How to Style a Console Table

Style Your Console Like A Pro

Console tables are funny little creatures. They stand there —pretending to be shy while quietly begging for a bit of attention. A console table is small enough to ignore but central enough to ruin the mood of a room if it looks like an empty supermarket shelf. So, let’s talk about how to style one properly. Whether you're dressing wood console tables, a sleek contemporary surface or something vintage and charming, there’s a way to make these narrow little platforms look thoughtful, balanced and inviting. This is your friendly, slightly off-beat guide to bringing your console table to life.

Start with a Story, Not Objects

Before you plonk down a lamp and call it a day, think about the story you want your table to tell. Should guests walk in and think: “Ah, this person probably knows how to bake sourdough and can whistle impressively”? Or maybe: “This home belongs to someone who has a deep emotional connection to eucalyptus branches”? The best styled tables feel like a gentle introduction to your home’s personality. A rustic console table often leans warm and homely. It’s the “tea and biscuits” of the furniture world. In contrast, metal consoles deliver a more deliberate, architectural mood—sleek but not cold, if balanced well. And if your heart leans towards something lighter, a glass console introduces a whisper-soft presence that suits airy rooms beautifully.

Anchor the Scene with Height

Every console table needs something tall, otherwise everything looks like it’s apologising for being there. A lamp is the classic helper, and one with a tactile shade  can lift even the plainest layout. If lamps don’t suit, try an oversized vase with a bold branch, or a slim stack of books topped with an eccentric little plant. Height gives your arrangement its backbone. Even a small hallway table benefits here—actually, it needs height even more because everything has to work harder in a tighter space.

Balance: The Gentle Art of “Not Too Much and Not Too Little”

Long consoles offer the gift of negative space; shorter ones ask for more restraint. Think in terms of visual weight rather than symmetry. One approach is the soft triangle: a tall item on one side, a mid-height moment in the centre, then a low grounding object to finish the flow. Another is the loose pairing—lamp on one side, a small curated cluster on the other. Or you can let a mirror or piece of art steal the show, making the objects on the table feel like supporting cast members. Consoles don’t want perfection. They just want to feel comfortable in their own long, narrow skin.

Layering: The Secret Ingredient

Layering is where the magic lives. Without it, a console looks like a shop display. With it, everything feels intentional. Try mixing textures: a ceramic vessel beside a smooth candle holder, or a woven bowl next to glass. Add a framed piece of art leaning casually at the back. Books, natural branches, and small sculptural trinkets all contribute depth. Wood pairs well with warm textures, metal consoles appreciate soft companions to prevent harshness, and glass consoles thrive when styled with lighter, airier pieces that don’t weigh their delicacy down.

Use a Tray or Bowl to Prevent Chaos

Every home has That One Spot where keys, receipts, sunglasses and forgotten loyalty cards gather like pigeons near a sandwich crust. Your console is that spot unless you intervene. A tray or bowl gives chaos boundaries. On wooden surfaces, a contrasting tone looks intentional. On metal, try a woven or clay piece to soften things. On glass, choose something with shape so the transparency doesn’t swallow it. Magically, your functional mess becomes an aesthetic choice.

Bring in Something Unexpected

This is where the quirky bit enters. Your console deserves at least one object that sparks a smile—or a tiny, polite eyebrow raise. A vintage camera. A brass bird doing absolutely nothing useful. A sculptural candle that makes no sense. Something handwritten in a frame. These items keep consoles from looking too behaved. They suggest you’re someone who still enjoys whimsy, even in grown-up furniture arrangements.

Think About Function (Just a Little)

The table isn’t a museum plinth. It’s a surface in your daily path. If yours sits behind a sofa, pick objects that look good from all sides and won’t be knocked over by enthusiastic lounging. When space is narrow and the table is small, keep the front edge tidy so nothing sticks out and catches passers-by. For hallway placements, make sure you’ve allowed room for keys, post and the occasional dropped glove. Elegance is delightful, but practicality makes the whole thing livable.

Mirrors: The Console’s Faithful Companion

Mirrors and console tables have a long, devoted relationship. A mirror brightens a hallway, gives depth to small rooms and offers you a final once-over before leaving the house. On rustic or wooden designs, irregular or organic frames add charm. On metal consoles, a rounded shape softens the angles. For glass consoles, a slim, quiet mirror keeps things light rather than overpowering. A mirror doesn’t overshadow the table—it lets it breathe.

Greenery: The Breath of Life

A touch of green (or flowers in general) brings instant soul to a console table. A trailing plant, a tall sprig, a tiny gathered bouquet—any of them work. If you’re someone who forgets to water things (no judgement), dried stems look lovely and forgiving. Greenery completes the table in a way few other things can. It adds movement. Colour. A bit of life that doesn’t ask much in return.

Editing: The Kindest Step of All

Once everything is in place, step back. Tilt your head as though you’re contemplating something profound. Does anything feel off? Too busy? Too stiff? Remove one thing. Then maybe another. Styling consoles is less about filling space and more about letting the arrangement breathe. Editing turns a good layout into one that feels effortless.

Final Thoughts from The Bonnie Home 

A console table isn’t meant to shout. It’s the gentle greeter, the quiet friend that makes a room feel complete. Styling one doesn’t require designer instincts—just balance, texture, personality and a willingness to play until the table feels like part of your home. Whether you’re working with glass, metal or wood, or something charmingly rustic, the joy lies in its constant evolution. Move things, add things, take things away. Consoles don’t mind. They’re patient creatures, happy to shift with your mood.