I remember the first time I bought a console table—I didn’t even know what it was actually called. I just knew I needed “that skinny table thing” behind the couch because the space felt… well, awkward. Turns out, console tables are like the Swiss Army knife of furniture. Narrow, versatile, and sneakily stylish.
Whether you’re placing it behind the sofa, along a hallway, or at the entryway, you’ll want to measure before you buy. Been there, tried to squeeze a chunky farmhouse piece into a space meant for a sleek minimal one. It stuck out so bad we called it “The Toe Bruiser.” Look for a console that’s about 30–36 inches tall, and no deeper than 15 inches if you’re short on space.
Matching the table to your home’s aesthetic matters more than you’d think. Mid-century legs in a modern glam room? Eh… it can work, but you’ll be fighting the vibe. Trust me, pick a style and stick to it—unless you’re intentionally going eclectic, which is a whole fun thing on its own.
Styling Foundations – The Rule of Thirds and Height Variation
Let me just say, I used to be the king of flat decorating. Everything on my console table was low and… blah. I didn’t realize how important height variation and spacing were until I saw a photo of my own entry and thought, “Why does this look like a garage sale?”
One trick that helped me instantly? The Rule of Thirds. Mentally divide your table into three zones—left, center, right. Each section should have its own little scene: maybe a lamp on the left, a stack of books in the middle, and a vase with greenery on the right. Keep it balanced, but not matchy-matchy.
And about that height play—stack your coffee table books to boost smaller items, add tall branches or candlesticks, and don’t be afraid of some empty space. A little breathing room makes each piece pop more. It’s not clutter—it’s curated!
A glass lamp, ceramic vase, and tapered candles give this console a modern organic feel. The bottom shelf holds a woven basket and books, blending style with storage. (@gardentradingcompany).
The tabletop is kept simple with a couple of leafy plants, letting the floral drawer fronts do the talking. It’s a great example of using greenery to complement bold furniture.
This console is styled with symmetry—matching baskets below and neutral-toned decor above. A mix of flowers, books, and framed art adds personality without overwhelming the space. (@the.stoneham).
The top of this elegant table features stacked vintage books, a golden skull, and lush potted plants. It’s a moody and curated setup that adds drama and depth. (@halchemydesign).
A patterned green table is topped with a potted plant, a reed diffuser, and a woven lantern for a relaxed, layered look. The decor keeps things balanced while echoing the table’s playful style. (@cherubschalksinteriors).
Go-To Console Table Decor Elements
Lights
Lights are honestly a must. I used to think, “eh, there’s a ceiling light,” but nope—adding a lamp on the console makes everything feel cozy and intentional. If your house leans modern, go sleek and sculptural. Rustic? A lantern-style lamp totally fits the bill.
A black wooden console table, three baskets for storage, books, art and a bowl, a white table lamp and greenery branches in a vase.
A boho summer console with a mask, greenery and a cactus around it and a cat on it.
A bright fall or Thanksgiving console table with colorful fall leaves, fabric or plastic pumpkins and a lantern.
A chic console table with fake plastic and fabric pumpkins, white white blooms and a dried herb wreath over the table.
A chic white mid-century modern console table with a super colorful artwork, a bright upholstered ottoman and a green lamp for summer.
A clear glass console table, baskets with jars, books, succulents, an Easter tree in a large vase and a mirror in an ornated frame.
A cozy neutral Thanksgiving console table with lots of natural and faux pumpkins, greenery, candles and signs.
Family Pictures
Now let’s talk family pictures. I never thought to add personal photos until a friend said my entryway felt “too staged.” Yikes. So I popped in a couple of frames with goofy smiles and candid moments. Suddenly the space felt like home.
A fall farmhouse console table with white pumpkins, pillows and greenery in pots, with a vintage window frame and a leaf wreath on it.
A farmhouse console table with a wooden countertop, much greenery in baskets and boxes, vintage botanical posters.
A farmhouse whitewashed console with green whitewashed pumpkins, greenery, wire baskets and lamps.
A lovely modern farmhouse console table of wood, baskets with pillows, multiple candles, a chic lamp with a glass base and a vase with leaves.
A mid-century modern table in blue lacquer finish with drawers, greenery in a clear vase, a bowl, a stack of books and a mirror of a very catchy shape.
Flowers And Succulents
And then there are plants and florals—my favorite part! Fresh flowers smell divine but honestly, succulents are the real MVP. Low maintenance and they always look good. If you’ve got zero light, faux is totally okay. I’ve had the same faux eucalyptus for years and it fools everyone.
A minimalist acrylic console table, wooden stools, a geometric vase with greenery and a large mirror as a statement piece.
A minimalist console table with a vase with greenery, a wicker catch-all, a basket planter under the console.
A modern black console table, a candelabra with multiple candles, a potted plant, a hexagon mirror, a stool and a woven bag with pillows.
A modern farmhouse console table, faceted candleholders, a brass lamp with a black lampshade, a hexagon mirror and some art.
A modern metal and wood console table, potted plants, grass in a vase, some candleholders, a box and a basket plus a very eye-catchy floor lamp.
A modern sleek light-stained console table, neutral poufs, matching lamps, an oversized mirror and blooming branches in the vase.
An Anchor
Don’t forget an anchor—like a big mirror or painting to ground the whole setup. I’ve got this round mirror above mine that makes the space feel double its size. And finally, asymmetry. Once I got brave enough to ditch symmetry, things got way more interesting. I stacked books on one side, had a tall lamp on the other, and snuck in a tiny dish for keys in the middle. Boom. Styled like a pro.
A neutral fall console table with white natural and faux pumpkins, wheat, leaves and printed pillows.
A refined contemporary space with a wood slab console table, lots of greenery branches in a vase, a black artwork, books and an oversized mirror.
A rough wood console table, a round mirror in a black frame, white hydrangeas, a catchy lamp and a carved wood artwork for a cozy rustic look.
A simple summer console, greenery in a jar, baskets and a blue lampshade for an airy and serene look.
A simple Thanksgiving console table with a plaid blanket, white pumpkins, bright painted ones and a candle.
A small mid-century modern console table, a brass frame mirror, a lamp with a driftwood base, a potted plant, some art and a basket.
A straw console table, blue flowers, large shells, greenery and a blue chair for a beach feel.
Asymmetrical Decor
If you aren’t sure about placing objects, go for symmetrical decor as it always works. Asymmetrical combinations can be tricky to nail down, so to speak, but when executed right, they can be equally appealing as the above arrangement, sometimes even more. The ideal placing dictates to have shorter items to one side and taller ones on the other and small accessories in between to bridge the distance. Now you know everything that you need to style your console table like a pro, get inspired by ready ideas below!
A stylish farmhouse light-stained console table, a round mirror, greenery branches in a large jar, a lamp with a blue printed lampshade and a basket under the table.
A summer console with an abstract artwork, baskets, elegant white table lamps and greenery for a cozy feel.
A summer console with baskets around, a wooden sculpture, greenery and vintage botanical artworks.
A super bright neon green console with a birdcage candle holder, greenery, a bold artwork and a basket with colorful textiles.
A vintage farmhouse console table with chevron baskets, natural pumpkins stacked on each other and fall leaves in a vase.
A vintage rustic console with laser cut pumpkins and a porcelain one, a candle lantern and a basket with cotton branches.
A white farmhouse console table with lots of potted greenery, a faux stand with lemons and greenery, whitewashed window frames, a bright faux flower wreath and blankets and pillows.
A whitewashed metal console table, a gallery wall of vintage biology posters, potted plants, books, rubber boots and a bucket with faux cherry blossom.
A wooden bowl with fresh greenery and moss balls and a greenery wreath on the mirror for a beautiful spring farmhouse look.
A wooden trestle leg console with a potted plant, some baskets under the console and a couple of elegant lamps plus a round mirror.
An acrylic console table with a bold artwork, bright blooms, some finds from trips, bright blooms in a vintage vase for an inspiring entryway.
An encrusted console table, colorful books, tropical artworks over the table and hammered metal ottomans.
Beautiful fall console table styling with faux pumpkins, a black vase with dark foliage, burgundy candles, a mirror in a gold frame and baskets with pillows and pumpkins.
simple and natural Thanksgiving styling with real pumpkins, a foliage arrangement in a clear vase and chevron baskets.
White tulips in a jug, moss balls, potted greenery and some faux pears for a rustic look.
Small Space Styling – Narrow Halls, Apartments, & Entryways
I lived in a tiny apartment once where the “entryway” was basically a shoe mat and a hope. But I was determined to squeeze in a console table. I ended up using a wall-mounted floating shelf—just 6 inches deep—and styled it like it was a million bucks. It was narrow, yes, but it gave me a drop spot for keys and still looked intentional.
If you’re in a small space, go vertical. I added a tall mirror, a skinny vase with some dried flowers, and a mini basket underneath for shoes. Don’t underestimate those under-console nooks—they’re perfect for storing umbrellas or tucking in a little stool or bench.
And lighting? Vital. I added battery-operated puck lights under a shelf because I didn’t have a plug nearby. Game. Changer. The whole setup looked warm and cozy instead of cramped and chaotic.
Conclusion
So there you have it—console table styling demystified. I used to stare at mine like it was mocking me… just a lonely table collecting keys and dust. But once I learned a few basics—like how to anchor it, layer different heights, and throw in a bit of personality—it started to feel like an actual part of my home. Not just a space-filler.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Seriously. Some of my favorite console setups happened when I stopped trying so hard and just played around. Move stuff, swap things out, test a mirror here, toss a branch there. You’ll know when it feels right—when it makes you smile as you walk past it.
And if you’re ever stuck? Light it up, add a plant, and throw in a photo or two. Works like magic every time. Happy styling, friend!