Of all the lovely surfaces in your home, I think one of the most impactful stylistically is the console table. It’s an excellent place for decor and an easy way to infuse any room with more of your style. Console tables add functionality, they cover up awkward blank spaces, and they imbue a room with more of the aesthetic you love.
If you have already read my guide on how to style a console table, and are aware of the main components involved in making one look beautiful, I want to provide you with some more inspiration for making these tables shine in your home. Whether you have one in your entryway, living room, dining room, bedroom, or another nook, I hope that the following options will provide you with plenty of ways of decorating each one.
Console Table Styling Ideas
There are many approaches you can take to styling a console table. Some of my favorite ideas focus on using different kinds of symmetry, layering, or specific color palettes. I recommend looking around on Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration, and also looking at your own home for ideas. What does your space already look like? What kinds of items would add to this aesthetic (rather than dampen it or take away from it)? Then, you can start looking for decor and small objects to dress it up to your liking.
Remember that less is more. Start with a clean slate, then slowly build up. No matter what theme or look you decide on, it’s better to take your time curating a gorgeous display; otherwise, your console table can feel a little busy or cluttered.
My last piece of advice before diving in is to have fun with it! At the end of the day, your console table decor should reflect you and your personal style. No matter what’s trending or in at the moment, the most important detail is that you love what you see and you feel that it reflects your design tastes.
Stylish Console Tables for Coastal Homes
I’m also going to put some console table options below that I love in case you’re looking to replace an old one or are in the market for a new one for a different room in your home.
Create a Symmetrical and Balanced Console Table
Regardless of your personal style, I think symmetry is one of the best ways to create a cohesive and beautiful console table. Although it doesn’t have to have perfect equilibrium, each side of your table should be relatively even compared to the other. This kind of visual weighting will look nicer to the eye. This doesn’t mean you have to have matchy-matchy decor either, just pieces that complement one another in size.
I like to do this by having a vase on one end and a lamp of a similar shape and size on the other. Abide by the rule of three for things in between. This means styling decor in clusters of three, which provides another form of balance. Don’t forget to consider the bottom half of your console table, either! If there are shelves or a blank space beneath, apply the same principles.
Create a Layered Console Table
A layered console table still has the balance and symmetry like the previous console table styling idea, but this one is a little more subtle in that regard. Instead, a layered surface has various dimensions, different heights and textures, and looks slightly more natural. Both are wonderful, but each gives off its own vibe.
For this specific style, I recommend clustering decor, but look for options in various colors, finishes, and shapes that, although different, still feel cohesive when placed together. As an example similar to above, try to find ceramic and stone finishes that will nicely contrast against reflective surfaces (like shell or a mirror) and softer textures like bouclé.
Embrace Touches of Greenery
Console tables can also be simple. This kind of styling is perfect for interior minimalists and coastal homes that you want to feel fresh, breezy, and clean. More specifically, when I’m opting for a streamlined look like this, I enjoy using greenery because that helps the entire layout feel less sterile. Sometimes minimalism can feel a little bare or industrial, and to avoid that, nothing helps better than plants (real or faux.
Add one in a chic planter or add a spray of fresh flowers. Though the decor doesn’t have to be literal plants either. Consider moss balls, artwork inspired by nature, wreaths, or other natural elements like stones, crystals, or shells. Another way to bring warmth into a minimal setup is by using warmer woods, which also touches on this natural theme.
Use a Coastal Color Palette
You can also design a console table around the color palette in your home. For coastal-inspired interiors, this almost always involves blue and navy, and neutral colors, such as white, gray, and beige. Every space is different (some people might love green in their coastal home or black!), but I suggest choosing two main colors and one or two secondary colors.
For mine, I selected blue and white to dress up a console table in a whitewashed wood material. Then I added a few touches of brown. If you have a specific scheme to work with, it’s so much easier to source decor and create a sense of cohesion. Use bowls, book stacks, vases, and decorative beads to make it stand out.
Design Around a Mirror
This is a useful idea for places like your entryway or bedroom, when a mirror might be a focal point. This reflective surface is a perfect point of reference that you can then decorate around. Using elements of the symmetrical console table and plant-infused ideas, you can create a table that feels creative and intentionally styled.
When a mirror is involved, I try to avoid bringing in too many competing textures or finishes. Consider baskets and woven textures, which bring flair but won’t try to steal attention like a big metallic vase or shiny bowl would. Therefore, keep statement pieces limited (like a small blue vase or a large lamp, but in a neutral tone). Don’t forget about the lighting either. If it’s in an area with great natural light, that’s wonderful, but a table lamp or task light can be helpful for last-minute outfit checks when it’s dark or gray.
