-painted, gold-plated gold leaf, decorating with ceramic accessories and intricate fittings.

The console table, which came to modern apartment environments from ancient times, still does not lose its relevance.