12 Ways to Style Dining Tables With Console Tables

The simplest way to style a dining table with a console table is to treat the console as the dining table’s working partner: place it against the nearest wall, keep it slightly lower than or level with the table top, and give it a clear job such as serving, lighting or display. When the console has a purpose, the whole dining area feels considered rather than furnished.

A slim console takes up very little floor space, which makes it a sensible choice for the narrower dining rooms and kitchen diners found in so many UK homes. Below are twelve ways to make the pairing work, from layout decisions to the finishing touches that pull a room together.

1. Use the Console as a Serving Station

The most practical role for a console in a dining room is as a buffet. Positioned within arm’s reach of the table, it holds serving bowls, a bread board or a cheese plate so the table itself stays clear for plates and glasses. For this to work, allow roughly 90cm between the back of the dining chairs and the front of the console. That leaves room for someone to pull out a chair while another person reaches for the gravy.

Keep the surface mostly empty day to day. A pair of trivets, a folded stack of linen napkins and a single lamp are enough. When guests arrive, you have an instant sideboard without needing a bulky piece of furniture.

2. Match the Height Thoughtfully

Most dining tables sit at around 75cm high, while consoles typically range from about 75cm to 85cm. A console that sits a little higher than the table reads as a backdrop, which suits a formal setting. One at the same height creates a continuous line that feels calm and contemporary. Avoid a console that is much lower than the table top, as it tends to look like an afterthought and is awkward to serve from.

3. Echo a Material, Not Everything

Matching sets have their place, but the rooms that feel most relaxed usually repeat one material rather than all of them. If your table has an oak top, a console with an oak frame and a glass or marble top will connect the two without looking like a showroom display. Browse our modern console tables UK range with this in mind: pick the finish you want to echo first, then choose the shape.

The same principle applies in reverse. A glass dining table with chrome legs pairs well with a console that shares the chrome detail but introduces warmth through a wooden shelf.

4. Place It Behind the Sofa in an Open Plan Room

In open plan spaces, the console can mark the edge where the living area ends and the dining area begins. Set it against the back of the sofa, facing the dining table, and it becomes a soft divider. Lamps on the console light both zones in the evening, and the surface catches the things that would otherwise land on the dining table: post, keys, a laptop that needs a temporary home.

This works best when the console is the same length as the sofa or slightly shorter. Anything longer than the sofa will look like it is floating in the room.

5. Build Symmetry for a Formal Look

If you entertain often or have a separate dining room, symmetry is a reliable way to create a sense of occasion. Centre the console on the wall facing the table, then place matching lamps or candlesticks at each end. A mirror or piece of art hung centrally above ties the arrangement together. The dining table then sits on the same central axis, which makes the room feel ordered and calm.

Pairing a formal console with one of our wooden dining tables UK sale pieces in a darker stain, such as walnut, gives the room a traditional weight without feeling heavy, especially if the walls are kept light.

6. Go Asymmetric for Everyday Dining

For kitchen diners and family spaces, a looser arrangement often feels more natural. Try a tall lamp at one end of the console, a low bowl in the middle and a stack of books at the other. Lean a piece of art against the wall rather than hanging it. The effect is less staged and easier to change with the seasons.

The rule of thumb is to vary heights. One tall item, one medium and one low will always look more settled than three items of the same size.

7. Hang a Mirror to Stretch the Room

A mirror above the console does two things in a dining room: it bounces light around a space that may only have one window, and it makes the room feel deeper. Hang it so the bottom edge sits around 15cm to 25cm above the console surface, close enough that the two read as one composition. Our wall mirrors UK collection includes round, rectangular and arched shapes, and each gives a slightly different mood.

Round mirrors soften the straight lines of a rectangular dining table. A tall arched mirror adds height to rooms with standard ceilings.

8. Light the Console Separately

A pendant over the dining table gives focused light for eating, but it can feel harsh on its own. Adding lamps to the console creates a second layer of light at a lower level, which is far more flattering for long dinners. Choose modern table lamps UK designs with fabric or opal glass shades so the light spreads gently rather than pooling.

Put the lamps on a dimmer or smart plug if you can. Being able to lower them independently of the pendant makes the room feel entirely different once the plates are cleared.

9. Mind the Depth

Depth is often overlooked. A console that is too deep will narrow the walkway around the dining table and make the room feel crowded. In most UK dining rooms, a console between 30cm and 40cm deep is enough to hold a lamp and a few serving dishes. If your room is especially tight, look for designs around 25cm deep, or wall mounted options that leave the floor visible beneath.

Seeing floor under furniture makes a room feel larger, so consoles on slender legs are a sensible choice for compact spaces.

10. Add Storage Below

A console with a lower shelf, or with a pair of baskets tucked beneath, gives you somewhere to keep table linen, placemats and candles. Everything you need to set the table is then within reach. Keep the baskets in a natural material such as rattan or seagrass so they add texture without competing with the table.

If you need more storage than a console can hold, it may be worth considering a sideboard instead. The styling principles are the same, but the extra cupboard space suits families who keep crockery in the dining area.

11. Bring in Greenery

A single large stem in a tall vase, or a trailing plant spilling over the edge of the console, brings life to the dining area without cluttering the table itself. This matters because dining tables are working surfaces. Keeping the main floral display on the console means you can lay the table fully for guests without having to find somewhere to move a centrepiece.

Choose plants suited to the light in your room. North facing dining rooms, common in terraced houses, will suit shade tolerant plants rather than those that need direct sun.

12. Keep the Surface Edited

The final idea is restraint. A console styled with too many objects quickly becomes a dumping ground, and the connection with the dining table is lost. Choose three to five items, leave clear space between them, and review the arrangement every few months. If something no longer earns its place, move it elsewhere.

A well edited console gives the eye somewhere to rest, which in turn makes the dining table feel more generous.

Getting the Proportions Right

Before buying, measure the wall where the console will sit and the distance from that wall to the edge of the dining table. As a general guide, the console should be no longer than about two thirds of the wall, and there should be enough space between the table and console for chairs to move freely. If you are working with a small room, a round dining table paired with a narrow console often gives the best circulation because there are no corners to walk around.

It is also worth considering how often you use each piece. If the console will mainly be decorative, prioritise its looks and proportions. If it will be a working serving surface, a hard wearing top such as glass, ceramic or sealed wood will stand up better to hot dishes and spills.

Bringing the Look Together

A console table is one of the most adaptable pieces you can add to a dining area. It gives you serving space, light, display and a little storage in a footprint that fits even modest rooms. At Furniture in Fashion we design our dining and occasional ranges to work together, so you can match finishes or mix them with confidence. We provide free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, which makes it easier to build the room gradually, piece by piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far should a console table be from a dining table?

Aim for around 90cm between the back of the dining chairs, when tucked in, and the front of the console. This lets people pull chairs out and move around the table comfortably. In very tight rooms, 75cm is workable, though it will feel snug when everyone is seated.

Should a console table match my dining table?

It does not need to match exactly. Repeating one element, such as the wood tone, metal finish or leg shape, is usually enough to connect the two. A small contrast often looks more considered than an exact match.

Can I use a console table instead of a sideboard in a dining room?

Yes. A console gives you a serving surface and display space in a much slimmer footprint. It will not give you as much enclosed storage, so it suits homes where crockery and linen are kept in the kitchen.

What should I put on a console table in a dining room?

A lamp or pair of lamps, a mirror or art above, a vase with greenery and one or two practical items such as a tray for serving. Leave enough clear surface to set down dishes when you need to.