How to Decorate a Console Table

Consoles come in many shapes, sizes and styles and you’ll find that there is always space to fit at least one in every home. This unique furniture is one piece that you can have to show off your artwork, décor items, and prized mementoes.

Not only that. A console can also serve as a makeshift bar or even something as basic as a TV stand.

From the classic, chic and streamlined to the rustic farmhouse and modern style, console tables are one of the most practical pieces of furniture you should have in your home, whether you think you have space for one, or not.

Aesthetically pleasing, especially if decorated stylishly, many homeowners often overlook the fact that they can provide a zone for decorative display while also serving as a space for storage of sorts. And when placed against a wall, a backdrop of your favourite wall painting or framed mirror will turn the space into a room’s focal point.

7 Areas Where You Can Place a Console Table

1. Between two windows

2. In a living room

3. A nook or niche in the home

4. A hallway (foyer) - clean and uncluttered

5. Behind a sofa

6. Upstairs landing

7. As a divider between two zones

Though console tables have limited spaces to display because they mostly have skinny surfaces, yet they are pieces of furniture that should be viewed as a microcosm of design preferences.

Though it is small and compact, it can still be used to express one’s personal taste and style. It is like . . . “what can you say about yourself on this small surface without overwhelming the space?”

Minimalist Style - Console Decor

Best Ways to Create a Stylish Console that Speaks Volumes

Though there is no hard and fast rule on how to style a console table, there are a couple of tips you can follow to ensure your console table and its contents not only look stylish but also make a great statement.

Less is more - When it comes to interior design, sometimes less is more. This also applies to surfaces that hold items of decorative display.

Create a balance - Work in both verticals and horizontals. For instance, if you place a table lamp on your console table, make sure you balance if off with a couple of low objects like a little treasure box and a bowl of potpourri; ceramic ware, a set of cubic bowls, or a small mother of pearl inlay tray for your car keys.

Choose shapes wisely – Use decorative items with different shapes – rounds, squares, rectangles, cylindrical, etc... The art shapes and objects you use can take the space in any direction you wish.

So, rather than clutter the surface of your console table with a little of this and a little of that, make a few strong choices. It will create twice the impact.

If you don’t have items to display (but you probably do), scour the flea markets for great finds. You’ll be amazed at what you may discover in these markets, and at such cheap prices too.

Online stores are another place where you may find exotic or plain simple décor items that will make your console look beautiful.

Further Reading:
How to Style a Coffee Table
How to Style a Plain Sofa
How to Style your Interior Space with Accent Chairs

How to Decorate a Coffee Table Stylishly

Decorating a room stylishly shouldn’t stop at choosing a nice interior design theme. Nor should it just be because you have a natural stone floor finish, hung beautiful artwork, applied stucco on a focal wall, installed signature pendant lights, and added tribal accent chairs to enhance the expensive sofa set.

Interior styling goes beyond that.

(Image created by author on viryabo@polyvore)

It includes decorating certain furniture: coffee tables, bookcases, display stands, mantelpieces, etc, with decorative stuff like tiny jade carvings, memorabilia, chess boards, framed family photos, miniatures, giant seashells, driftwood, and other knick-knack collections that result in the entire room screaming STYLE.

Of them all, one piece of furniture that deserves thoughtful styling is the coffee table, aka the centre table.

Decorating the Coffee Table

Decorating a coffee table to give it a wow factor isn’t hard. But it takes thoughtful planning, especially if you are home proud and love to show off your art of interior styling.

For starters, centre tables should make great focal points in living rooms. 

Additionally:

• They must serve much more than what their name implies.
• They should contain items that evoke admirable conversations.
• Every item of the ensemble should look good, both individually and collectively.
• The arrangement must include verticals and horizontals.
• The total items placed on its surface must add up to odd numbers (best practice).
• A mix of natural elements with man-made forms is a good one.

(Image created by author on viryabo@polyvore)

Examples of what you can place on your coffee table are:

1. Flower vase with fresh (or faux) flowers.
2. Driftwood.
3. Handmade art or carvings.
4. Family keepsakes.
5. Scented candles.
6. Tabletop water features.
7. Plant terrariums.
8. Set of exquisite boxes (beaded, painted, leathered, upholstered, etc).
9. Decorative trays with shells, beads, pebbles, coloured stones, etc.
10. Mini chess, backgammon, and mancala game boards.
11. A tray or basket filled with their own decorations, to break up the table surface.
12. An eye-catching sculpture (adds height and drama to the table’s surface).
13. Metal figurines.
14. Decorative hourglass.
15. A pretty fish bowl with three exotic fishes.
16. Tabletop decorative globe.
17. Stylish vintage-inspired table clocks.
18. Bowl of assorted candies.
19. Aromatherapy burners.
20. Tabletop lighting feature.
21. A low stack of books (five max).

And more. From the sleek and cute to the classic, minimalist, and ethnic, coffee table decorations are meant to add aesthetics to your living room and bring a satisfactory smile to your face.

How to Arrange the Decor Collection

How you display your collection is not really an art in itself. Usually, the eye shows what looks right(ish) or what doesn’t look so good.

The important thing is to pay attention to:

• Scale
• Size
• Form (shape)
• Colors

Ensure that whatever the combination of elements and features are, they must be a mix of vertical and horizontal pieces. The mix gives results of a more balanced look that’s better on the eye, and more pleasing to the senses.

Finally, you don’t have to dig deep into your pocket to decorate your coffee table like a professional home-stylist. So, give your centre table some extra flair. Decorate it creatively!

Nothing looks more unpleasant than a ‘naked’ coffee table.

Coffee Table Styling Ideas (Video)

See also:

How to Style Your Dull, Plain Sofa
Klismos Chairs - Ancient Greek Chair Designs

How to Decorate Your Home with Accent Chairs

7 Ways to Change Your Living Room from Drab to Uplifting
How to Create Spa-Themed Bathrooms: 11 Things to Add
Decorating Ideas for the Family Living Room (Den)

Tips:

• If you look around the house, you WILL find décor items you can use.

• Switch decorations around from time to time for a fresh look.