A console table is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture in a home. Whether placed in an entryway, living room, bedroom, or hallway, it can act as a functional surface, a decorative centrepiece, or both. Here’s a simple and practical guide on how to style a console table beautifully — along with some inspiration from The House of Things collection.
1. Choose the Right Console Table as Your Base
Before styling, pick a console table that suits the room’s size, style, and purpose. Here are a few standout options from The House of Things:
Khator Khura Console — A handcrafted piece with a striking checkered inlay using reclaimed teak, walnut, and wenge. This brings a rich, warm texture and a story to your space.
Sesame Console — Designed by Sage Living, this console is elegant and minimal. It works particularly well in modern, clean-lined interiors.
Anica Console Table — A bold and sculptural piece by Mana Collective. Its form makes a strong visual statement, so you can keep the styling minimal around it.
Kohrab Inlay Console Table — A detailed inlay console that brings handcrafted charm. Ideal when you want a console to feel like a fine piece of decor.
These tables are not just functional — they are design pieces on their own. Once you have the right console, you can use the following styling tips to bring it to life.
2. Think About the Placement and Purpose
Entryway: Use the console table as a drop zone for keys, mail, or sunglasses.
Living Room: It can serve as a display surface for art, at the back of a sofa, or even to hold decorative books and a lamp.
Bedroom: Styled with a tray, some photos, or a small mirror, it becomes a chic vanity or storage surface.
Hallway: Since hallways are typically narrow, keep the styling light — a tall vase, a bowl, and a mirror usually do the trick.
3. Create Visual Balance with Height and Layers
One of the most important styling tricks is to layer objects at varying heights. This gives your console table depth and makes the display more interesting. Designers often recommend using:
Tall pieces (lamp or vase)
Medium-height decor (books, picture frames)
Low objects (bowl, tray, small sculpture)
According to design experts, this “different skyline” keeps your table from looking flat or cluttered.
For example: On the Khator Khura Console, you could place a tall ceramic vase with dried branches on one side, a stack of two or three design books in the middle, and a small decorative bowl or candle on the other side.
4. Use a Tray or Decorative Bowl for Functionality
A tray or bowl helps in corralling small items like keys or loose change, making your console both pretty and practical.
Use a tray to group smaller items, which reduces clutter.
Use a bowl for more organic, floating arrangements (like potpourri or decorative stones).
On the Sesame Console, for instance, a sleek metal tray could anchor a few curated objects without disrupting the clean lines of the design.
5. Add Lighting or Greenery to Bring Life
Lighting: A lamp adds warmth and creates a focal point. Designers often recommend pairing a console with either a single lamp or a pair of lamps for symmetry.
Greenery: Plants or fresh flowers add life and softness. Even a small potted plant or a vase with branches can make your console feel more welcoming.
For the sculptural Anica Console Table, a minimalist lamp with clean lines might be perfect, along with a small pot of fiddle leaf or a succulent to contrast its bold form.
6. Add a Mirror or Artwork Behind It
Hanging something on the wall behind your console immediately elevates the look.
A large mirror can reflect light, making the space feel bigger and more open.
Art or a framed photo can anchor the console and give visual weight to the setup. Designers advise creating a “theme” or cohesive feel by matching the colors or shapes of the wall art with items on the table.
Alternatively, lean a framed piece on the console instead of hanging it — this relaxed styling adds personality.
If you choose a mirror for the Kohrab Inlay Console Table, pick a frame that complements the inlay design (like a subtle wood or brass) so nothing competes visually.
7. Use Baskets or Storage Beneath (If Available)
Many console tables offer space underneath, either as open shelving or a bottom tray. Use this space for:
Woven or fabric baskets, great for storing essentials while adding texture.
Books or magazines,f stack them neatly to fill the space without making it look messy.
On a console with a lower shelf, a basket can hide clutter while still keeping things accessible.
8. Keep a Consistent Colour Palette
Stick to 2–3 colors or tones when decorating your console. Too many different colors can make it look busy, while a limited palette feels intentional and elegant.
For example:
With the earthy tones of the Khator Khura Console, use muted greens (plant), neutral creams (vase), and warm browns (books).
For the Sesame Console, you can go for monochrome styling — maybe black, white, and a metallic accent for a sleek, modern feel.
9. Layer for Texture and Variety
Use a mix of textures — ceramic, metal, wood, glass — to make the console styling rich and engaging.
Some ideas:
A ceramic vase + a metal tray + stacked books.
A glass candle holder + a woven basket beneath.
A sculptural object (stone or resin) + a book stack + a plant.
This layering helps the display feel both curated and warm.
10. Refresh Seasonally
Your console table doesn’t need to be static. You can refresh it seasonally:
Spring/summer: Add fresh flowers, light-colored accessories, or a bright tray.
Autumn/winter: Swap in a candle, dried branches, or a cozy decorative item.
Festive occasions: Use decorative ornaments, small lanterns, or framed festive prints.
Swapping a few pieces according to the season keeps the console table looking lively and relevant without needing a full redesign.
11. Edit and Declutter Frequently
Less is more. It’s easy to go overboard when styling a console. But according to design advice, you should:
Avoid overcrowding one side — distribute items evenly to create balance.
Keep just a few meaningful pieces rather than filling every inch.
Re-evaluate once every few weeks or months: remove what’s not working, add what feels fresh.
Final Thoughts
Styling a console table is part art, part function. With the right base piece — like the Khator Khura, Sesame, Anica, or Kohrab consoles from The House of Things — you already have a beautiful foundation. Then, by layering objects, balancing height, adding light or greenery, and being mindful of the color palette, you can create a console setup that feels intentional, elegant, and tailored to your space.
Whether it’s in the entryway, greeting guests, behind the sofa, adding character, or in the bedroom, delighting your eyes every morning, a well-styled console table brings charm and personality to any room.
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