Console Table

Where should a console table go in the living room?

A console table makes use of a section of wall without adding deep storage. It can hold a lamp, a few books, or objects you enjoy seeing when you enter the room. Behind a sofa, it can also define the boundary with the dining room. Where you place it matters: it should provide a useful surface without cluttering a walkway.

Our selection includes solid mango wood, mindi wood, marble, and engineered wood construction, depending on the model. Some console tables have drawers, while others highlight their tops and bases. We recommend deciding how you plan to use yours before choosing a material. A decorative surface and storage for everyday accessories call for different arrangements.

Measure the wall and walkway

Width determines how much wall space the console table takes up, but depth is especially important in a hallway or behind seating. Check how much room will remain to walk past it. Account for doors, curtains, and outlets, too. Even a top that seems shallow can get in the way if the walkway is already narrow or objects extend beyond its edge.

The height should suit its intended use. If you want a balanced arrangement, choose a console table behind a straight sofa with the height of the backrest in mind. View the piece from the entrance and from the seating area. Its base, back, and the objects on top may be visible from several sides in an open-plan living room.

A solid wood console table

Mango wood and mindi wood bring warm tones to the selection. The wood grain can create a connection with a coffee table or bookcase. Depending on the shape of its base, a console table can look light and airy or become a more sculptural piece. The material alone does not define the atmosphere: proportions and the open space beneath the top matter, too.

A solid wood coffee table can echo this look without using exactly the same wood species or finish. Look for a shared tone, curve, or line. You can also keep a contrast with the other furniture while choosing more understated textiles. The aim is to give the living room a cohesive feel while letting each piece serve its own purpose.

Marble or a lacquered finish for a different look

A console table with a marble surface brings a stone element to a simple wall or a space with warm textiles. The stone needs care suited to its finish. Wet objects or unsuitable products can change the surface’s appearance; use protections and care products intended for the material. Its decorative appeal should also suit the way you’ll use it every day.

The lacquered finishes on some engineered-wood console tables give the color a more uniform appearance. A cream shade can brighten a hallway, while green can create a focal point. To connect this surface with the center of the living room, marble-effect and marble coffee tables offer other ways to bring stone-inspired materials into the space. A few repeated details are enough; there is no need to use every material throughout the room.

Drawers for storage

A console table with drawers holds the small accessories you prefer to keep out of sight. Check the drawers’ interior width, depth, and clearance when open. There should be enough room in front of the table to open them comfortably. If the console table sits behind a sofa, decide which side you’ll access the drawers from and keep that area clear.

If you need to store more books or objects, a wooden bookcase may be a better fit. The console table can then serve as a lighter-use transitional surface. We suggest dividing these functions among your furniture: that way, you won’t need to choose an oversized console table simply to make up for a lack of storage elsewhere in the room.

Style the tabletop with restraint

A lamp, a tall object, and a few lower pieces create variation in height. Leave some space clear if you use the console table to set things down every day. A mirror or artwork can complete the wall, with its own suitable mounting where needed. Consider where a lamp cord will run so the tabletop remains easy to use.

Explore the full Living Room collection to find pieces that complement your console table. Before setting it up, check the assembly instructions, supports, and specified fasteners. For care, follow the guidance for the wood, lacquer, or stone. Choose a console table whose proportions complement the wall and whose function feels natural in your daily life.