Console Table Uses
What is a console table, and where should one be placed in your home? Discover console table uses and inspiration.
What is a Console Table?
A console table is a narrow table, often supported by ornamental brackets, and usually placed against a wall or behind a sofa. How do you use a console table? If you’ve ever looked at an empty spot in a room and thought, “That could use a little something,” you might have needed a console table. These versatile pieces can fit in almost any room in a house. They can be focal points, adding visual appeal, serve as stylish, yet subtle storage, or both!
Console Table Design: From Simple to Stunning
At Furnitureland South, you‘ll find a wide range of console designs. From the traditional long, narrow wooden tables with elegant legs to organic-inspired masterpieces, like this piece from the Phillips Teak Root Collection, there is a console table to fit any aesthetic. If you need a table to double as storage for neatly tucking away cables, games, or pet toys, we offer tables with doors and drawers. Are you looking for a long table with drawers and shelves? One like the Captiva Hall Console offers that combination in a sleek design. No matter your needs, we have a console table to fit, and if you need assistance choosing, our team of design experts is here to help!
Console Table Uses by Room
The Entryway Console Table
Improve your home’s first impression by adding a beautiful console table to your entryway. While creating a more inviting space, it can also hold daily necessities, from car fobs to driving gloves. Hang a decorative mirror above it for those last–minute appearance checks as you leave the house, which can double as a way to make the space look larger.
A Console Table in the Living Room
Place a console table behind the sofa or against a wall to anchor the room while providing organization for objects like gaming systems, DVDs, and board games. If it’s placed against a wall, add lamps, a sculptural piece, or a vase with fresh greenery to create a focal point. For an even more attractive statement, hang a large piece of art in your favorite style above it.
The Dining Room Console Table
Elevate your dining space with a console table and enjoy the benefits of added serving functionality. To store platters, pitchers, and other serving dishes, select a table with doors and interior shelves. Or make a bold statement with a more artistic console table that features modern lines or nature-inspired design.
Console Table Décor
Now that you’ve learned some of the places you can use console tables, it’s time to consider the décor you place on and around them a little more deeply. Here are some ideas to help inspire you:
- If you want the table itself to be the statement piece in a room, keep what you place on it to a minimum, or leave it empty.
- To create a more inviting entry space, fresh flowers or a small plant are a welcoming touch.
- In a family room, framed personal photos highlight life’s special moments.
- In a dining room, it can be a showcase for a decorative serving tray, crystal decanter, or decorative vase.
- In a guest bedroom or bathroom, place a basket of personal-sized toiletries or sweet and savory snacks.
Teak Maze Rectangle Mirror
While the terms are often used interchangeably, the main difference lies in placement and height. Sofa tables are specifically designed to sit behind a sofa, so they are typically low enough (usually 28–30 inches high) to stay below the top of the sofa frame. Console tables are generally placed against a wall in an entryway or hallway and can be slightly taller (30–33 inches) to stand out as a focal point. However, many modern console tables work perfectly in either spot!
For hallways, depth is your most important measurement. You want to ensure the table doesn’t obstruct the walkway. Look for a “slim” or “narrow” console table with a depth of 12 to 15 inches.
Absolutely! This is a great space-saving hack for apartments or multipurpose rooms. If you plan to use a console table as a desk, look for one that is at least 18–20 inches deep to accommodate a laptop and a lamp. Also, check that the table has an open base (no lower shelf) or high clearance so you can comfortably tuck a chair and your legs underneath.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a mirror or piece of art that is roughly two-thirds to three-quarters the width of the table. Hang the piece so that the bottom of the frame is about 6 to 8 inches above the tabletop. This connects the art to the table visually, creating a cohesive vignette rather than two floating objects.
The bottom shelf is perfect for “visual weight” items that ground the look. Large woven baskets are a popular choice because they add texture and hide clutter (like shoes or charging cords). You can also stack coffee table books, place a large decorative bowl, or arrange a trio of vases. Avoid small knick-knacks on the bottom shelf, as they can get lost visually.
Yes, a console table is an excellent alternative to a traditional sideboard or buffet, especially in smaller dining rooms. It provides a surface for serving drinks, appetizers, or desserts during parties. When not entertaining, you can style it with a pair of buffet lamps and a centerpiece to add ambient lighting to your dinners.
When it comes to uses for console tables, the possibilities are endless. To explore all the options available at Furnitureland South, plan your visit today!
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