It’s quite obvious to many where most tables fit in the home. Dining tables can be found in the dining room or kitchen and take centre stage at mealtimes. Coffee tables are there when you need them in a living room or conservatory and are a great surface for a much-needed brew. Bedside tables are on hand to hold those night-time essentials from a phone to a book to beauty products. But what exactly is a console table? It’s true that it's probably one of the least recognisable tables but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t also 100% necessary in the home. Also referred to as a hallway table, console tables are slender and stylish and are a dab hand for storage. They are a versatile addition to any space and because of their narrowness, they can pretty much fit anywhere in the home. Today, EZ Living Furniture is shedding light on these beautiful tables with an ultimate guide. We’ll discuss materials, shapes, their many uses, and how they can be dressed to add instant intrigue to those empty corners of your house. So, without further ado, let's begin. 

Toulouse Grey and oak console table from EZ Living Furniture.

Why Is It Called A Console Table?

Before we jump right into it, it's important that we go back in time a little bit to understand the history behind console tables. Why? Because furniture and how it originated is always super interesting. Don’t believe us? Read; Design Spotlight: The Chesterfield. 

Console tables are thought to have gotten their name from the French word ‘consolide’ which translates to strengthen or reinforce. The reason for this is thought to be because of their design in 17th-century France. Back then, a console table was built with a tabletop slab and was supported by two wall brackets and two tapered legs.

Today, console tables or hallway tables as they are also known, have evolved to become freestanding pieces. With two extra legs, the need for wall brackets was no longer required. Luckily, this gives us a lot more freedom to choose where we want to place them – without having to commit to fixing them into one permanent spot. 

Ellipse Fumed Oak Console Table from EZ Living Furniture.

Study The Available Materials

The truth is every material has its benefits, some even have multiple, but not every material will work for every household. The reason for this is that every home will have its own needs whether that’s a family with small children, a young couple on their own, or an elderly couple with a house pet. So, with that in mind, we have listed the most common console table materials and their benefits below.

Canterbury oak console table from EZ Living Furniture.

Oak

The most popular console table is, of course, oak. Oak is a hardwood. It’s durable, long-lasting and let’s be honest, it has an appealing wood grain. An oak console table not only looks good but it also has good water-resistant properties. While some woods can warp when exposed to sunlight, this isn’t the case with oak. An oak console table is one of the most popular console table materials.

Chevron brown ash and brass console table from EZ Living Furniture.

Ash

Ash is a stable, durable, and shock-resistant wood. Most recognisable by its appearance, ash wood will have a straight and regular grain which gives a uniform and fine texture to furniture. Ash is relatively inexpensive when compared to other hardwoods but is just as versatile and long-lasting as its counterparts.

Malta acacia console table from EZ Living Furniture.

Acacia

This is the hardest wood from the hardwood family. Its wood structure is multidirectional which means that its fibres are facing each other. The core of the tree comes in a reddish-brown colour. This is a tough and water-resistant wood. It also has natural antibacterial properties. 

Capri console table from EZ Living Furniture.

Sheesham

Sheesham wood, although not as common as the other materials, is extremely durable. It neither splits nor warps, which is why it is commonly used to make cupboards and other furniture. If you like wood that exhibits a brilliant shine and smooth texture when polished, Sheesham is the wood for you.

Glam black metal and walnut console table from EZ Living Furniture.

Walnut

Walnut is one of the heavier woods. Again, it’s durable and highly resistant to wear and tear. It is one of the darker woods meaning it will stain and polish well. 

Victoria Mahogany Console Table from EZ Living Furniture.

Mahogany

Mahogany is the best wood for keeping its shape. It has a low overall shrinkage when exposed to the sun or heat. Particularly resistant to rot, mould, and decay, mahogany will easily last 20+ years when cared for. 

Pebble black metal console table from EZ Living Furniture.

Metal

Metal is much harder, stronger, and heavier than other types of furniture like wood and plastics, which means that this type of furniture survives for many years. A metal console table would be one of the more modern console table styles. 

Rho Console Table from EZ Living Furniture.

Caring For Your Console Table

Every material is different which means that they need to be cared for in different ways. To ensure that your wooden console table stays looking its best for as long as possible, please take a look at our wooden furniture care guide here.

Rosalie Weathered Oak Console Table from EZ Living Furniture.

Console Table Shapes

When choosing a console table shape, it’s important to understand your surroundings and where you want to position the table in your home. While most shapes will fit even the narrowest of hallways, some may add a more interesting appeal to a room. 

Rectangular Console Tables

A rectangular console table is, of course, the most popular shape to choose from. It’s a traditional, straightforward shape that would suit a variety of home decor styles.

Oblong Console Tables

An oblong console table is something we are only really seeing in the last few years. This shape is contemporary and will add an element of interest to a living room, hallway, or dining room.

Half-Moon Console Tables

A half-moon shape is reminiscent of the French console tables from the 17th century. This shape is still available today and would work well in a traditionally-styled home.

Aston Console Table as a bar table from EZ Living Furniture.

5 Non-Traditional Uses For A Console Table

You will normally find a console table in a hallway, but what about its other uses? You know those non-traditional uses that no one thinks of. Well, as part of this ultimate guide, we have listed them here for your convenience. After all, an item that can easily accomplish multiple tasks is much better than a single-use item isn’t it?

1. First off, if your dining room feels bare around the dining table and you could do with a smaller-sized sideboard for the “fancy cutlery”, what better solution than a console table? Your console table with a drawer could hold a whole host of additional dinnerware items that can be grabbed at a moment’s notice.

2. A console table can actually double as a room divider. When placed behind a sofa it perfectly divides an open-plan space into various sections. This could save you a great deal of money in the long run because it can mean that you can avoid any permanent and expensive construction costs.

3. Console tables are narrow so they would make the perfect bar cart. If you love entertaining, a makeshift bar cart is exactly what you need. Display your favourite glassware and fancy cocktail equipment on your console table instead of a traditional bar cart. If, in the near future, you feel like you no longer have a need for a bar cart, simply remove the items and place your console table in the hallway or dining room.

4. When space is at a premium, a desk can consume too much floor space, especially if living in a small apartment or studio. A console table is narrow but will still have enough of a surface to hold items such as a laptop or any office supplies.

5. A dressing table is what most of us in small homes can only dream about. It is an essential item of bedroom furniture but one that sometimes has to be sacrificed in other to accommodate additional, and often more necessary, items. Instead of compromising at all, just opt for a console table instead. 

Looking for more console table uses? Read: 7 Ways To Use A Console Table.

Monroe Grey Ash Console Table from EZ Living Furniture.

How To Dress Console Tables

Styling a narrow console table is EZ, or at least it wasn’t until now. To help you, we have put together a list of the do’s & don’ts for styling a small console table in your home. 

1. Avoid choosing home accessories that don’t fit the proportions of your console table and are too overpowering. Don’t overdress it with bulky pieces.

2. Try to follow the rule of 3 when it comes to accessories. Group 3 items together with varying heights, textures, and colours to add interest.

3. Opt for smaller pieces that complement your console table and create visual balance. Accessories that are slim and minimal will complement the aesthetic of your table.

3. For traditional-style console tables, continue with the traditional look for your table lamp, picture frames, and vases. 

4. Again, don’t overpower the table with too many pieces. Less is more.

Aston Oak Console Table from EZ Living Furniture.

We hope you’ve liked this ultimate guide to console tables. To browse EZ Living Furniture’s entire collection of console tables - click here.

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