8 Ways to Make Better Use of a Console Table

A console table can be one of those pieces you only notice when you do not have one.

There is an empty wall that feels like it needs something. The entrance has nowhere to leave your keys. The space behind the sofa looks unfinished. A console table can solve any of these problems without taking over the room.

And it does not have to be used in just one way.

Where you put it and what you use it for can make quite a difference. Sometimes it is there mainly for the look. Sometimes it ends up becoming one of the more useful pieces in the room.

Why a Console Table Can Be Useful

The nice thing about a console table is that it does not ask for much space.

You can use one where a larger cabinet would feel too heavy, or where a completely empty wall needs a little something. The surface gives you somewhere to put things, while the furniture itself can add shape and character to an otherwise unused area.

A few possibilities include:

• Giving the entrance a useful surface
• Making use of an empty wall
• Adding storage without bringing in a large cabinet
• Creating a place for lighting, books or decorative pieces

The right use really depends on what your home is missing.

8 Ways to Make Better Use of a Console Table

1. Give Your Entrance Somewhere to Land

The area near the front door tends to collect things anyway.

Keys. Wallets. Sunglasses. Mail. Sometimes things that have no business being there in the first place.

A console table gives all of this a proper place.

You do not need to turn the surface into a storage station. A small bowl or tray can handle the smaller items, while a drawer or basket can keep other things out of sight.

It also gives you somewhere to put a lamp, mirror or a few pieces that make the entrance feel more like part of the home.

2. Use an Empty Wall

Not every empty wall needs a large piece of furniture.

Sometimes the wall is simply too bare, and a console table is enough to change that.

This can work particularly well in hallways, dining areas or corners that are too narrow for something deeper. Add a few things above and around it, and the space starts to feel intentional without becoming crowded.

The table does not have to be filled from end to end either.

3. Put One Behind the Sofa

The space behind a sofa is easy to overlook.

If your sofa sits away from the wall, there may be a long stretch of empty space behind it. A console table can make use of that area without taking attention away from the seating.

It can also give you another surface for a lamp, books, flowers or other things you want nearby.

Just make sure there is enough room to move around the sofa comfortably. A useful piece should not make the room harder to walk through.

4. Give Your Living Room Another Surface

Books, decorative pieces, a lamp or things you want within reach can all find a place there.

A console table can take on some of the smaller jobs that might otherwise end up on the coffee table. Books, decorative pieces, a lamp or things you want within reach can all find a place there.

This can be particularly useful when the coffee table needs to stay clear for everyday use.

You get another surface without adding another bulky piece of furniture.

5. Make Use of Storage Where You Can

There is more to a console table than what you place on top of it.

Depending on the design, drawers, shelves or the space underneath can give you somewhere to keep smaller items. Baskets can also make use of the lower area without making the whole piece look like a storage unit.

This can be useful in rooms where you want a little extra storage but do not have the space for a full cabinet.

Before adding another piece, see what the existing space can do.

6. Give the Wall Above It Some Attention

Once the table is in place, look at the wall above it too.

A mirror is an obvious choice, particularly near an entrance. You can add artwork above it or leave the wall clear if the table already has enough character.

There is no need to fill the wall just because there is a table underneath it.

Sometimes one larger piece above the table looks better than several smaller ones competing for attention.

7. Let It Do More Than Look Good

A console table can be useful without looking overly practical.

A lamp can bring a little more light to a darker corner in the evening. A few books can stay within reach. A basket underneath can hold things you would rather not leave out.

These small uses are easy to overlook when choosing furniture.

But they are often what make a piece worth keeping around.

8. Do Not Let It Become the Household Dumping Ground

There is a reason console tables sometimes end up looking messy.

They are convenient.

Someone walks through the door and puts something down. Another person adds something else. A letter arrives. Then a pair of sunglasses appears. A few days later, the original surface is nowhere to be seen.

Give the table a limit.

Keep a tray for the small things. Use the drawers or baskets where available. And every now and then, clear everything away and start again.

The table will probably look better for it.

FAQs About Console Tables

Where can I put a console table?

They can work in entrances, hallways, living rooms, dining areas and behind sofas. The main consideration is whether there is enough room for the table and comfortable movement around it.

What should I put on a console table?

That depends on where the table sits. A lamp, mirror, books, bowl, flowers or a few decorative pieces can all work. You can also use the surface for things you genuinely need nearby.

Can a console table provide storage?

Yes. Some designs include drawers or shelves, while the space underneath can also be useful for baskets or storage boxes.

Does a console table need to match the other furniture?

Not necessarily. It can sit comfortably with different pieces as long as the finish, shape or overall look works with the rest of the room.

Final Words

A console table does not have to be there simply because you had an empty wall.

It can give the entrance somewhere to land, make use of an awkward space, add another useful surface or provide a little extra storage.

Start with the space you have and what you need from it. The right console table can then do more than fill a gap.

Explore our Console Tables and find a piece that makes sense for your space.