The Champion of Furniture
By Amelia Bell on
In the grand scheme of ‘tables’, most have a fairly clear objective, the clue's in the name: Dining tables, coffee tables, side tables, bedside tables, you get the drift!
Each table has a clear function, a job in your home that’s as invaluable as what goes on the tables themselves, but when it comes to our friend the console table, where are we?
This ultra-versatile table often flies under the radar when we're shopping for furniture, but this one truly is a home décor changing piece and we're here to show you how to use them to your advantage...
A bit of the history stuff...
The console table was first found in France (and they know their stuff when it comes to style!) as far back as the 17th century.
Typically situated in royal and aristocratic households, with King Louis XIV reportedly commissioning the first, they were highly ornate and attached to the wall with two metal brackets which were also detailed and decorated.
The name ‘console’ comes from the Latin ‘consolor’ meaning to alleviate or lighten which makes perfect sense given their original floating form.
Legs weren’t introduced until much later but the essence of the table remains – neat and narrow in design with ample surface space for all your trinkets (we’ll come to these shortly!)
The standard...
Unlike other tables in your home where pretty much anything goes, our console table generally fits into a specific height range of 76 - 91cm, the ideal ‘put your stuff on me’ height.
They're generally narrow in nature, perfect for when square footage is at a premium and, since you won’t be eating at it or storing bedside bits and bobs on it, you can go wild with your styling.
Whether you're a minimalist or a maximalist, or anywhere in between, the selection of designs is vast and there will be a console table to suit you.
Tonal trends...
Your console table can be a driving force behind your space's styling; using it as inspiration for your colour blends or as an extra feature to highlight your chosen design genre.
A monochrome theme is a great example as it gives you loads of scope to add in other colours to suit your home's palette. Or perhaps you could go bold with a metallic table.
Under and over...
When it comes to dressing your console table, height is your friend.
Having a range of different levels on or around your table draws the eye and you can easily achieve this look with just a few small additions.
Try adding a taller lamp for height, then add a shorter piece like a pair of our whimsical octopus bookends, complete by a leaning mirror or piece of art behind.
We are big fans of using the space around your console table too, adding even more of those key height levels.
Adding a floor-standing candle lantern or a potted plant are some of our fave home décor go-tos, but if light is what’s missing from your room then a simple floor lamp will fit the bill, or large mirror to reflect what light there is available around the space.
To soften the look whilst adding interest, we love to add a faux flower or foliage display – the mixed materials give a sophisticated design feel and using faux plants means that even a table in the darkest corner of your home can still look lush with botanicals. Often the hallway can have limited light and this solves that problem nicely!
The backdrop...
The space behind your console table is invaluable for your design aesthetic and can bring the whole scene together.
I love art, especially originals (when budget allows!) and the right image can make a huge impact in your home.
In summary...
I love a console, I think that much has been made clear so far! It's a space to express personality without needing to be overly-functional.
Usually situated in a hallway or porch, consoles are generally the first part of your home that a visitor will see and what better way to give a great first impression than getting that exactly right for your taste.
Have fun with it, be true to your own styling and never forget to experiment - life's too short not to!
Much love,
Amelia xx
