How to decorate console table
How to style a console table: 18 ideas for entryways and more
(Image credit: Future)
Decorating and styling a console table, whether in your entryway, living room, even bedroom, can make or break a room. A console table is, after all, a prominent piece of furniture.
Leave it to gather dust and clutter and it will become an eyesore, but curate it elegantly and it will instantly lift a room. Leaving its surface empty is a missed opportunity, too, to create a wonderful vignette.
Here, we’ve put together console table styling solutions for your entryway table decor and to add to your collection of living room ideas for a space that’s elegant, appealing, and individual in its design.
How to style a console table
Much like coffee table styling ideas, color, line, texture, and scale of items such as table lamps, objets, artwork, and books are all important considerations when considering how to style a console table, whether it is located in a contemporary or more traditional space.
We asked some of the world's best interior designers for their top five rules on decorating a console table for impact – ideal for your arsenal of entryway ideas.
1. Make space for a console in a small space
(Image credit: Chris Snook)
'There's no denying that even small entryways benefit from a beautifully styled console table, though you may need to be clever with the design to keep the space feeling streamlined,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens.
'I love the way this console table has been cleverly conjured up with a wall hung shelf; the fixings are hidden behind a smart profile above the radiator (which will also help keep the heat from rising), and the small lamps are battery-run, keeping the finish neat. Topped with a perfectly proportioned mirror and wall light, the space feels luxuriously elegant, without feeling compromised.'
2. Put a console table to good use
(Image credit: Rachael Smith)
Not every dining room needs a buffet or sideboard for storage, and if space is tight, it is actually better swap out solid pieces of furniture for less bulky pieces.
This is where console tables can come into their own. You can style your console with a tray of drinks (it's the perfect small home bar), keep your candles there when they're not in use and place a lamp on the top to create an inviting pool of light. As always, placing a picture just above the console will ensure the vignette feels complete.
3. Decorate a console with a curated display
(Image credit: Future PLC / Tom Leighton)
Every great console display needs a picture or mirror sat just behind it – and not so high up that it feel disconnected from it.
'We love the idea of a console styled up with a curated collection,' says Jennifer Ebert, Homes & Gardens' Deputy Editor. 'This could be items brought back from your travels, or simply some exotic finds picked up at Currey & Co .
4. Create a cohesive look
(Image credit: Future)
Consider working with a theme for the objects on a console table for a cohesive look.
Here, an antiqued glass mirror takes center stage, with a range of objets in a range of natural tones displayed casually, but deliberately.
Pieces that don’t take the same cue prevent the whole from looking over the top, and create a frame for the display.
5. Opt for a pair of table lamps
(Image credit: Sims Hilditch)
How to style a console table and give it classic credentials? Selecting a pair of table lamps is a traditional approach to creating symmetry in interior design that’s perfect for many rooms, and a classic amongst entryway lighting ideas.
‘When styling a console, I typically aim for symmetry, whether that's accomplished with lamps, vases, or decorative objects,’ says Ashley DeLapp, founder and principal designer of Ashley DeLapp Interior Design .
Follow this approach when decorating a console table and little else may be needed for a beautiful display. ‘I like to keep things streamlined and clean, using books to add height while showcasing special trinkets or collections of flowers,’ Ashley says.
6. Make it minimal
(Image credit: Future)
In a contemporary room scheme, paring back what’s on the console table can be the best tactic. What’s crucial if that’s the case is selecting decorative pieces of sufficient scale to appear considered. On this table a simple bowl of flowers draws the eye while the focus is on the artwork above, framed by the console below.
7. Match materials or echo shapes
(Image credit: Jon Day / Claudia Bryant)
One possible strategy when thinking about how to style a console table is to take a lead from the table itself. This design’s legs are echoed by the quirky lamp, vases and even the artwork. The picture frame above repeats the color of the table's material for a pulled-together result.
8. Display art on a console table
(Image credit: Adam Bray)
Decorating with art is important in mastering console table styling, and there is a choice of ways to show artworks on a console table – here, designer Adam Bray showcases sculptures and textiles in a simple but stunning arrangement.
Another route to foregrounding art is to place it on an easel.
‘I love to incorporate a piece of art on an easel when styling a console table,’ says Grace Brackman, associate designer, Maggie Griffin Design . ‘Whether an antique or abstract piece, art is a great way to integrate color and pattern to your tabletop.’
9. Keep it natural
(Image credit: The Cotswold Company )
Considering how to style a console table when the goal is a soothing scheme? Opting for a color palette in gentle natural tones is a great approach, especially in an entryway. In this space, organic color and texture are prominent on the plant pot and console table itself and complemented by the softest of hues on the lamp base.
Follow this example by hanging a mirror low enough to reflect the objects on display to boost their impact.
10. Adopt a contemporary approach
(Image credit: Polly Wreford / Claudia Bryant)
A symmetrical arrangement of well-proportioned lamps or urns on a console table is a sure-fire choice, but opting for asymmetry is an interesting and modern alternative.
‘Try grouping a piece of sculpture, a statement lamp and a vase of flowers for a look that is balanced but has a more contemporary feel,’ says designer Birdie Fortescue . ‘Use a generous rug in coordinating tones and a congruous painting or mirror to complete the scheme.’
11. Change the lines
(Image credit: Future)
Entryways tend to be thoroughfares we give little thought to – and often interesting architecture is lacking. To up the style quotient, choose a console table with curvaceous lines, and echo its shapes and materials in the vases and sculptural finds displayed on top.
12. Choose antiques
(Image credit: VSP Interiors)
Decorating with antiques makes a beautiful focal point, but how to style a console table like this?
‘An antique console does more than provide a place to set things down,’ says Henriette von Stockhausen, co-founder and creative director of VSP Interiors . ‘By adding a pair of lamps with antique silk shades for a welcoming glow, along with art, tapestries and decorative items, one can create a layered comfortable look.
’
13. Play with pastels
(Image credit: Maureen Stevens)
Make a pleasing vignette on a larger console table with a pastel palette to draw a variety of pretty pieces and a floral arrangement together. The addition of white keeps the effect fresh and sophisticated. Smaller decorative pieces are best grouped, while taller designs will introduce the height that’s necessary on a larger piece of furniture.
If you’re including artwork, hang it close to the table so it reads as part of the whole, and link it with color, too.
14. Frame an entry table display with wallpaper
(Image credit: Gunter & Co)
Entryways can be tricky spaces to deal with as the proportions are often slim, and they suffer from little natural light and architectural interest. However, you can use some hallway wallpaper ideas to help create interest, as Irene Gunter, founder of interior design studio Gunter & Co explains:
‘I really wanted to introduce some wallpaper to inject color and texture but it wouldn't have worked in large amounts.
This discreet frame detail that our joiner made from liquid metal panelling beads has created such a big impact, it provides a beautiful space for the wallpaper whilst framing the entry table perfectly.’
The position of the over-sized centrally-hung mirror is key, too – it is close enough to the console below to become part of the display of accessories, giving the entryway incredible impact and focus.
15. Display prized antiques in an entryway
(Image credit: Penny Morrison)
Beautifully crafted antique console tables can look fabulous and add instant character to entryways – and if you’re lucky enough to have the space then a narrow piece can fit perfectly, like in this hallway by interior designer Penny Morrison .
Add a pair of patterned table lamps to create balance at either end of the table, a gallery wall of smartly framed paintings and an impactful vase of blooms for a softening decorative touch. Antique fairs have a wealth of fabulous finds that you can display too – from small trinket boxes to stunning ceramics.
16. Decorate a console table to make a small entryway feel larger
(Image credit: Louise Bradley)
‘First impressions are essential when welcoming both you and your guests into your home. In order to achieve a statement hallway, I always incorporate a console or entry table into the space, which is both functional and elegant,’ says London based bespoke interior designer Louise Bradley .
‘When dressing the entry table, it is important to consider both purpose and scale, drawing the eye into and around the room. Avoid clutter by adding a small decorative box, where you can store your essentials upon arrival or alternatively choose a console with drawers.
'Adding greenery and a scent diffuser will also create an uplifting ambiance. Add further impact by dressing the walls with a large mirror, this will assist in reflecting natural light throughout and will open up the space.’
Note the slimline proportions of the table – including its legs – and the tall, narrow mirror – both cleverly work to exaggerate the entryway's height, making the narrow space feel more generous.
17. Pick a decorating theme for your entryway console
(Image credit: OKA)
If your entryway console table has a distinct decorative theme – whether California Casual or country – picking accessories to decorate it with that echo that theme makes perfect sense. Here, Oka 's Katsura console table has been accessorized with pieces that hint at the Oriental style of the table itself – to great success.
18. Decorate a console table with paint
(Image credit: Annie Sloan)
Looking for cottage hallway ideas? Here, an ordinary console table has been given an extraordinary makeover with paint by British artist and paint expert Annie Sloan . She has echoed the design in the wall panelling behind it and, of course, picked accessories with a hand-painted finish.
What looks good on a console table?
What looks good on a console table really does depend on where it sits. If you are asking what looks good in an entryway, then the console's surface will be a top consideration, and the answer will be a pair of lamps and a focal decorative piece, such as a beautiful, flower filled vase or piece of sculpture.
In a living room, the answer may well differ, though at least one lamp always looks good on a console and creates an extra pool of diffused light that's very welcome. Other items you may want to include in a family space rather than an entryway include treasured photographs, a curated pile of favorite books you want to reach for regularly, and perhaps even a smart storage box in which clutter that might otherwise gather than can be neatly stashed.
How do you make a console table look expensive?
To make a console table look expensive, it's important to ensure the surface is kept clear of clutter and free of dust. Then, it's all down to the styling. The most effective ways to approach this are to put lamps at either end of the console, and a piece of sculpture or vase of flowers centrally. Then, hanging a mirror or picture just three to four inches above the surface of the table will finish the look perfectly.
How do you decorate a console?
Table lamps, artwork and framed photographs, and decorative accessories like vases, sculptures, and ceramics can all be used to decorate a console.
‘When styling a console table, consider scale and proportion,’ says Louise Wicksteed, design director at Sims Hilditch interior designers. ‘For example, table lamps framing the console add height and symmetry. Potted plans in a round bowl lead the eye, while stacked books and decorative objects add a personal touch.’
What do you use a console table for?
Console tables provide a space for table lamps and displays of decorative pieces and artwork and, because they are slim, they can fit into narrow areas like halls and entryways as well as into dining rooms and living rooms. As an alternative to positioning it against the wall, you might locate one at the back of a couch in the latter space.
They’re a versatile choice that could stand in for a desk in a compact space, or a bar when entertaining.
Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G.
She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Decorating a Console Table
Decorating & Entertaining Ideas
A gorgeous console table makes a perfect blank canvas for decorating. But where to start? Here, we’re outlining a simple formula for creating an expertly styled, magazine-worthy vignette—one that can be customized in infinite ways to achieve a look you love.
Start with Your Surface
Any size or style of console will do, from a glamorous metallic model to a rustic weathered-wood design.
For this example, we chose a streamlined black-and-gold console inset with glass.
One consideration: A lower shelf means double the styling potential, so consider how many pieces you want to display when choosing your table.
Add Statement-Making ArtWhether it’s a transporting seascape photograph, a vibrant floral still life, or a bold abstraction, look for an oversize work that can visually anchor your console on the wall. The frame should be narrower than the width of your table by a few inches on each side; this will keep the vignette from feeling top-heavy.
Alternately, opt for a diptych or a trio of works hung in a line, or even a set of four to six smaller prints arranged in a grid. The goal is a single, cohesive focal point that will serve as the foundation for the rest of your arrangement.
Stack Books and Boxes
On each shelf, create one or two stacks of books (oversize design tomes work well) and decorative boxes.
These will act as pedestals for accents, allowing you to place items at varying heights to create an engaging visual rhythm.
The aim here is balance, not perfect symmetry, so don’t stress over creating precisely even stacks—in fact, a little variation will create a more interesting finished look.
Give It Some Height
Be sure to bring in at least one piece that’s taller than the lower edge of the artwork’s frame; this will help to unify the art and the vignette below it.
Here, we chose a single silver candlestick with a sculptural silhouette that echoes the abstract forms of the painting. Other worthy candidates include oversize vases, colorful ginger jars, or brass sculptures.
Start Layering in Accents
Next, we brought in shapely pieces to break up all those vertical and horizontal lines: a raw-edged wooden bowl for organic warmth, an obelisk for geometric punch, and a bud vase filled with greenery for a bit of softness.
Place one or two sculptural pieces on each shelf; these will help you start to see your final arrangement taking shape.
Fill Out the Shelves
Now it’s time to really play. In the empty spaces between accents and on top of your books and boxes, cluster smaller objects (ceramic vessels, petite figurines, a collection of shells—anything goes) in sets of two or three.
There’s no right or wrong way to approach this step, so simply consider what looks most pleasing to your eye. Whatever pieces you choose, be sure to overlap a few of them slightly so that the groupings feel easy and natural.
Light It Up
Whether it’s a gorgeous table lamp, a swing-arm task lamp, or even a picture light, every console could use a light source—after all, you want to highlight that gorgeous vignette you just created!
Voilà!
Now stand back and admire your handiwork—and start contemplating the next place to apply your styling prowess.
Contributors
Styled By Michelle Wong
Photos By Tony Vu
Written By Alison Fonseca
Filed Under:
Decorating IdeasGuidesHow to decorate your console: 7 beautiful ideas
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10/14/2021
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Console table is a trendy piece of furniture.
You can decorate it in different ways: with the help of plants, a large mirror, seasonal decorations. We share the best ideas.
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1 Design in a single eco-style
A combination of several related textures always looks interesting. This technique is also used in the design of the console.
Instagram @home_by_charline
In the photo, the table itself is made of slab, its color and texture are complemented by rattan baskets, jute planters and a box, a wooden board. This combination in a "natural" style is very relevant. The color scheme is supported by accessories with golden metal elements. And baskets under the console create additional storage space.
2 Complete with accessories to create an exhibition area
Console tables are not designed for functionality. Therefore, you have every right to make a full-fledged decor zone.
Instagram @stermoow
The owners of this console of several sections have arranged a kind of exhibition area for a variety of decor. Figurines, candlesticks, a vase of dried flowers, paintings were placed on the surfaces. A floor lamp of an unusual shape and made of metal of the same color as the console legs was placed on the side. The composition and its palette are complemented by posters and a gold panel in the shape of a swan.
3 Arrange a "green space" with different types of plants
Those who are puzzled over the arrangement of plants in the room can exhale - you can do it using a console table. Namely - just place them around him, on him, under and above him.
Instagram @alexandralouisewu
This wooden console is literally "overgrown" with greenery. Sansevieria in a large pot stands nearby, several medium pots are located on the tabletop, and three hanging plants adorn the wall above, whose leaves beautifully descend.
In addition to greenery, there are only a couple of posters here (by the way, they have something in common with pots in color!) - that's enough. A small eco-station!
4 Decorate a wall gallery on top
Modern wall galleries are a way to decorate anything using your favorite posters, pictures, photos.
Instagram @und_anne_so_yeah
Here, a low retro console is complemented by black frames with various images. A good option so that it does not look empty and “torn off” from the environment. The colors of the posters are unobtrusively combined with the painted boxes.
5 Decorate according to the season
If you can't decide how to decorate your console, look at the surrounding informational events. Build a base with color-neutral décor, then complement it seasonally with themed decorations.
Instagram @churchbellcottage
The console in the photo is framed for autumn.
Autumn dried flowers, small pumpkins, the palette itself work to create the appropriate mood.
Tip: you can decorate the console not for the seasons, but also for smaller occasions. Halloween, New Year's Eve (naturally!), Valentine's Day, March 8th, family members' birthdays - there are many options!
6 Create a stylish space for pets
Pets are full members of the family. Why not arrange a comfortable and beautiful place for them to relax? You can do this near the console.
Instagram @renovating_rivendell
In the photo, two beds were placed under it; for cats or medium-sized dogs - that's it. Made of rattan, complemented by linen pillows, they look mature. Perfectly combined in color, style, materials with the countertop and the decor on it.
7 Hang a large mirror
An alternative to a wall gallery is a large mirror above a console.
It replaces the decor and traditionally expands the space.
Instagram @jaci.daily
In this interior, the mirror is very high, quite a bit narrower than the tabletop and hangs, adjoining the bottom to it. Its slim frame and dainty decoration at the top add sophistication to the room. To make the scale look harmonious, the decor on the tabletop is also large - high candlesticks, a large pot with a tall plant, a large wooden decoration.
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Tatyana Chemodanova
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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.
Entrance 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.
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.
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.
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.
