25 Ways to Decorate a Console Table

Is there any piece of furniture more versatile than the console table?  It’s the perfect height behind a sofa for placing lamps, and in the hallway to make it the drop station for keys.  It can serve as a spot for extra serving dishes in the dining room, or function as a vanity in the bedroom when there is a mirror above it.  In the family room, you can use it to store media underneath a television set, or tuck a stool under it for a convenient laptop desk.  With a narrow surface, it’s too small to be a serious work surface but big enough to be a fantastic spot to decorate.

Small surfaces, like console tables, are the perfect places to really insert personality in your home.  Instead of letting your console table get filled up with odds and ends of household clutter, put a little thought into what goes on there.  There are a number of ways to do this, but I’ve chosen five techniques to share with you today:  symmetry, asymmetry, collections, functionality, and color.

Symmetry -

You can never go wrong with a symmetrical display.  But try to keep it from getting boring.  Try adding different textures and vary the heights of the items.  and don’t underestimate the power of fresh or very nice looking fake flowers and plants.

Lovely Symmetrical arrangement! | Design Crush

 City Apartment | Phoebe Howard

 Chic Magenta, simple design, but the layered patterns and bright pops of magenta pack a punch for sure! | Flashdecor

The center items on this table aren’t perfectly symmetrical but the repeated elements for the art works and graphic vases,  really speak symmetry to me.  | Featured on Remodelaholic

Again the strong elements in this space make the display feel very symmetrical.   And who doesn’t love the punch of yellow?! | Pinterest

Traditionally Fresh | Perfectly Imperfect Life

Neutrals | Phoebe Howard

Family Storage | Red Door Home

 Asymmetry- 

The trick to asymmetry is balance.   You don’t want both sides to be the same but you want the to visually balance each other out. there are several ways to accomplish this look.  By using a splash of the same color on either side, to help your eye travel from side to side easily.   Also keep in mind the general heights of items, you don’t want them all to be the same height.   You want the items to vary.

Pottery Barn 

Notice the small pops of yellow on either side of this very sparsely decorated table.  It really helps to allow your eye to travel easily from side to side.  |  Featured at Remodelaholic

Classic Meets Contemporary | The Zhush 

Organic Glamour | The Zhush 

Short and Tall Clusters |  Bower Power 

Vintage Charm | Better Homes and Gardens  

Distressed Buffet | Tip Junkie 

  Collections-

So i collect something strange… hand sculptures.  It started with me inheriting two of the first carvings my father ever made of hands, and went from there!  So no, I’m not crazy, but collections can be a fun way to “grab” (get it- hands) someone’s attention, and are a great way to start a conversation about something you love.

Leaf Collection | Elizabeth Kimberly

Layered Entry Table, I love this.  I have to admit I love the organic way this has evolved and the un-staged nature of the decorating makes it feel like it will keep evolving over time.    The clips on the peg board are an open invitation for interesting items to be constantly on display and changing often.  If you’re a clean freak, I guess this wouldn’t work, but I LOVE the quirkiness of the display for sure. | Pinterest

Gallery Wall | 320 Sycamore

 Decorative Plate Collage – Never forget the wall behind the console table.  i love how this wall takes advantage of the interesting shape of the console table.  And since I have a dish fetish I REALLY love this wall.  Besides this is one of my favorite sites for doll patterns…. be sure to check it out! |  Mmm Crafts

 Aqua Accents | Decorpad via Marcus Design

Posh Pieces | House Beautiful

Functionality

Don’t forget that it is best to have an item be both beautiful and functional.  In an entry for example a console table is the perfect place to collect and display you sun glasses and keys.  It can also be a great place to collect mail (in a fashionable basket)  or magazines in baskets.  While you may immediately think of decorating the top of a console table, don’t forget to think about the real estate below the table.  

A great example of smart storage underneath the table, check out this table at Pottery Barn.

A mirror is always a great functional piece to hang above a console table especially in an  entry or mudroom.   To make sure you’ve got you makeup on before you step out the door….  |  Design Sponge

Skirted Storage, is a great idea for adding storage and style.  | Better Homes and Gardens

Metropolitan Console Table, can you tell I love books in baskets?  I have them in my house now and in my last house and I like to show pictures of them on my blog.  There are several reasons I like this idea.  It is a great way to collect magazines or misc books in one confined loacation.  If you fill the basket, it is time to let some of those books or magazines go to the next person.  Additionally  I LOVE the added texture of a woven basket, and adding layers of texture to any room should never be overlooked.  |  Pottery Barn 

Entryway Organizer, never overlook the console talbe as being a command center for your home.  It is always good to havea  central location for those items you tend to lose, wollets, keys, cell phones.  Just make a plan for organization, and let all the family members know the plan to help you keep things in order. | Martha Stewart

Front Door Drop Zone,  Sometimes a drawer in that console talbe can be just as important as the decor on tip, if it means you will keep the drop off zone clean!  Something to consider when buying  or building a piece of furniture for a busy location. |  Better Homes and Gardens

Hideaway Printer | PBJ Stories

Love the vintage suitcases for added storage in a really stylish way, no need to hide them, instead let them  be a focal point.  | Pinterest 

Color-

Is there anything I love more than color right now?  Well, duh my family yes, but really one of the things that is making me SO happy right now is color, lots of it layered in unexpected ways.    One of my all time favorite design quotes  is that (and I am paraphrasing, “Color’s don’t clash they vibrate.”  I really love that idea.  I sort of love to make things kinda clash too… but maybe that is just me!

 Poppies and Teal | All Things Thrifty

Colorful Entryway_ I love everything about this space.  I love the gold pulls on the blue dresser, the picture of the Mesa LDS Temple, the primitive sculpture, the lime green picture mats and the red lamp shade.  If this were in my entry, I think it would feel like my house was giving me a hug to welcome me home whenever I walked in the door. | Little Green Notebook

I love the idea of opening up an entry closet as a plce for a console table.  I think that is a huge part of the fun of remodeling for me,thinking of new ways to  create the spaces you need for the way you like to live in an imperfect space.   | Fifi Cheek

 Color Statement – Hello lovely walls, nice to meet you, and what a great dark door you have.  But beyond that, did you notice the BRIGHT yellow table ( I super- heart- love yellow right now!!!)   Don’t forget to consider the actual piece of furniture for your pop of color in  a space, and be sure not to be too conservative in your color pallete. | Design Sponge

Subtlety | The Every Girl

 What are some great tips you’ve used to decorate a console table?