One Console | Three Ways

Show of hands who watched the Oscars last night? I don’t really watch awards shows, but love seeing all the red carpet looks as they’re posted online. So many stunning looks, but I was most excited about Rachel McAdams. Believe it or not, her hair team last night was the same that gave me the hair of my dreams for the Redbook cover shoot last year! Crazy, right? Definitely the closest I’ll ever get to the Oscars! šŸ˜‰

Earlier this month we hit the one-year mark in this home, and I posted a House Update showing all the progress we’ve made thus far, and the rooms we hope to tackle this year. And true to par, the new area I’m sharing today was nowhere on that list!

When Ikea came to makeover our Bonus Room, we shopped our house first, and several of the items that were currently in our downstairs Family Room, like the sectional sofa, Moroccan rug, and floor lamp, were moved upstairs. (This house has one more living area than our previous home, so we’re short on furniture.) So looks like we’re adding Family Room to this year’s list, starting with this partial wall that serves as connector between the main entrance and Family Room/Kitchen area.

Basically, the perfect spot for a console table.

And while furniture is the bones of a room, it’s the accessories that transform it. Lucky for me, styling tables and shelves is my idea of a fun time, and I spend many Saturday mornings puttering around the house, moving accessories from room-to-room. But it can also be very frustrating to find the right mix, so I thought I’d share our new console table styled three ways.

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Console tables are are great multi-functional pieces, and can be used behind sofas, as small desks or nightstands (like we did here), and against walls. When styling them, I use a similar formula as for coffee tables, but height and visual weight of the objects play a factor, too.

Each of my vignettes include these six items:

1) Life or natural element to bring the outdoors in and add color and texture.
2) Books to entertain and create stacks for different heights.
3) Quirky or statement object for personality.
4) Lamp for ambiance.
5) Tray to corral smaller items and organize.

6) Art or Mirror to fill wall space.
{ONE}

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table
Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table
Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table
Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Style Tip: If your console is near an entrance, add a bowl or tray to be used as a drop-zone for keys, mail, and other daily necessities.

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

{TWO}

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table
Console Table | Lamp c/o | Botanical Art (similar) | Acrylic Tray | Brass Urchin

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Style Tip: Large plants and tall branches are great for balancing out a single lamp.

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Style Tip: Baskets and bins add color, pattern, or texture to your vignette, and also stylish storage.

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table
Console Table | Lamp c/o | Botanical Art (similar) | Acrylic Tray

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

{THREE}

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Style Tip: Create visual balance between the shelves by separating ‘heavier’ objects to opposite ends, or grouping together in the middle.

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table
Books: Styled | Bright Bazaar | Hue | Art

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table

Style Tip: Add another vertical layer by leaning art against the wall.

Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table
Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table
Hi Sugarplum | How to Style a Console Table
Whew, that was a doozy! But I loved every second of creating these, and could have easily done three more! Which is your favorite? What other Styling posts would you like to see? I loved all three, but the last one is what stuck…mostly because it doesn’t have items already spoken for in other areas of the house!

{More How-To Styling Posts}

*This post was created in collaboration with World Market & Bassett Mirror Company, but all ideas, styling, and obsessive zhushing are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!

Leave a Comment

23 Comments

  1. I love this! I think I like the black and gold lamp best though…not that my opinion matters šŸ˜‰ Happy Monday! xo

    http://www.postgradinprogress.blogspot.com

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
    • It totally matters…I love that one, too!! Happy new week, Lauren!! xoxox

      Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  2. Narci wrote:

    Okay! Love this, because styling a console table is so hard!! I love all 3 looks!! šŸ™‚

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  3. Meghan wrote:

    I love them all too but the third is definitely my favorite! It's always fun to change them up periodically so at least you'll have so alternatives in mind when you get bored šŸ˜‰

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  4. Okay, I love this so much!! What a fun little post Cassie!

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  5. Great post! LOVE those botanicals. Love the symmetry of the two lamps (with the tassel)…but also love that big plant!!! I love all 3 looks!

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
    • Thanks friend! I love the botanicals too….mostly because they belonged to my grandparents! I remember gazing at the birds when I was little šŸ™‚ xo

      Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  6. All three look really inviting but I think the lamps are what drew me to look number 1!

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
    • I love that one, too….but too bad those lamps fit so perfectly in the blue living room already! šŸ˜‰

      Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  7. Jessica wrote:

    I love them all AND I got the idea of adding a lower shelf to our entry console table. So Thanks!!

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  8. They are all great, but 2 and 3 are my favorite.

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  9. Mandy Mae wrote:

    I LOVE look number 1! Those double lamps! However, I must know what kind of plant that is in 2 and 3! It's amazing!

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
    • Thanks Mandy!! It's a ZZ Plant…so easy to keep alive!! In fact, mine is pretty much busting out of that tiny pot! I need to find a bigger one soon! xo

      Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  10. Ninny wrote:

    I prefer the middle one. Although, I'd probably take a mixture of 2 & 3… I'd basically keep #2 but change out the pictures for the mirror. But I'd have to see to be sure.
    I also like for the outlets to be hidden and that bugs me in the 3rd one.

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
    • Bugs me too!! I didn't realize how much it sticks out until I was editing these pics for the post! I'll likely paint it the wall color so it blends. šŸ™‚

      Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  11. I love all three of these! I think #1 is my favorite! That console is just gorgeous and I love the lamps.

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  12. This is not the first time you have done this to me where I see the first option and I'm all, "Oh yeah, that's the one. No need to try anything else." Then I see the second, "Oooo… that's a good one too." Then the third, "Well damn. Girl can do no wrong." šŸ˜€

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  13. I was going to tell you to stick with the 3rd option, then I read to the end and said, "hey, great minds think alike!" Carry on, cool cat!

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  14. #1 looks like your style to me, but you did a great job styling all 3 looks šŸ™‚

    Posted 2.29.16 Reply
  15. this might be a dumb question – but I see the gallery wall in the reflection: how do you get the mat borders to be the same size in each different frame – DIY or use a store?

    Posted 3.1.16 Reply
    • There are no dumb questions! šŸ™‚ That gallery wall is a mish-mash of art & frames…all different sizes, colors & frames. It's just coincidence the ones you can see reflected in the mirror have similar matte sizes. šŸ™‚ xo

      Posted 3.1.16 Reply
  16. I super heart those navy and white baskets! I think I love 2 the most but would want the basket and art from 3 incorporated. I swear I don't have a coastal obsession.

    Posted 3.17.16 Reply
  17. Megan Godwin wrote:

    Hi! Did you paint the table at all? I clicked the link to the WM site and it looks a bit more brown, but yours as little more of a faded look? It’s beautiful!

    Posted 7.3.17 Reply