Console table

The console table is one of the most useful pieces of furniture in any house, narrow enough to fit against a wall without protruding into walking paths, surface-ample enough for real styling and a few practical objects, and capable of finishing rooms that would otherwise feel unfinished. Few furniture pieces do more design work for less floor space. Most homes need at least one console table; many need three or four.

Origin

The word "console" comes from the French architectural term for a decorative bracket that supports a horizontal element. In furniture, the original consoles of 17th-century French interiors were just that, table tops supported by elaborate carved brackets attached to walls, with no rear legs. The form evolved through the 18th century to include front legs as well as wall support, and eventually became fully freestanding while retaining the long-narrow proportions of its wall-bracket ancestor. The form has remained essentially unchanged for 300 years.

Standard dimensions

• Length: 36-72 inches typical; longer "long consoles" up to 96+ inches for grand entries and behind-sofa applications
• Depth: 10-18 inches, much narrower than a regular table
• Height: 30-36 inches, matches dining table height typically
• Behind-sofa console height: matches the sofa back exactly (usually 28-32 inches)

Common uses

• Entryway / foyer, the canonical use; somewhere to drop keys, mail, sunglasses; styled top with mirror above
• Behind a sofa, defines a seating area in an open-plan room; provides surface for lamps and accessories without intruding into the room
• Hallway, narrow profile fits where a regular table can't; breaks up a long wall
• Under a wall-mounted TV, much more elegant than a media console for media-light rooms
• Dining room (smaller spaces), replaces a full sideboard while still providing serving surface
• Bedroom, between the foot of the bed and the wall, replacing a bench
• Bathroom, vanity replacement in powder rooms; can hold a vessel sink

How to style a console

The styled console is one of the most-photographed furniture moments in interior design. A typical effective composition:

• One anchor, a tall lamp, a sculptural vase, or a large piece of art leaning behind/above
• A horizontal element, a stack of art books, a long shallow bowl, a tray
• One or two small accent objects, a small ceramic piece, a candle, a framed photo
• Leave 30-50% of the surface empty, overstuffed consoles read cluttered
• Vary heights deliberately, three objects at three different heights reads more designed than three objects at the same height

Above the console: mirror, art, or wall-mounted sconces. Bottom of art / mirror should be 6-12 inches above the console surface, closer reads cramped, farther reads disconnected.

Styles

Console tables come in every aesthetic vocabulary:

• Traditional, carved wood with cabriole legs, often with a marble top; demilune (half-moon) consoles are a classic traditional form
• Modern, clean lines, often metal-and-glass or solid wood with simple geometry
• Mid-century, walnut or teak with splayed tapered legs
• Industrial, reclaimed wood top, metal hairpin or rectangular legs
• Rustic / farmhouse, distressed wood with simple plank top
• Contemporary luxury, travertine, marble, or burled wood top; often with sculptural metal base
• Bohemian, rattan, cane, or carved wood with eclectic detailing

Where to skip a console

Consoles aren't always the right call. Skip them when:

• The entry is too narrow (under 4 feet wall-to-wall), a console may protrude too far into the walking path
• You need substantial storage, a credenza or cabinet does more
• The wall already has a built-in feature, a fireplace, built-in bookshelf, or window dominates the space
• You want a more casual feel, a low bench reads less formal

Cost range

Consoles span enormous price ranges:

• $150-500, mass retail (IKEA, Target, Wayfair); particle board, basic finishes
• $500-1,500, mid-tier (West Elm, CB2, Article, Crate & Barrel); real wood, better construction
• $1,500-5,000, premium (Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, McGee & Co); solid hardwood, quality finishes
• $5,000+, designer and antique; investment pieces

Related furniture

Consoles share territory with sofa tables (specifically sized for behind sofas), entry tables (often the same thing), demilune tables (half-moon shaped wall tables), credenzas (taller, with closed storage), benches (lower, no surface for tall objects), and accent tables (smaller, freestanding). For maximum entry-styling impact, pair a console table with a large mirror or art piece above and a runner rug below.