10 Best Console Tables Reviews and Buying Guide
Table of Contents
Why You Need a Good Console Table?
The console table is a piece of multi-purpose and stylish furniture usually placed against the wall of an entrance or in a living room. It’s quite practical when placed by the entrance because you can put keys, directories, handbags, etc. It adapts to all situations and can accommodate a small lamp as well as a dozen people.
Quick Summary
1. Editor’s Choice – Convenience Concepts Oxford 1-Drawer White Console Table
2. Best for Entryway – ChooChoo Narrow Console Table
3. Best Living Room Console – Mobili Fiver Grey Concrete Extendable Console Table
4. Best Modern Console Table – Convenience Concepts Oxford Console Table
5. Best for Dressing the Wall – Monarch Specialties 2445 47″ Cappuccino Hallway Console
6. Best TV Stand – Ikea 902.432.97 Lack TV Stand
7. Best Console With Drawer – Convenience Concepts Oxford 1 Drawer Gray Console Table
8. Most Beautiful Console – Mobili Fiver White Ash Extendable Console Table
9. Best Coffee Console – Benjara Extendable Console with Pedestal Base
10. Best Rustic Console Table – Mobili Fiver Extendable Console Table
Editor Picks Console Tables
1. Editor’s Choice – Convenience Concepts Oxford 1-Drawer White Console Table
Convenience Concepts has a wide choice of console tables, especially in the Oxford series. So you already have a clue where to buy the best console table. This is a console table with drawers. There is one that runs the full width of the table.
This model also has 2 shelves, one at the bottom and one in the middle. They are strong enough to support books and various other objects. With almost 1 m wide and 30 cm deep, this console offers a good storage area.
As for the design, this model is offered in the Espresso shade. This deep color is both modern and versatile. The crosses on the sides are reinforcements for the solidity of the structure. They also form elegant patterns. This piece of furniture is designed to be easily assembled.
2. Best for Entryway – ChooChoo Narrow Console Table
The ChooChoo console table has sturdy and curved legs for a smooth and sleek look. The beautiful rustic piece is ideal for decorating the entryway. You can also use it to display your favorite decorations.
It’s perfect as an entryway table or a console table. It is also ideal for living rooms and hallways. You can have it against the wall or behind your sofa. It can be used for placing artworks and favorite decorations.
3. Best Living Room Console – Mobili Fiver Grey Concrete Extendable Console Table
The Mobili Fiver extendable console table is a high-end, very elegant, and modern table, which is ideal for small apartments. It is very solid, easy to assemble, store and open and close. This side table is very practical when you have guests.
Thanks to its extensions, you can expand it as you wish according to your needs. In addition, its glossy white version, which is reminiscent of the lacquered coffee tables that are very popular at the moment, will fit perfectly into any interior decoration, while adding a certain touch of elegance. elegance and modernity.
To summarize, it can go from a 2-person table to a 12-person table. It is easy to assemble, is sturdy, and also offers good longevity.
4. Best Modern Console Table – Convenience Concepts Oxford Console Table
The Oxford range produced by Convenience Concepts also contains this white console table. This color is always compatible with all kinds of decorations.
In addition, this piece of furniture, if you want to compare it with other models, has a glossy finish. This brings brightness to any interior. In a bedroom or living room, it will necessarily stand out.
Like all furniture in this series, this console table features the X patterns on both sides. It is the modern touch of furniture. This particular model contains a bottom shelf. In this way, you have extended storage space. You can put items you need frequently in it.
Decorative items also do the trick. By following the advice provided by the manufacturer in the instructions, you can easily assemble this piece of furniture. In addition, the tools and all the parts necessary for assembly are provided.
5. Best for Dressing the Wall – Monarch Specialties 2445 47″ Cappuccino Hallway Console
Dressing a wall is not always easy. Buying this modern console table provides a solution. This model designed by Monarch Specialties stands out perfectly against any background. Its dark color is rich and deep.
The particularity of this table is the shape of the legs. They are curved. Their inward curvature features a shelf. In total, you, therefore, benefit from 3 storage spaces, the middle one being smaller. This level is also less high compared to the lower one. It is 7.5’’ compared to 19.5’’ Decorative in itself, this console table can also be used as a display for collectibles.
The upper shelf also offers a space of 47.25 x 11.5’’. This model of console table, for it to be the most efficient, is entirely made of wood. It is, at the same time, robust. It can be used as main or extra furniture according to your needs.
6. Best TV Stand – Ikea 902.432.97 Lack TV Stand
The famous Swedish furniture brand is also found in the field of console tables. This one is mainly dedicated to being used as a TV stand. The Ikea console table has an upper shelf and a lower shelf.
The top is 90 cm wide and 26 cm deep. Having the shape of a bench, this model measures 45 cm in height. You have to make sure that this configuration is suitable for the vast majority of televisions. This table can support a weight of up to 66 pounds.
This inexpensive console table is mainly made of wood. This includes particleboard and wood fiber. There are also some plastic and paper parts. The design of this console table is very simplistic. It looks like a simple school desk, but more stylish. Its color also brings a certain warmth.
7. Best Console With Drawer – Convenience Concepts Oxford 1 Drawer Gray Console Table
This is the gray version of the Convenience Concepts Oxford 1 Drawer Console Table reviewed earlier. This console table has practical dimensions. It is neither too big nor too small. It is not bulky, yet is large enough for many objects.
This model is built to last. It can support fairly substantial loads without flinching. The X shapes help with this sturdiness. We also like its stylish design. The color and clean lines of the piece of furniture give it a modern look.
It can therefore be installed in a hall as well as in a bedroom. However, the assembly instructions contain errors and can be better. This makes assembly complicated for some users.
8. Most Beautiful Console – Mobili Fiver White Ash Extendable Console Table
The Mobili Fiver is a cheaper version of the Mobili Fiver Grey Concrete Console Table. It is however more beautiful, although less rustic. It comes in a different white ash color. It’s extendable at will depending on the number of guests. You will find it very easy to set up. Placing or removing the panels from the table to make it longer or shorter won’t take much effort either. You can store the panels conveniently in the extension bracket, saving space when closing the console.
The console is made from durable materials that won’t wear out with use or time. The melamine is resistant to moisture and scratches and the iron legs in the center of the table give it good stability. Cleaning will only take a few minutes. In addition, melamine mimics the look of wood very well, giving it a pleasant and striking style.
9. Best Coffee Console – Benjara Extendable Console with Pedestal Base
This console from Benjara comes in a class of its own. Even if this model does not cost less than the competition, it has its specificities which make it an interesting console table.
This is an extendable table. Indeed, when this piece of furniture is in its original configuration, it has the dimensions of a console. It measures 60 ‘’ wide, 18 ‘’ deep and its height is 30”. Then, 2 flaps open to make room for an authentic dining table. The depth then reaches almost 30’’. Hinges ensure this movement.
The stability of the flaps is reinforced by 3 retractable bars on each side. It is made of solid wood. It deliberately bears traces of wear to give it an old look. The feet are carefully sculpted.
10. Best Rustic Console Table – Mobili Fiver Extendable Console Table
This extendable console table will find its place very easily in your interior. Entirely made in Italy, you benefit from their know-how and resistant materials. Result: you have an extendable table to accommodate up to 14 people. The extendable aluminum mechanism is reinforced in the center by 2 additional iron feet which ensure stability.
This grey concrete console table is made of laminate-finished aluminum in Italy. And rest assured assembly and use are also very simple. And if you had a little problem, there is also a tutorial.
Top 8 Factors to Consider When Buying a Console Table
It can be used as a table, a sideboard, a desk, and more. But since there are many designs, construction materials and models to choose from, here are criteria to consider to make sure you choose the best console table.
#1 The style: Classic, Baroque, Contemporary or Design Consoles?
Baroque Console Table
A baroque console table will hardly blend with ultra-modern armchairs and sofas. Check the lines of your furniture. Are they thin or thick? What is the material of your coffee table? Can we find a style match between the proposed console table and the rest of the furniture? You can ask for a metal-glass, wood-aluminum, stone-brass alloy furniture, etc.
Contemporary Console Table
The contemporary is located halfway between the modern and the classic. The cuts are simplified; the materials are lighter and go everywhere. In other words, they are more suitable for everyday interiors.
Modern Console Table
This is generally the designer. There are LED accessories on the underside of the console to highlight it. All materials are present, and very often combined for a rare and unique rendering: wood, wrought iron, stone, glass, stainless steel, waxed concrete.
They are demanding pieces of furniture. But you have to beware of the practical side. The designer style isn’t always practical. It, however, gives pride of place to aesthetics at the expense of storage.
Classic Console
This can complete an opulent and sober interior. It is generally made of old and noble materials such as wood, natural stone, travertine, marble or granite. It can also be in an alloy of metals worked in an antique finish with its colors like gold, silver, etc. The range of styles here is relatively vast.
From the Baroque to Louis XV type, with tortured or straight cuts, the classic style is a style apart. It blends with very specific spaces. This type of console is a work of art on its own and requires space for it to be seen.
If the console is placed in an entrance, such entrance must be sufficiently wide and high. If possible, a ceiling height of at least 2.50m is required.
#2 The Type and Frequency of Use
Determine the functions of the console table and in particular the frequency of use. If it will remain more of a console than a table, its style will have to match the atmosphere of the room and the colors of the wall against which it will be positioned. Think of the objects and elements that will be placed there to integrate them (or not) into the existing decoration.
#3 The Materials: Metal, Glass, Wood or MDF?
For the Base
You have at your disposal a wide choice of compositions of different materials for your extendable console. First of all, the base can be made of metal, wood or glass depending on the aesthetics sought.
- Metal for a modern and aesthetic look: Metal brings to the console furniture a contemporary design while being sturdy. In the case of an extendable console, it allows you to unfold 4 feet between which you place your extensions. The metal of the base is generally square or rectangular. It is available in stainless steel, chrome, white, black or taupe colors to adapt to all your decoration desires.
- Glass, to play on transparencies: Glass is a translucent material widely used in the making of designer furniture. Glass feet bring lightness to your furniture and allow you to play on the lights to compose your room. It fits perfectly with the very concept of the console.
- Wood, for a compact, trendy and beautiful look: Many extendable consoles are made of MDF, a very solid wood material that offers a wide choice of finishes. Wood style, your furniture will look simple and blend with every design. In white or black lacquer, it is contemporary and trendy.
Once you have chosen the material for your table console base, you have to choose the material that will make up the tabletop. For an ultra-modern look, consider mixing materials such as glass and wood or metal and glass.
For the Tray
Depending on the console model chosen, you have a main tray and extensions. According to your desires, you can play the card of a sober and rectilinear design, or mix the materials for a more unique result.
- Glass tray: Glass is used to make versatile, resistant and low-maintenance furniture trays. It can be translucent or opaque. The glass of your tray or your extensions can also be colored black or white.
- Wood tray: Wood is ideal for bringing a little warmth into a room. Whether natural or tinted gray or wenge, it is often synonymous with conviviality. The wood of a tray, combined with a metal base, will be the most beautiful effect in a designer interior or workshop style.
- The MDF tray: MDF is a composite material made from wood. It is covered with paint, lacquer or decoration that acts as a finish. Light and very solid, MDF is widely used in the world of furniture. It offers many qualities, including its resistance and durability. It is also an ideal economical material if you are looking for a cheap extendable console table.
#4 Extendable or Fixed Console Table?
Fixed Console Table
If you decide to acquire a fixed console for the entrance where to put your keys or your bag when you return home, it is important to choose a console table that will match as much as possible with the current decor. The consoles are practical, functional and optimal for saving space: leaning against a wall, they take up little space, but they offer a surface large enough for their intended use.
In its simple and non-extensible version, some of its function is to highlight decorative objects, vases, lamps; sculptures, mirrors, and trinkets.
Extendable Console Table
Other than the fixed consoles, the extendable console has also appeared on the market. These are very narrow small tables (about 45 cm wide) but which can extend up to 3 meters. These are, therefore, tables that can be kept closed and opened when the opportunity arises.
The extendable console can be transformed, in a few minutes and in any environment, into a perfect dining table. It is identical to a classic fixed model when closed. But thanks to its extensions, it can accommodate up to 12-14 people at the same time. This makes it essential for lunches and dinners but above all, for interiors where space is reduced.
#5 The Different Extendable Mechanics
The term “extendable console” describes a piece of furniture that unfolds to make room for a dining table. However, there are almost as many extensible systems as there are tables. Each of these opening mechanisms is adapted to a different need and must be adapted according to the desired use and the space available. You will find on an extendable console 4 main mechanics:
- Folding extensions: As its name suggests, this system consists of extensions located on either side of the main tray. Thanks to a simple system of hinges, the extensions unfold to enlarge the surface of the console. This simple system makes it possible to design cost-effective extendable consoles that allow you to install a small dining area in a kitchen or a student bedroom.
- With flaps: Folding tables offer many advantages. The table is perfectly hidden in a simple narrow console with a sober design. It is most often equipped with casters to move it with ease. Some models even hide 6 matching folding chairs for optimal space-saving.
- With integrated sliding extensions: The extensions are in this case placed under the tray, and a system of metal slides makes it possible to stretch the sides of the console to unfold the table. This simple and robust mechanism offers great ease of use.
- With removable extensions: This extension system is the most advanced. But it is also the one that allows you to obtain the largest models of tables that can seat up to 10 or even 12 people. The console constitutes the structure of the table base, which unfolds perpendicular to the wall. The piece of furniture stands out in the middle, and two sliding rails unfold on either side to create a structure that will be used to accommodate the extensions. If the table has more than 2 or 3 extensions, a central leg must be added to support the weight of the tabletop.
#6 Choose the Right Design
Aesthetics is an aspect that should not be underestimated. On the web, several thousand console tables will be available to you, but to ensure a winning purchase, you will have to trust your instincts. The most trendy console tables will not necessarily be the ones that suit your interior. The furniture that enjoys special attention from users is one that has additional storage space for books or other decorative trinkets.
If you think that the console table with shelf is too large, you can opt for a simple model without any artifice. The rectangular or square solid wood console tables will go perfectly in tight spaces like hallways or entrances.
To make this furniture even more welcoming, add a mirror above or next to the console. If you are fond of vintage style, the raw wood console tables should meet your expectations. Use console tables with drawers and long, thin legs.
#7 Choice of Colors and Textures
Don’t forget the colors and textures. A light-colored console table will find its place with dark-colored wooden furniture. Play with contrasts! And it works the other way too. A brightly lacquered console table will proudly take center stage in a living room with light beige sofas. The bright and soft colors will always be complimentary.
#8 The Dimensions of the Tray
Although trays with wider dimensions may take away the beauty of the furniture, you still want the console to be within a good range of sizes. When choosing your table, ensure it stays within the 35 inches to 50 inches range. This will give you enough space for placing items while looking compact.
Final Thoughts
The console table is a very practical piece of furniture. A small, generally narrow table, is both decorative and functional. In a hallway or the living room, the console finds its place everywhere. However, not all models are suitable for all interiors. They are offered in a wide variety of shapes and finishes. Among others, there is our Editor’s Choice, the Convenience Concepts Oxford model. It offers plenty of storage space. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a TV stand, the Ikea 902.432.97 Lack TV Stand would be ideal.
The console table is never chosen at random. Before making a purchase, you will need to determine the functions and the frequency of use of the table.
If you want decorative furniture, ensure the table style is in harmony with the room’s atmosphere and also with the wall color against which it will lean. The choice will depend on the material because some are made “to last”. Meanwhile, others, which come with unbeatable prices, will force you to reinvest sooner than you think!
Apart from the material, think of the possible aspects and finishes that will bring a touch of originality to your console. The timeless classics are there; so also are the solid wood model, metal (steel, aluminum, etc.), tempered or tinted glasses, Formica, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF), which will mostly require minimal maintenance.