Console tables look great and have versatility on their side. Although they often present as hall tables, these surfaces—sometimes double- or triple-tiered—are at home almost anywhere in the house. By the front door, they’re the spot you drop or collect your keys as you’re coming or going. They’re also a space to hold your handbag, display your favourite books, or decorate to your heart’s content.
If you have a console table (or two) up your sleeve, you’ll want to use it well. Luckily for you, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what you can do with this surface. Console tables are our specialty, and we’re brimming with ideas! So, keep reading to learn some clever ways to use your console tables optimally.
Use One to Highlight Your Hallway
The hallway is the first thing your guests see. A great way to leave a stellar impression is to beautify your hall with a console table against the wall. But don’t just plonk down the table and call it a day. No hallway table is complete without a touch of style!
Mirrors add elegance and volume to your hallway display. Image: 1825 Interiors
Styling is surprisingly easy here. An easy way to add beauty and volume to this space is to place a mirror or appropriate piece of wall art above your console table. Aside from being elegant, mirrors also give the illusion of a larger room. If you’re opting for the wall art option, ensure the colours integrate with the room and the trinkets atop your table.
Which trinkets, you ask? The ones you’ll use to give some flair to your bare surface! A trinket tray is a practical addition and a great place to plonk your keys as you please. This place is also a space for thematically linked trinkets or even a vignette. Just remember that blank space can also speak volumes. Find that balance of ornaments and vacant space that won’t crowd out your console table.
Colour-matched ornaments and flowers combine to create a Hamptons-inspired space. Personalise with a framed photo! Image: 1825 Interiors
For a personal touch, why not add some framed family pictures? Like your decorative additions, ensure the photo frame is colour-matched (or colour complementary) to your overall theme.
Use One As a Bedroom Vanity
If your bedroom hasn’t the space for an oversized dresser, a console table can be a great substitute. The surface area is the same, and, provided it’s compartmentalised, you can store your jewellery, make-up, handkerchiefs, perfumes, ties, or watches in your console table’s drawer(s). Alternatively, place miniature stands atop the table and store your accessories in plain sight.
Image: Adam Watson via Unsplash
All you need is a mirror and a stool to complete this setup. Again, when selecting these components, ensure they match your theme and complement your space. Place your hybrid vanity-console table in the light—preferably by the window—and decorate it however you see fit. This space is your canvas, whether you want to add scented candles, your favourite trinkets, or even just a lone lamp. You could even add some fairy lights!
Use One As a Desk
Console tables can make excellent desks, so long as their shelving is not so low that it disrupts your footing. In fact, with correct positioning, an additional shelf can be a great place to store your books and laptop. And if you choose a console table with drawers, you can kiss the days of scrambling for misplaced stationery goodbye.
Image: 1825 Interiors
When setting up your console desk, ensure you position it by a power outlet. You’ll need this for your computer work! Moreover, choose a comfortable chair—preferably an adjustable office model, to ensure optimal ergonomics. You may also wish to add a high-quality lamp and other decorative or personal items to personalise your space. For home office setups, we always recommend houseplants, which bring the outdoors just a little bit closer to your indoor space.
Console-idate Your Tables!
As you can see, a console table needn’t be just a hall table. You can use it in any way you want, so long as it’s serving you well! To get the most out of your table, ensure you add accessories or furniture that can make it as functional as you need it to be. There are also many ways you can style or personalise your console table.
Now that we’ve got the ball rolling, can you think of any other ways to use console tables optimally?
