Console Table Styles

Find your keys; find your style

If you've ever had a problem finding your keys after you've come home, you could greatly benefit from owning a console table.

Set your console table where it makes sense:

By the door

In a foyer or hallway

Behind a center-placed couch

If the console table is placed on a wall, set a mirror above it and take another look before heading out for the day … or when coming back home. So many styles and designs of console tables exist that there's destined to be one for every room in your house and one that matches any decor.

Style is for you to decide

Once you've decided which room or hallway would benefit from a console table, now start making some decisions.

1. What are your needs?

2. What's already there?

3. Do you want to choose the same style that's already in the room or complement it with a slightly different style?

When talking styles of console tables, consider that it could mean several things. Style could mean the way it looks, whether it's sturdy and functional or more decorative and ornamental, its storage features, its size, or its construction materials. You'll know what your focus of style is.

Two main styles that define how console tables look are traditional or modern. A good way to remember the difference here is: Traditional console tables may have more freedom in their design lines while modern console tables afford more of a choice in their materials.

Traditional tables are made of wood primarily, metal sometimes, with other materials as complements, such as glass or ceramic. Modern console tables may use wood and metal but may also incorporate plastic and other synthetic materials.

Beyond looks, function is also an important consideration. For small spaces that need extra functionality, choose from the following types of console tables:

Convertible: top and legs come open for a small eating or serving table or maybe even a desk

Drop leaf: leaves simply lift up and lock into place, sometimes with gate legs for added support, for a larger table surface

Extensions: extendible leaf pulls out from under table

A stylish accent

Whatever style of console table, let it be the accent piece you didn't know you needed. Console tables are also great beneath windows. Let nature be framed above, and then set a vase of flowers on the console table beneath to mirror the outdoors.

Care

Care for console tables is normally minimal as this is a table that although may be used every day it is not in constant use. Also choice of material may make caring for console tables even easier. Whatever style of console table chosen, you'll find it's the one table that has been missing.

More information on console tables