Styling a console takes a light hand. Too many objects and the surface feels busy. Too few and it looks unfinished. The good news is that a small set of principles works in most British homes, whether the console sits in a hallway, a living room or a landing. We share these ideas with shoppers at Furniture in Fashion every week and have gathered the most useful ones here.
The wall behind the console sets the stage. A mirror reflects light and visually doubles the surface beneath. A piece of art adds colour and personality. A pair of framed prints introduces rhythm. Choose one of these as the anchor before bringing anything onto the table itself.
Most well styled consoles follow a simple visual rule. Group objects in three different heights to create movement for the eye. A tall vase, a medium stack of books and a small bowl give a balanced silhouette without feeling staged. Avoid lining objects up at the same height, which can flatten the look.
Layering means placing one object slightly in front of another. A small framed photograph in front of a larger artwork on the wall, a bowl resting on a stack of books, a candle beside a sculptural object. This builds a sense of depth that flat arrangements lack. Our glass console tables carry layered styling well, since the surface itself almost disappears.
A lamp brings warmth that no other object provides. A pair of small lamps creates symmetry, while a single sculptural lamp at one end gives a more relaxed feel. Choose a shade in linen, paper or pleated cotton for a softer glow, and place the lamp where it will not catch on a passing shoulder.
A vase of stems, a bowl of pebbles, a single trailing plant. Natural elements soften a console and pair well with hard finishes such as marble, glass and metal. Eucalyptus, grasses and dried branches last longer than fresh flowers and suit the calm editorial look found in many British home magazines.
A console becomes interesting when it shows something of the people who live there. A small ceramic from a holiday, a framed family photograph, a book that means something to you. These details lift the piece beyond a showroom display and make it feel rooted in the home.
The same console can shift through the year with small changes. A linen runner and pale stems for spring, a tray of shells for summer, a candle and dried foliage for autumn, evergreen sprigs for winter. These seasonal touches keep the surface feeling alive without rearranging the whole layout. Our wooden console tables take seasonal styling well, since their natural tone pairs with most palettes.
Empty surface is part of the design. A well styled console leaves room around objects so that each one is seen clearly. As a rough guide, fill no more than two thirds of the surface. The remaining third lets the table itself breathe and keeps the styling from tipping into clutter.
Combining textures adds interest without adding more objects. A smooth marble top with a rough linen runner, a glass top with a woven basket below, a high gloss finish with a matte ceramic. Our marble console tables sit at the centre of these contrasts comfortably.
A small palette of two or three colours running through the styled objects ties the surface together. A green vase, a green book spine and a soft green candle bring quiet rhythm. Bold colour also works in modest amounts, but tends to feel calmer when echoed at least twice on the surface. Our high gloss console tables reflect surrounding tones, which is helpful when planning a colour story.
A console rarely lands in its final form on day one. Walk past it for a few days, move things slightly, take a photograph and review it. Small adjustments often make the difference between a styled console and a settled one.
Three to seven well chosen pieces suit most consoles. The exact number depends on the size of the surface and the items themselves.
A mirror is a strong choice but not the only one. Artwork, a panel of prints or even a single sculptural object can work equally well.
A small refresh with the seasons keeps the piece feeling current. A full restyle every year or two helps the home evolve.
Not always. Dried stems, branches, a single plant or a beautifully shaped vase can all replace fresh flowers.
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