Your entryway is the first thing guests see when they walk into your home — and a beautifully styled console table can make it truly unforgettable. Whether you have a grand entrance hall or a narrow passage, a console table is one of the most versatile and impactful pieces of furniture you can invest in. Here's how to style yours like a pro.
Why a Console Table?
Console tables are slim, elegant, and incredibly functional. They provide a surface for keys, mail, and everyday essentials while also serving as a display space for art, plants, and decorative objects. In South African homes, where indoor-outdoor living is a way of life, a console table near the entrance creates a natural transition point between the outside world and your interior sanctuary.
Step 1: Choose the Right Size
Before styling, make sure your console table fits the space. As a general rule, leave at least 90cm of walking space on either side of the table. For narrow passages, look for a console that's no deeper than 30–35cm. For larger entrance halls, you can go wider and taller for a more dramatic effect.
Step 2: Create Height Variation
The secret to a beautifully styled console table is varying the heights of your objects. Start with a tall element — a large mirror, a piece of artwork, or a tall vase — and work down from there. A medium-height lamp or plant in the middle, and smaller decorative objects at the front, creates a layered, dynamic display.
Step 3: Add a Mirror
A mirror above your console table is practically non-negotiable. It bounces light around the space, makes the entryway feel larger, and gives guests (and you!) a place to check their appearance before heading out. Choose a mirror that's roughly two-thirds the width of your console table for the best proportions.
Step 4: Incorporate Greenery
A plant or a vase of fresh flowers instantly brings life to a console table display. In South Africa, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful indigenous plants — a protea arrangement or a potted fern adds a local touch that feels both natural and sophisticated.
Step 5: Keep It Functional
Style is important, but so is practicality. A small tray or bowl for keys, a candle for ambience, and a drawer or shelf below for storage means your console table works as hard as it looks good. If you have children or pets, opt for sturdier decorative objects and keep breakables out of reach.
Step 6: Match Your Console to Your Interior Style
Your console table should feel like a natural extension of your home's overall aesthetic. For a minimalist interior, choose a console with clean lines and a natural wood or matte finish. For a more eclectic or maximalist space, a console with interesting legs — hairpin, tapered, or carved — adds personality and visual interest.
Entryway Styling Ideas for South African Homes
- Coastal style: White or driftwood console, rattan mirror, shells, and a potted succulent.
- Modern minimalist: Dark walnut console, geometric mirror, single sculptural vase.
- Warm contemporary: Oak console, round mirror, terracotta pot, and a stack of coffee table books.
- Bold maximalist: Painted console in a deep colour, gallery wall above, layered trays and candles.
Find Your Perfect Console Table
At Figure It Out Furniture, we design and handcraft console tables that are as beautiful as they are functional. Browse our Console Table collection to find the perfect piece for your entryway, or explore our full range of furniture for every room in your home.