How to Style your Irish Woodcraft Console Table

A console table is an incredibly versatile piece of furniture that anchors a space and offers a perfect canvas to showcase your personal style. Decorating it is a chance to blend aesthetics with functionality, transforming an often-overlooked area into a captivating focal point in your Irish home.

The Art of the Console Table: Simple Styling Secrets for Your Irish Woodcraft Piece

In the world of interior design, few pieces of furniture strike the perfect balance between form and function quite like the console table. Whether nestled in a hallway, standing proud in a living room behind a sofa, or adding flair to a dining area, a well-styled console table can elevate your home’s aesthetic. At Irish Woodcraft, our bespoke tables, from the modern Dublin Console Table to the rustic Kildare or classic Cork designs, provide the perfect foundation.

This guide will walk you through the essential tips and tricks to decorate your console table like a pro, turning a simple surface into a curated display that is both practical and beautiful.

Laying the Foundation: Anchoring Your Space

Before you begin adding accessories, the wall space above the console is your first and most important styling opportunity. It helps to ground the furniture and prevent it from looking like it’s floating.

• The Power of a Mirror: A mirror is a non-negotiable for many designers, especially in a narrow hallway. It not only provides a last check before you head out the door but also reflects light, making small spaces feel larger and brighter. For visual interest, pair a rectangular table with a round mirror, or vice versa, to mix shapes. Ensure the mirror is about two-thirds the width of your console for good visual balance.
• Statement Artwork: Instead of a mirror, a large, single piece of art can make a strong visual statement and set the mood for the rest of your home. Alternatively, you can create a playful gallery wall with a collection of smaller, varied framed artworks for a more personal touch.
• Architectural Detail: For those with period homes, incorporating the table with existing architectural details, like picture frame molding on the wall behind it, can make it feel like a custom built-in piece, as suggested by some design experts.

Mastering the Mix: Height, Texture, and Balance

The key to a successful console table display lies in creating dynamic visual interest through varying heights, textures, and shapes, while still maintaining balance.

• Varying Heights (The Rule of Three): Grouping items in threes is a classic design trick that is pleasing to the eye. Think a tall lamp, a medium-height vase, and a small decorative box. Place taller items towards the outer edges to maintain an open feel in the center, especially if you have artwork or a mirror above.
• Layering Textures and Materials: The natural warmth of an Irish Woodcraft table provides a beautiful base for a variety of textures. Mix materials like a warm-toned wooden bowl with cool-toned marble candlesticks or glass objects to add depth. Woven baskets on a lower shelf or tucked underneath add a great textural detail and practical storage.
• Symmetry vs. Asymmetry: Symmetrical arrangements (e.g., matching lamps or vases on either end with a central piece) create a formal, balanced, and harmonious look. Asymmetrical styling, using differently scaled items, can offer a more relaxed and dynamic aesthetic.

The Personal Touch: Adding Functional & Meaningful Items

A console table should not only look good but also serve a purpose, especially in a busy entryway. Blending function with flair is the ultimate goal.

Practical Pieces

• Lighting: A table lamp adds a layer of soft, ambient light to a space, which is especially welcoming in a dark hallway.
• Trays and Bowls: To avoid clutter, use a decorative tray or a beautiful wooden bowl to corral essentials like keys, mail, or sunglasses. The Cork Console Table from Irish Woodcraft, for instance, has discreet drawers for items you want completely out of sight.
• Storage Baskets: If your table has a lower shelf, large woven baskets can provide a stylish spot to store shoes, scarves, umbrellas, or even extra cushions and blankets in a living room.

Decorative Accents

• Books: Stacks of coffee table books not only add height but also a touch of personality. Use them to prop up other decorative items like a small plant or a candle.
• Greenery and Florals: A vase of fresh, seasonal flowers or a low-maintenance plant can add life, colour, and an organic touch to your display.
• Personal Mementos: Displaying framed family photos or a small sculpture collected during your travels makes the space uniquely yours and tells a story.

The Finishing Touches: Seasonal Styling and Beyond

One of the joys of a console table is how easily its look can be updated to reflect the seasons or a change in mood.
Keep the main elements like the mirror and lamps neutral, and simply swap out smaller items. Think pumpkins and dried foliage in autumn, fragrant candles in winter, or bright wildflowers in spring and summer.

By following these simple guidelines, you can create a stunning and functional display that enhances the beauty of your Irish Woodcraft console table and your entire home.

Irish Woodcraft offers a variety of console tables tailored to different interior styles, including modern, traditional, and rustic, so you can find the perfect match for your home. The best design depends on the aesthetic you want to achieve.

Modern & Contemporary Styles

For a modern look characterized by clean lines and minimalist designs, these options are ideal:

• The Dublin Console Table: This table offers a sleek, polished appearance that prioritizes functionality. It is a prime example of a contemporary design with simple lines.
• The Longford Console Table: Featuring simple tapered legs and an optional lower shelf and drawers, the Longford has a less fussy and more contemporary feel, adding modern elegance to any space.

Traditional & Classic Styles

If you prefer timeless elegance and ornate details, consider these traditional options:

• The Cork Console Table: This piece blends classic elegance with modern simplicity, making it a versatile choice that leans towards the traditional aesthetic with its timeless design.

• The Roscommon Console Table: This elegant console table combines a modern aesthetic with timeless design, and features a single, center-mounted drawer. It works well in traditional interiors.

Rustic & Farmhouse Styles

For a cosy, countryside-inspired home with natural and distressed finishes, these tables add warmth and character:

• The Kildare Console Table: A prime example of rustic or farmhouse style, this table has a natural and weathered look, perfect for adding warmth to a cosy home.

• The Galway Console Table: While versatile, its unique “Bootleg” style leg with a U-shaped channel and V-shaped pinstripes gives it a distinctive, artistic yet approachable look that complements rustic interiors well.

Irish Woodcraft allows for significant customisation, including size, shape, and an extensive range of available paint colors from brands like Colourtrend, ensuring you can tailor any design to your precise needs and aesthetic preferences.