Do you have an awkward, empty wall or a floating sofa that feels like it’s missing something? Enter the console table. A console table is a long, slim piece of furniture designed to sit flush against a wall or back up against a sofa. Because it takes up significantly less floor space than a sideboard, it’s the ultimate multitasking piece, perfect for dropping keys in the entryway, displaying lamps in the living room, or adding storage to a tight hallway.
What Is a Console Table and How Is It Different?
A console table stands taller than a coffee table and sits shallower than a sideboard. Most have a single top on four legs or a solid base. Some add a lower shelf or one or two drawers.
Here is how it compares to the pieces people confuse it with:
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Coffee table: about 16 to 18 inches high, placed in front of a sofa.
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Sofa table: the same piece as a console, named for where it goes.
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Sideboard: deeper, with closed cabinets for dining storage.
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Console table: tall and shallow, mostly open, built for display and as a drop spot.
Standard Console Table Sizes
Measure before you shop. These are the ranges you will see most often:
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Height: 28 to 34 inches, with 30 inches the most common.
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Depth: 12 to 20 inches for standard models.
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Length: 36 to 72 inches, sometimes longer.
A narrow console table runs about 8 to 12 inches deep. That depth suits tight hallways and the space behind a sofa that floats in the middle of a room.
For scale, the Alto Console Table measures 71 inches wide, 20 inches deep, and 30 inches high. It has a distressed oak veneer top over MDF, supported by antique brass iron legs. A table that long belongs on a big living room wall or behind a large sofa, not in a small foyer. Sizes vary a lot between models, so check the dimensions on each product page.
Entryway Console Table: Size and Placement
The entry is where most people put their first console. An entryway console table needs room to walk past with grocery bags, so plan for about 36 inches of clear floor between its front edge and the nearest wall, stair, or door swing.
To size one for your entry:
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Measure the wall and leave at least 6 inches of open wall on each side.
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Measure from the wall to the nearest obstacle and subtract 36 inches. What is left is your maximum depth.
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Check which way the front door and any closet doors open.
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Note outlets and light switches so a lamp cord reaches and the table does not block a switch.
Drawers earn their place here. Keys, sunglasses and dog leashes go inside, and the top stays clear. A lower shelf holds a basket for shoes or winter mitts.
Console Table Behind Couch: Height and Length
A sofa that floats in an open room shows its back to everyone walking in. A table behind it covers that view and gives you a spot for a lamp and a drink.
The most common mistake with a console table behind couch setups is buying one that is too tall. Use these measurements:
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Height: level with the top of the sofa back, or 1 to 2 inches lower. Measure at the highest point of the back.
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Length: about two-thirds of the sofa length, and never longer than the sofa.
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Depth: 10 to 14 inches, so the sofa does not get pushed into the room.
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Walkway: keep about 30 to 36 inches of clear floor behind the table.
Console Table Styles and Materials
The material decides how a console looks, how heavy it is, and how much care it needs.
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Wood or wood veneer: warm and easy to pair with most sofas. Wipe with a soft, damp cloth and dry it right away.
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Metal base with a wood or stone top: reads lighter, which helps in smaller rooms.
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Glass: almost disappears in a tight space, but shows fingerprints and dust.
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Marble or stone top: heavy and hard-wearing. Stone is porous, so use coasters and reseal it as the maker recommends.
Open legs keep a small entry feeling roomier. A solid base or drawers gives you hidden storage.
How to Style a Console Table
Most advice on how to style a console table overcomplicates it. Work in this order:
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Hang a mirror or art first. Aim for a width of two-thirds to three-quarters of the table length, with the bottom edge 6 to 10 inches above the top.
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Add height at one end with a table lamp or a tall vase.
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Put something low in the middle, like a tray, a stack of books or a bowl for keys.
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Use the space underneath for baskets, a pair of stools or a small bench.
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Leave about a third of the top empty.
Console table decor in an entry should do a job first: a catch-all tray, a lamp on a timer, a small plant. In a living room, console table decor can lean toward books, ceramics and framed photos.
Slim tables on legs can tip if a child climbs on them or pulls at a drawer. Health Canada advises securing furniture to the wall with angle braces, anchors or safety straps.
Other Rooms Where a Console Table Works
While it is most famous for serving as a catch-all in the entryway, a well-chosen console table is incredibly versatile. It can easily elevate other rooms in your home, too.
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Dining room: a serving surface on holidays, or a stand-in where a sideboard will not fit.
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Bedroom: a slim desk or vanity under a window, if there is knee room underneath.
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Hallway or stair landing: a narrow ledge for a lamp and a few photos.
Pick a Console That Fits Your Wall on the First Try
The answer to what is a console table is simple. Choosing the right one takes three measurements: the wall width, the depth you can spare, and the sofa back height if it goes behind a couch.
The design team at Iconic Living offers a complimentary design consultation, and you can book an appointment to go over sizes and finishes for your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Style a Console Table?
Start with a mirror or artwork centred above it. Add a lamp or tall vase on one end, a tray or books in the middle, and baskets or stools underneath. Leave part of the top clear.
What Size Console Table Is Best for an Entryway?
Keep 36 inches of walkway clear and 6 inches of wall on each side. In most entries, that means 10 to 14 inches deep and 36 to 48 inches long. A wide foyer can take 60 inches or more.
How Deep Is a Narrow Console Table?
Most are 8 to 12 inches deep. Anything under 10 inches works in a tight hallway. Check that your lamp base fits the top before you buy.
What Do You Put on a Console Table for Decor?
A lamp, a mirror or art above, a tray for keys, a few books, and a plant or vase. Three to five pieces is usually enough.
How Tall Should a Console Table Be Behind a Couch?
Match the height of the sofa back or go 1 to 2 inches lower. Most sofa backs sit around 30 to 34 inches, so most consoles for this spot run 28 to 32 inches.
