Updated : July 1, 2025
Published : June 19, 2025
Help & Advice

Of all the furnishings that slip under the radar, the console table might be the most underestimated. It’s slim, subtle, and - at first glance - purely functional. But done right, a console table becomes so much more: a visual anchor, a mood-setter, even a personality statement in miniature. It’s the first thing you see in a hallway, the quiet structure behind a living room vignette, or the bridge between spaces that don’t quite speak the same design language - until now.

So if you're wondering how to dress a console table without falling into the trap of faux styling clichés or cluttered surfaces, you're in the right place. Here’s how we approach it - with creativity, balance, and an eye for pieces that work just as hard as they look.

1. Treat It Like a Gallery Wall, Just on a Surface

The biggest mistake people make? Thinking a console table is only about what sits on it. In reality, it’s a three-dimensional canvas. Start by anchoring the wall behind - a mirror is the obvious choice (and often a good one), but don’t overlook framed artwork in pairs or clusters. Layer pieces against the wall rather than hanging everything - it creates a sense of depth, and avoids that overly curated look.

On the surface, create visual rhythm: one tall object (a lamp or vase), one medium (a sculpture or candle holder), and one low (a tray, stack of books, or bowl). The key is variation in height, shape and material. Glass, wood, ceramic, brass - the more layered your textures, the richer the result.

2. Use Books Without Being Obvious

We love a stack of design books - who doesn’t? But they shouldn’t feel like props from a showroom. Choose titles you actually love or at least find aesthetically pleasing. Place them slightly off-centre and top them with something tactile: a scented candle, a small sculpture, even a seasonal object (pine cones, coral, a string of freshwater pearls if that’s your thing - no judgement here).

It’s about balancing formality with realness. Styling doesn’t need to be sterile! Sometimes a half-open book left mid-read is more powerful than a perfectly stacked pile.

3. Go Big with a Statement Lamp

If your console table has power nearby (or if you’re happy to run a cable invisibly), don’t underestimate the power of lighting. A table lamp instantly changes the tone - from static display to dynamic, lived-in space.

We tend to favour oversized, sculptural lamps here. Think ceramic or stone bases, linen shades, maybe even pleated or coloured glass if the room allows it. The key is scale - don’t go too small. A skinny table with a petite lamp just looks apologetic. Go bolder than you think you can get away with, and you’ll perhaps be surprised how cohesive it looks.

4. Style Below the Surface

One of the most overlooked elements of a console table is what happens underneath. Empty space isn’t always elegant - sometimes it just looks... forgotten.

So think storage, softness or structure. A pair of ottomans or stools tucked beneath add visual symmetry and function. A storage basket (or two) can soften the frame and add warmth - ideal for catching shoes, throws, post, or all the things we pretend don’t gather in hallways.

If your console is particularly minimal, this base styling can ground it - especially in airy rooms where everything else floats.

5. Let Your Personality Do the Talking

Console tables are one of the few spaces where you can truly play. That might mean showcasing a collection (vintage cameras, ceramic cats, found objects from holidays you actually took), or it might mean seasonal switch-ups - dried hydrangeas in autumn, cut peonies in spring, foraged branches in winter.

They also give you an excuse to buy that one-off piece you fell in love with but didn’t know where to put - the hand-blown glass bowl, the terracotta bust, the lava-glazed pottery that doesn’t match anything but works with everything.

Remember, it’s a surface - not a shrine. It should evolve with your space and your life. We think the best console tables reflect their owners without shouting.

6. Choose the Right Console to Begin With

Of course, all of this hinges on having the right console table in the first place - one that suits your room and your needs.

Some homes need a narrow, almost-invisible hallway perch; others call for something more commanding. In multifunctional spaces, an extending console table might even double as a dining setup or desk. We’ve seen it happen often - and when it’s done right, it’s transformative.

That’s why we’ve created a full breakdown in our complete guide to console tables - what to look for, how to measure, what fits where. If you’re still in the decision-making stage, it’s a solid place to start.

And if you’re ready to bring one into your space? You can view innovative space-saving tables from our handcrafted range at Furl. Designed in-house, made in the UK, and built to last - with functionality you’ll genuinely use, not just admire.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to dress a console table isn’t necessarily about following a formula, and is more about understanding balance, proportion, and personality. You want the table to feel curated but not stiff, intentional but not overdone. It’s one of the few design elements that lives at the intersection of display and utility - and when done well, it becomes a tiny reflection of your home’s energy.

So: mix shapes. Vary height. Light it well. Anchor the wall. Add something weird. Leave negative space. And above all, let it be yours.