If there's one item that seamlessly bridges functionality and style in a living room, it's the console table. Often underestimated, console tables can completely transform transitional spaces—from entryways to lounge areas—adding structure without overwhelming the layout.
Whether you're styling a hallway or need a landing spot behind a sofa, knowing how to pick and style console tables can make all the difference. Here’s how to use them effectively and stylishly in your home.
What Are Console Tables Used For?
Console tables are narrow, elongated tables designed to sit against a wall or the back of a sofa. Their proportions make them ideal for tight or high-traffic areas. While commonly seen in entryways, they’ve found a home in lounges, dining rooms, and even bedrooms.
They serve multiple purposes:
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A drop zone for keys, mail, or bags.
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A platform for decorative styling—think artwork, vases, books.
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Additional storage through drawers or shelves.
Their understated presence allows them to support the room’s function without visually weighing it down.
The Best Spots to Place a Console Table
Not all furniture needs to shout to be noticed. The strategic placement of console tables creates rhythm and intent in your layout. Here are some practical locations:
Entryway Accent
Placing a console table in the entryway creates an immediate sense of order. Pair it with a mirror or artwork and a tray for keys, and you've created a practical, stylish nook.
Behind the Sofa
A console table behind the sofa helps anchor it within open-plan layouts. It’s also a convenient spot for table lamps, adding depth and balance to the room’s lighting.
Dining Room Divider
Use a console table to separate the dining space from other areas in an open layout. Choose one with shelves or drawers to discreetly store placemats and serving pieces.
Bedroom Storage
In bedrooms, slim console tables can function as vanities or desk alternatives. Choose one with a drawer and pair it with a comfortable stool and mirror.
How to Style Console Tables Without Clutter
The best console tables act like silent organisers. They hold what you need and help your space feel resolved—not busy.
1. Start With a Focal Point
A framed piece of artwork or a large mirror will anchor the table visually. If the table is placed under a window, consider symmetry with smaller decor pieces on either side.
2. Layer Decor Mindfully
Think in terms of height and texture: a lamp or tall vase for height, stacked books for a base, and a tray to hold small objects. Odd numbers often work best—groups of three or five feel balanced yet natural.
3. Keep It Cohesive
Use decor that aligns with the room’s palette and materials. A timber console table in oak or walnut pairs beautifully with ceramic or linen-based accessories.
4. Let Function Lead
If the table is in your entryway, don’t over-style it. A bowl for keys, a table lamp, and a framed photo may be all you need. Style should never impede use.
Choosing the Right Console Table for Your Space
Your console table shouldn’t compete with your larger furniture but complement it. Here's what to consider when choosing one:
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Length: It should align with the width of the wall or sofa it’s against.
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Height: Typically around 75–80cm, it should sit just below standard counter height.
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Depth: Look for a depth between 25–35cm to maintain walkways.
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Material: Timber console tables add warmth, while glass or metal options bring a more contemporary edge.
If you have custom dimensions in mind, MOMU offers bespoke options tailored to your layout and aesthetic preferences.
Trending Styles for Console Tables
With demand for flexible spaces on the rise, console tables are more popular than ever. Current styles include:
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Minimalist timber designs: These work well in pared-back interiors and can be dressed up or down.
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Console tables with drawers: Great for those needing subtle storage.
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Curved forms: A softer silhouette works well in organic or modern interiors.
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Two-tiered options: The extra shelf makes room for baskets, books, or folded throws.
Why Console Tables Are a Smart Design Investment
Unlike larger furniture, console tables offer design flexibility. You can move them between rooms as your needs or style change. A piece used in the hallway today could easily work behind the sofa tomorrow.
They also help bridge gaps between larger furnishings, creating a sense of cohesion throughout your home.
These 3 Console Tables Will Instantly Lift Any Interior—Here’s Why They Work So Well
Kaizen Console Table
Price: $4,790
Dimensions: L 140 x D 50 x H 85 cm
Custom sizes available
A bold reinterpretation of geometric design, the Kaizen Console Table brings sharp visual appeal to modern spaces. Its distinctive triangular legs meet a square top in a confident silhouette that stands out without competing for attention.
Handcrafted in Melbourne from American Oak, Kaizen is available in a range of stain options or satin paint finishes. It’s a statement piece with architectural influence, created to last and designed to provoke interest from every angle.
Key Features
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Distinct geometric leg structure
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Solid American Oak construction
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Custom stain and paint finishes
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Made to order in Melbourne
Whether styled in an entryway or along a living room wall, the Kaizen Console Table provides structure and visual strength in all the right ways.
Boyd Console Table
Price: $4,950
Dimensions: L 140 x D 40 x H 85 cm
Custom sizes available
Minimalist but assertive, the Boyd Console Table is defined by clean architectural lines and a sense of precision. Designed to feel complete without embellishment, it lets the materials and construction speak for themselves.
Also made in Melbourne from American Oak, Boyd is refined, pared back and exceptionally versatile—ideal for interiors where restraint is part of the aesthetic language.
Key Features
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Architectural silhouette
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Crafted in American Oak
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Satin paint or stain finish options
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On display in our Bentleigh East showroom
The Boyd Console Table demands little, yet offers plenty in return—a study in confident simplicity.
Lola Console Table
Price: $4,150
Dimensions: L 120 x D 40 x H 80 cm
Custom sizes available
A play on proportion and form, the Lola Console Table juxtaposes a single curved leg with an angular frame to unexpected effect. This is a piece that disrupts symmetry, making it ideal for design-led homes that appreciate character in every detail.
Made in Melbourne from American Oak, Lola is offered in various stain and satin paint finishes. It’s compact, considered, and quietly unconventional.
Key Features
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Asymmetrical design with round leg detail
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Locally made to order
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Multiple finish options
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Built from sustainably sourced American Oak
The Lola Console Table isn’t trying to be centre-stage—it earns its place through sculptural form and balance.
Final Thoughts
Console tables are the quiet achievers of interior design. With the right styling and placement, they bring structure and refinement to your home without demanding attention. Whether it’s holding your keys at the door, displaying a rotating selection of favourite books, or subtly dividing an open-plan space, these adaptable pieces prove that small furniture can have a big impact.
Local Employment
1 in 5 furniture makers in Australia are employed in Melbourne
Craftsmanship
Handcrafted by skilled artisans, ensuring attention to detail and quality
Materials
High-quality materials used, ensuring durability and comfort
Warranty
Melbourne-made sofas come with a 10-year warranty
Ready to Transform Your Space with a Console Table That Makes a Statement?
Our console tables are handcrafted in Melbourne with attention to proportion, material and finish. Whether you’re drawn to the geometric sharpness of Kaizen, the clean edges of Boyd, or the curved intrigue of Lola, each piece offers considered design with enduring presence.
Contact Us
Phone: 1300 052 495
Our customer care team is available Monday to Saturday, 9am–5pm (AEST) for advice, custom sizing or finish options. Contact us today.
Email: enquiry@momu.com.au
Visit Our Showroom
12 Ardena Ct, Bentleigh East VIC 3165
Opening Hours:
Thursday to Saturday: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Virtual and in-person appointments available by booking.
Easily accessible from nearby Brighton, Hampton, and Sandringham. It's a straightforward drive south from Richmond and South Yarra, and the journey from Kew, Balwyn, and the northern suburbs, including Fitzroy, Thornbury, Ivanhoe, and Northcote, is a breeze. Visit the MOMU showroom at 12 Ardena Ct, Bentleigh East VIC 3165. You can find MOMU here in Google Maps.