I usually host a monthly Q&A session on my Instagram stories where anyone can ask me any decor related queries they might have. One of the the questions I got on that recently was how to style a console table. Though I did answer it in a few short sentences, it got me thinking.

How To Style A Console Table

Firstly, that styling a console table isn’t that difficult. I have shared 50+ pics with you in this post, and you’ll see that there are just a handful of concepts that are followed every time.

Secondly, that these very easy concepts are better explained in pictures than words. And so this post today on how to style a console table. Let’s get to all the very easy ideas very quickly.

How To Style A Console Table

Start Simple

First things first. Any console or sideboard that you are styling will most likely have an empty wall above it. The first step would be to create a focal point there. The simplest way to do that is to place a mirror or artwork above your console. Make sure this is in proportion to the size of the console.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Next you start with the console itself. If you are unsure of what and how much to put, start simple.

A single, crystal candelabrum right in the centre of the console above makes for ‘simply’ beautiful styling.

A single large plant on one end works just as well.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

If using smaller items, use a collection of them. Remember, you can rarely go wrong with sets of three.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Make sure that the three are of varying height. If at least one of the three can be something organic – a plant, flowers, dried flowers or stems – it’s an added bonus!

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Or use both ends of the table to create a simple, symmetrical vignette.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

A pair of identical lamps is an easy go-to.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

And the ‘something organic’ will always up the style quotient.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Style The Console Symmetrically

If you were to ask me how to style a console, my first answer would be, “Symmetrically”. Because that’s quite the easiest way to do it.

And as we’ve seen above, using identical lamps on either side is a great way to start. Here below is a great example of how to add height to a space. A slender console with well defined, vertical legs, two tall and slender lamps and artwork piled on top of each other, again in a tall, slender fashion. Notice also, how the symmetry is continued below the console with two identical stools placed there.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Now you can begin to add layers to your symmetry. Like these pair of candles to go next to the lamps on either side.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

An oval shaped mirror to add interest here, along with fresh flowers in silverware for the ‘something organic’.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Our candelabra and silverware, both get more elaborate. And notice the addition of the fourth layer with the silver birds.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

This doesn’t mean that you can’t style a console without lamps. It’s just a pair of birds here, with a large arrangement of orchids in the centre. Notice how you can use a really large centre piece when you have a mirror behind it. The mirror reflects the centre piece and adds more depth to the space.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

While if you’re have a piece of art on the wall, I would keep the centre piece low so as not to cover it.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Don’t want to use decoratives? See how the speakers and player of this sound system have been laid out symmetrically to style this unit. Notice how the books too, are stacked almost symmetrically in the shelves below.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can make your symmetry as ‘complicated’ as you like. Add on layers of artwork on the walls and decoratives on your console on either side.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

As you get braver, you can also begin to experiment with what you use as decor, both on the walls and on your console.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Add On An Asymmetrical Element

Going symmetrical is really easy, and almost a no brainer. You can’t really go wrong. But you don’t necessarily have all your decor in pairs. Allowing yourself to place an odd item here and there gives you more flexibility with your styling.

So keep the symmetrical artwork and a pair of lamps, and a centre piece… and then a bunch of flowers to one side maybe?

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Make your centre piece asymmetrical as in this arrangement.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Or do away with a centre piece. A flower arrangement on one side, balanced nicely by a flat bowl on the other.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Remember how we styled this crockery cabinet? We have a single box on one side, and a triad of books, candle and planter on the other.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Here the symmetrically laid out artwork and lamps are given an ‘off’ with the tall dried stems on one side and a shorter plant on the other. Also, there’s nothing symmetrical about the centre piece.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

The symmetry of this entire vignette, right down to the chairs on either side, is broken only by the three elements on the console.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

When adding asymmetrical items, remember to vary the heights to keep it visually interesting.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Also remember to maintain a visual balance in spite of the asymmetry, so that neither side looks ‘heavier’ or ‘lighter’ than the other.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Style The Console Asymmetrically

I can see your confidence growing with every word you read and every picture you see. So how about trying your hand at asymmetrical styling now?

To start with, let’s keep the mirror or artwork in the centre. As I share more pics, notice how most of the asymmetrical styling is done in the shape of this sideways ‘V’.

Source

We’re still going to use the same decor elements – lamps, books, candles, flowers and plants. Only we’ll be using them singly and not in pairs.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

A lamp on one side and a plant on the other works beautifully around the mirror on this side board.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

While a plant and candle work on either side of the mirror here. I’ve further added to the asymmetry by placing a tall plant on the floor to one side. The height of this plant, is taller than the tall side of the sideboard elements. And so placing it along the short side helps balance this set up. The smallest element, the magazine rack, is on the tall side of the cabinet.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

The sideways zig-zag continues like this. Imagine the same set up with the tall plant and the magazine stand having swapped places, and it wouldn’t look as balanced.

A plant on one side with another layer of artwork on the other always work well too.

Source: Left | Right

You can also add a centre piece to your asymmetrical styling.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

The asymmetry can extend to the wall above the console too. Here we have stacked vertical pieces of art on the right of the mirror and a single piece to the left. The taller decor on the console is on the lighter side of the wall. The shorter decor on the console is along the heavier side of the wall. This gives the vignette the visual balance we’re looking for.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

A whole array of elements has been used to style this console, maintaining the visual balance.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Off Centered Focal Point

Another way to create asymmetry is to not have the focal point on the wall in the exact centre of your arrangement.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Or to not have a symmetrical focal point. These three paintings, for instance, are not arranged symmetrically. But notice how the tall lamp is placed on the opposite end of the sideboard from the tall side of the wall art to balance it.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Similarly, the oddly placed second mirror is balanced by the tall flowers on the opposite side of this console.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Styling Longer Consoles

The basics of how to style a console remain the same even when you are styling longer consoles and sideboards.

You could continue to stay simple. In case your artwork or mirrors are too small for the entire length of your console, use more than one.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

A symmetrical set up always works. All you have to do is spread it over the length of your console.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

You could go asymmetrical with your set up around the central focal point.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Or use an asymmetrically placed focal point like we did for regular consoles above.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Using Windows As Your Focal Point

Once again, the basic concepts of styling a console will remain the same, except here you have a window as your focal point instead of a mirror or a piece of art.

Doesn’t this remind you of the vertically styled console we saw right at the beginning of this post?

How To Style A Console Table

Source

This window works almost perfectly like a work of art.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

The drapes frame this window beautifully to make it the focal point for this console.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

You can even place a console in front of a window wall and style it similarly.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Using Architectural Elements As Your Focal Point

A niche in the wall makes a good focal point around which to style your console.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Don’t you just love the simplicity of this one?

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Wallpaper and a mirror has been used to make this niche a piece of art.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

While stenciling on a distressed finish has been used over here.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Styling A Console With No Focal Point

And then, you wonder how to style a console table with no focal point at all. For example, when styling a console behind a sofa.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Once again, you can keep the styling simple and symmetrical.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

Or choose to use asymmetrical elements.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

The same basics of keeping the visual balance will apply.

How To Style A Console Table

Source

And once you realise that, you’re suddenly not afraid of how to style a console table where ever it might be!

How To Style A Console Table

Source

I hope this post has removed any hesitation and fear you might have had about how to style a console table. They say a picture speaks a thousand words, which is why I have put in so many pictures in this post. Though every console and each space is so different, if you now go through the pictures again you’ll see the basic thread of similarity that runs through all of them.

And once you can see that, you realise this isn’t rocket science at all.

So brush off the doubt and get started. Start with the simplest steps and gradually build on them. And you’ll have your own pretty consoles set up in no time at all.

Let me know how it goes.

Rittika @ Ariyona Interior

How To Style A Console Table
Tagged on:                     

4 thoughts on “How To Style A Console Table

  • March 5, 2021 at 5:52 pm
    Permalink

    Such a wonderful post Rittika 👏👏the pictures with your eloquent explanation of them are very interesting and inspiring 👍

    Reply
  • March 3, 2021 at 7:47 pm
    Permalink

    Interesting, practical and simple ideas. Very do able.

    Reply
  • March 2, 2021 at 9:57 am
    Permalink

    This is such a unique and most engrossing post Rittika. It’s a post to be saved and referred to. Want to go through it several times. Very well curated.

    Reply
    • March 2, 2021 at 9:12 pm
      Permalink

      Thank you Rashi!

      Reply

What do you think?