What To Put On A Console Table For The Best First Impression

Do you know what to put on a console table in your entryway?

If not, this comprehensive guide is tailor-made to help you. We explore the golden formulas of console table styling plus what to put on a console table and how to choose the right console table for your space.

We also give you some real-life inspiration from our product range and some expert tips to help you avoid a cluttered look ⎯ a mistake that a lot of designers make when curating their homes and their interiors.

The golden formula for console table styling

A couple of years ago, I tried to create an attractive console table ensemble using some of my favorite objects. I wanted a setup where I could keep my mail, stray items, shoes, and keys without everything looking chaotic.

Unfortunately, I didn't understand the golden formulas for console table styling so I didn’t know how to arrange things properly. Consequently, a lot of objects looked out of place.

So what's my golden formula for console table style?

Use visual triangles

The first thing I wish I'd known was how to use the visual triangle method. The idea here is to create aesthetic magic by arranging items to create so-called invisible triangles in the space. You have to be a bit creative with this and imagine the triangles, but the technique really works.

For example, you could try:

1. a high lamp on the left-hand side of your table
2. a medium-height row of books in the center
3. a low vase on the other side

This arrangement creates a kind of triangle effect that research shows is naturally pleasing to the eye. I love this approach because I always feel warm and cozy the moment I walk through the front door. It's as if everything has its proper place.

Use the rule of three

When styling console tables, I also like to use the rule of three. Three objects placed together are usually more appealing to the human eye than two objects or four objects. Likewise, five objects are better than six, and seven is better than eight. In the above example, we had a lamp, some books, and a vase ⎯ the rule of three in action.

If you're not sure what to do, I recommend starting with three objects and then considering five if necessary, but only if you feel the arrangement is too sparse. Trying to go above three pieces can be risky.

Always take your time and think carefully about the size, shape, color, and texture of the objects you want to add. Think about how they’ll fit together, side by side, and if they’ll look natural.

Essential decor elements: What objects should you put on your console table?

In this section, I break down the specific items you need to curate a beautiful table setting. I recommend using a range of different items to set the mood and create anchoring or focal points.

Add lighting

I like to start by placing some sort of lighting on a console table. The most common option is to use a minimalist, thin-line table lamp to illuminate the area and so you can see where your keys are.

However, that's not the only choice. You could also place sconces above the console table, or use both to layer your lighting and create more ambiance. Or you could skip lighting overall (but only if you’re confident you have great lighting in the room already).

Add a focal point

I also like to add a focal point to my console table. Oversized statement art is one option, but you can use large round mirrors, especially in entryways.

Make sure that you design and choose the sizing of these focal points according to standard design principles. In most cases, the mirrors or artwork should be two-thirds of the width of the console table. Any wider than that, and they will overwhelm it, and narrower than that, they'll look out of place.

Add texture and organic forms

Lastly, I add plenty of texture and organic forms to my console table designs. For example, you could include vases, green foliage, or catch-all trays for keys made from natural materials. I particularly like stacked design books. These set the mood for the entire space and also give you something to read as you're passing through.

Choosing the right style of console table for your space

Knowing what style of console table you should use for your space depends on your goals and the theme of your home. If you’re stuck, don’t worry. Below, I’ve created a table that tells you the recommended materials and tables for particular table styles and interior categories.

If you're not sure which type of console table is suitable for your space or what you should put on it, talk to us. We can provide advice on how to decorate your console table and the best objects to pair with it. Getting it right is incredibly rewarding, so it's well worth taking the time to do it.

Real-life inspiration for what to put on console tables

If you're still not sure what to put on your console table, I totally get it. You don't always know how to create the magic, and to be honest, I didn't either until I had experimented for a long time! In this section, I take you through some examples of Homary’s inspirational console tables you can emulate at home.

For homeowners looking for contemporary console tables, I recommend this 1397 mm Sintered Stone Top option. Not only is it elegant and minimalist, but its walnut veneer over plywood is also the perfect surface for decoration. You can see in this example that we've decorated it with a vase containing organics, some books, and an attractive lamp. This combination is visually appealing and makes your home look lived in.

You can also see the artwork in the background, which is around two-thirds of the width of the console table.

The 1194 mm Solid Wood Black Fluted Console Table is an exceptional option for homeowners wanting an elegant, luxurious look for hallways, dining rooms, and living rooms. For this one, we've decorated it with two matching rustic flower vases, some interior design books, and a rustic bowl below our baskets for olive oil, wine, and books, giving the ensemble a practical vibe.

A smaller, more traditional option is our French Country metal console table with a classical gold frame. We've decorated this with:

1. a vase of roses
2. a small candle
3. a book
4. a statuette of a white rhinoceros

These objects complement the era from which this console table drew its design inspiration. Metal and MDF are used in its construction, with a small semicircle-shaped surface for periodicals, family heirlooms, and other ornaments.

Always take care to combine style with functionality when choosing a console table. One of my favorite types of console tables is the entryway drop zone. I like these because they're a great way to drop off keys in bowls when I'm busy and also do last-minute appearance checks in the mirror.

Living room console tables are quite different. These focus more on aesthetics, which is why you see them adorned with candlesticks, potpourri, and organics. I like to add vases with plants from the garden.

Expert tips on avoiding a cluttered look

How can you avoid a cluttered look on your console tables?

If we are honest, this is one of the biggest challenges for decorating console tables, especially in entryways. Even if you start with something pristine and curated, it can turn into a chaotic landing pad over time for grocery receipts, dog leashes, loose change and other junk.

When I decorated my first console table, I fell into the trap of using too many objects. Later on, I found there wasn't enough space for practical items, like money and phones. Ultimately, it wound up feeling claustrophobic, and I had to rethink how I was doing things.

Here are some expert tips that I've learned over the years to avoid getting that cluttered look:

Use more negative space

First of all, I'd aim to use more negative space. You want to leave around 30 to 40% of the surface completely empty and bare. If you cram your console tables with items that fill up more and leave less free space than that, you won't give your existing objects the room they need to breathe, and everything will start to look cluttered.

I would suggest going with a large vase, a pile of books, and perhaps an ornament or a candle. A combination like this looks curated, deliberate, and high-end without feeling overwhelming. Any more than this, and you simply won't have space for other items, like a bowl of keys or a pot full of change.

Use the one-in, one-out rule

I'd also suggest using the one in, one out rule. For example, if you know you or your family is going to drop sunglasses, keys, or wallets on the console table as soon as you walk through the door, design your setup around this.

Don't use a single catch-all container for all of the chaos. Instead, use separate receptacles for different types of objects, like deep ceramic bowls combined with brass trays. These combinations not only look attractive, but they also help keep you and your family organized.

Vary your visual heights

Another recommendation is to ensure that you're varying the height of the items on your console table. If you have multiple items of the same height, they tend to blend together, look bland, and create a messy-looking block. The best approach, in my view, is to use a staircase effect and give people's eyes something to climb.

For example, you could start with an attractive ceramic tray that then steps up to a candle, which then steps up to a lamp. You could also do the same with a flat stack of books, a framed photograph, and a large vase.

Use under table space

Finally, I recommend making the most of your under-table space. Don't let an open-legged console table go to waste. Leaving it completely bare can make the table look top-heavy, so fill it with something like a matching upholstered ottoman or a woven storage basket. These additions immediately ground the table and make it look more robust and permanent.

Frequently asked questions

How can I start a console table without a lamp?

You don't necessarily have to add a lamp to every console table in your house. Instead, use different objects to decorate it, like:

1. freshly cut branches from your garden
2. a high-quality sculpture of the goddess Aphrodite
3. a pair of tall candlesticks, and then light them periodically to illuminate your entryway

Can a console table be wider than the mirror above it?

Ideally, a console table should be wider than the mirror above it. Most expert designers recommend that the mirror or artwork behind a console table is between 60% and 80% the width of the table. These arrangements maintain the aesthetics and prevent any object from completely dominating the scene.

How do I prevent my entryway console table from becoming cluttered?

Preventing your entryway console table from becoming cluttered requires being intelligent with the receptacles you use. The best approach is to have separate containers for:

1. Keys
2. Money/Wallets
3. Mail

Once these are full, it's your cue to go through them and sort them out.