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Monday, June 24, 2013

How to Decorate a Console Table

How to Decorate a Console Table

Usually situated in the entryway, the console table often serves as a catch-all for keys, mail and anything else that regularly comes and goes. Console tables, however, can also make strong design focal points, whether in the foyer, the living room, a bedroom or an upstairs hallway. The standard console is long and narrow, but you can creatively repurpose other pieces, such as a low dresser, if you have an ample area. While a minimalist might keep the console as bare as possible, the table offers a way to showcase small collections and add visual interest to a space. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

    1

    Think about how you use your console table. Because they're long and narrow, most consoles are used as a place to put one or two lamps to bring soft light into a space. In the hallway, it may sometimes hold keys and mail; in the dining room, it may function as a sideboard during dinner parties. Keep the function of the table in mind as you decorate.

    2

    Consider the design aesthetic of your space. Use the console as a way to both reflect and magnify--or turn up the volume--on your home's overall vibe. While this is an abstract idea open to interpretation, it could mean creating a concentrated collection or adding bold touches of color to an otherwise monochromatic scheme. For example, a collection of turquoise vases of varying sizes and materials, or a large collection of seashells artfully displayed, both deliver more visual power on one surface than when spread throughout the home.

    3

    Make the table the focal point--or anchor--of the room through artwork. Consider centering a large mirror or piece of art above the table and designing around it. Keep the large piece proportional to the table. For example, if the table has a glass top and thin, iron legs, don't place an oversized, thick mahogany frame over it. The resulting look is top heavy.

    4

    Choose to go symmetrical or asymmetrical in the arrangement of objects and artwork. A symmetrical design is evenly balanced on both sides--one lamp on either end of the table, a large vase of flowers in the center and an oversized mirror centered on the wall flanked by two small pictures, for example. Symmetrical placement of objects tends to easily lend itself to a more formal look. Asymmetrical design, on the other hand, often comes off as more casual. You can achieve it by placing one lamp on the table alongside some randomly placed objects such as a stack of coffee-table books and a small statue; center a single piece of artwork to visually organize the look, or hang many smaller frames in a random pattern on the wall.

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