5 Steps To Style a Console Table

One thing I’ve always struggled with when decorating our farmhouse is how to style a console or the top of a bedside table. I want it to look pretty but in many cases, it also needs to hold functional items. This usually means the table ends up looking like a pile of junk and a spot where only keys and Gavin’s never-ending collection of coins seem to end up.

Over the years I’ve experimented with every arrangement known to man to make the cabinets and consoles in our house look pretty but not cluttered. Recently, after our walk-in robe was installed, I moved the old chest of drawers I was using as a bedside table into the lounge room. It fills the empty space so beautifully but left me AGAIN with the dilemma of how to dress it up! In this post, you’ll find the process I’ve come up with over many years to effortlessly create a vignette on a flat surface that you’ll want to leave there forever. (Not just until you dust again, like me!)

Start With a Clean Surface When You Style a Console

It goes without saying but to style a console table or cabinet you start with the base layer. Cleaning the surface is a given. (Especially in an old house where dust accumulates while you sleep!) I use microfibre cloths and warm water to clean just about every surface in our house, so a quick wipe cleans off any dust and grime.

You need to think too about the type of cabinet you are decorating. If the console is open, (as in has an open back or shelves) you will need to add visual weight to the bottom. I like to add baskets in this case. They are functional, add texture and look amazing.

Add Some Art

After cleaning the surface I always begin by creating a background for my arrangement. This is in the form of art, a mirror, or some kind of collection on the wall behind the surface. The trick here, I find, is to connect the cabinet to the artwork by having only a small distance between the two. In the case of the chest of drawers, I moved a stormy print I had in another room. The moody look of the print is perfect for winter and provides a coordinating backdrop to the cages in front

In the case of our cabinet, I have a plate wall above to add height and carry the the shape of the cabinet up the wall.

Add Height

The art you choose to style a console will instantly add height to your arrangement but you will need to add a pieces to your surface to ‘tie’ the art to the top of your console. I’ve used a large birdcage on one and a lamp on the other. Some people like to use tall candlesticks or even a large vase or piece of decor. Anything that fits the look you want to create is perfect. Don’t make it too visually heavy though.

Next Layer in your Vintage Pieces.

I love to include books in my vignettes. Stacking them in odd-numbered groupings is the usual way. These can then also add height to shorter items you add to the vignette and showcase those items that are small and could be overlooked. Sometimes, when I style a console I stack the books library style. The books on our cabinet are like this currently. All you need is something for them to lean on. If I had laid them down to use them as a riser, I could have put the brass ampersand on top.

After placing books, (if you want them) it’s time to think about layering in the vintage pieces you want for this look. To avoid clutter I stick with 3-5 pieces. One of them is usually something out of the ordinary. For the top of the cabinet I’ve used a colour palette of gold and blacks to tie everything together. The dresser houses a collection of bird cages and an ivory carved ball. Make sure you play with heights to create interest and make your arrangement interesting!