Your entryway is the first impression you give your guests about the overall style and feel of your home! And the undisputed star of this first scene is often a console table. But this piece of furniture doesn’t just have to be limited to the entryway. From filling a blank wall in the living room to creating a functional surface behind the sofa, the uses of a console table will surprise you. But how do you make your space more stylish and use its full potential with a console table? In this HomeFoam guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to turn this versatile table into a charming focal point in your home with a few simple styling techniques.
What exactly is a console table and where is it used?
A console table is generally a table that is usually narrow and tall and is designed to be placed against a wall or in spaces that are not very deep. Their width varies, but their depth is usually shallow so that they do not take up much space. This feature makes the console table very flexible and can be used in different places in the home:
- Entryway: Perhaps the most common and important use of a console table is in the entryway! This space is the first place guests see, and a stylish console table can make a great first impression. In addition to being beautiful, it provides a practical surface for placing keys, bags, or decorative items.
- Behind the sofa: If your furniture is in the middle of the room, choosing a console table behind the sofa at the right height will fill the empty space behind it and create a surface for a lampshade or accessory.
- Hallways: Narrow hallways become both more functional and visually appealing with the right console table.
- Living room: It can be used next to a wall, under a window, or even as a minimalist stand for a wall-mounted TV.
- Dining room: As a narrow buffet or side table, it is a great space to place dishes or decorations.
5 Important Elements for Console Table Design
The right arrangement can transform a simple console table into a stunning focal point. Designers typically focus on these five key elements:
1. Create a focal point with a mirror or painting
A large, eye-catching feature on the wall above the console table is essential to define the entire arrangement. This is usually a beautifully framed mirror or a piece of art that matches the style of the space. A console mirror in the entryway, in addition to being functional, helps to make the space appear larger and brighter. The piece is also an opportunity to express your artistic taste. The size of this feature should be in proportion to the size of the table.
2. Playing with height: lamp, vase and book
To avoid monotony, use items of varying heights on the table. A stylish table lamp not only creates layered lighting, but also adds a nice height to one side of the table. On the other side or in the center, you can use a tall vase with a few flowers or plants (natural or high-quality artificial). Decorative books stacked on top of each other also help with height and can serve as a base for placing smaller objects. If your console has a lower shelf, fill it with bulkier items, such as baskets or larger vases.
3. Add texture and layering with accessories
Small details make a big difference. Add texture and layering to your arrangement with the right accessories. A decorative tray organizes smaller items like keys or candles. Beautiful decorative boxes are a place to hide trinkets. A scented candle or diffuser changes the mood of the space. Decorative objects like small figurines, decorative chains, or personal mementos give your table a personality. Try combining different materials like wood, metal, glass, ceramic, and wicker.
4. Balance and symmetry
Your arrangement may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. A symmetrical arrangement, where items are mirrored on either side of a table, such as two identical lamps, creates a sense of order and formality. An asymmetrical arrangement, where balance is achieved with items of different sizes and shapes, such as a lamp on one side and a collection of picture frames and vases on the other, feels more dynamic and informal. Arranging items in small groups (two or three) with a little overlap is usually more appealing.
5. Pay attention to efficiency and storage space
Beauty shouldn’t be at the expense of functionality! If your console table has drawers or shelves, make good use of this storage space. Beautiful baskets on the bottom shelf can be very practical. Leave enough space on the table top for everyday items like leaving your keys at the entrance, and don’t overcrowd it.
Types of console tables
Console tables come in a wide variety of styles. From modern models with smooth lines and metal or glass materials, to classic models with carved wood and lots of details. Industrial style with a combination of metal and raw wood, and rustic style using natural wood and a sense of warmth, have their fans. Models with mirrored surfaces or shiny metals and minimalist models with utmost simplicity are also other choices that match a minimalist sofa. Try to choose a table that is most in harmony with the overall style of your home decoration.
Additional tips for designing a home with a console table
To complete your home design with your console table, consider these points:
- Scale and proportion: The size of the table should be proportional to the size of the wall or space in which it is placed.
- Lighting: In addition to a table lamp, ambient lighting or wall lights around the console can make a big impact.
- Seasonal Arrangement: As the seasons change, you can vary your console table arrangement by changing the flowers, candle colors, or adding small seasonal elements.
Which console table do you think is best to pair with an L-shaped sofa?
Which console table is your favorite?
Now you’re not just a reader, you’re a potential designer of your own space! By understanding the uses of a console table and mastering the principles of its arrangement, from creating a focal point to playing with height and texture, you can turn that empty corner or lifeless wall into an attractive and meaningful part of your home decor. A console table is a small canvas for displaying your taste; so get to work, implement the ideas in this guide, and create a space that reflects your personality and is a place to enjoy the little beauties of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the best place to place a console table?
The most common locations are the entrance to the house, behind furniture in the middle of the room, long and narrow hallways, or along the wall in the living room or dining room. The final choice depends on the layout of the house and your needs.
2. What height is suitable for a console table?
The standard height of console tables is usually between 75 and 90 cm. The appropriate height depends on the location and use; for example, if it is placed behind a sofa, it is better to have it level with or slightly lower than the back of the sofa.
3. What things should not be placed on a console table?
Try to avoid cluttering the console table surface too much. Items that are purely for storage, such as unopened letters or bills, or items that are too large or out of proportion, should be avoided to maintain the table’s beauty and functionality.
4. Is the console table just for the entryway?
No, the console table is very flexible and can be used in the living room, hallway, bedroom or even the dining room.