How to Style a Black Contemporary Console Table

Artisan Haus Team


The black console table: a timeless piece that blends seamlessly into various interior design themes. Its versatile nature makes it a popular choice, but often leaves homeowners pondering how to best style it. This article aims to unlock the potential of your black console table, transforming it into a captivating feature of your home.

The black console table: a timeless piece that blends seamlessly into various interior design themes. Its versatile nature makes it a popular choice, but often leaves homeowners pondering how to best style it. This article aims to unlock the potential of your black console table, transforming it into a captivating feature of your home.

Introducing the Stylish Mango Wood Console Table: A prime example of versatility and style, the Mango Wood Console Table featured at Rockett St George exemplifies how a black console table can serve not only as a functional piece but also as a statement piece in home decor. Priced at £345, this table marries practicality with the raw elegance of mango wood, accented by a subtle yet impactful black frame. Perfect for those aiming to strike a balance between classic and contemporary aesthetics.

Discover the Elegance of Burnished Metal & Glass: Following the rustic charm of mango wood, the Burnished Metal & Glass Console Table offers a sleek, modern alternative. With its sophisticated glass top and striking metal frame, this table priced at £545 showcases how materials can elevate the look of any room. This piece is ideal for a more contemporary space, reflecting light and adding a touch of luxury with its minimalist design.

Understand Your Space
Before you begin styling, it’s crucial to understand the space around your console table. Is it in a hallway, living room, or dining room? The function of the room influences the styling approach. For instance, a table in the hallway might serve as a welcoming element, while in the living room, it could be more of a focal point.

Choose a Theme
A black console table is like a blank canvas. Whether your home has a modern, rustic, minimalist, or eclectic theme, the table can adapt. Choose decorative items that complement your overall interior style. For a modern look, think sleek and minimal; for a rustic vibe, opt for organic and earthy elements.

Create Balance
Balance is key in styling. With a black table, use contrasting colours like whites, pastels, or metallics for decorative items to create visual interest. However, avoid overcrowding. A mix of two to three colours often works well.

Introducing Contemporary Black Console Table Designs

Contemporary black console table with glass and marble shelves


A console table serves as both a functional and decorative element, and the Harper Marble and Mirror Console Table (£449) perfectly exemplifies modern sophistication. Its sleek black frame and marble surface make it an ideal backdrop for contemporary vases, candles, or art books.

Play with Heights and Textures
Add visual interest by playing with different heights and textures. Use a tall vase, a medium-sized lamp, and smaller trinkets. Textural contrast can be achieved with materials like glass, metal, wood, or ceramics.

Incorporate Greenery
Plants bring life to your console table setup. A lush green plant or a simple succulent can add a fresh touch. If you’re not keen on real plants, high-quality artificial ones can work just as well.

Add Personal Touches
Personal items like framed photos, a stack of your favourite books, or unique collectibles make the space feel more intimate and welcoming. These items reflect your personality and make the space uniquely yours.

Stylish Black Console Options for Elegant Rooms

Contemporary black console table decorated with vase, table lamp


If you’re seeking a sophisticated touch to add to your personal items, the Mercury Console Table (£599) offers a modern yet timeless design. Its metallic frame provides ample display space for your cherished personal items.

COntemporary black console table with white marble top


Similarly, the Flute Marble Console Desk (£599) with its gold accents and fluted detailing adds a touch of luxury and can serve as a perfect base for a statement lamp or framed photos.

Lighting Matters
Good lighting can elevate the look of your styled table. A chic lamp not only serves a functional purpose but can also be a statement piece. Consider the overall lighting in the room and how it interacts with the items on your console table.

Seasonal Changes
Don’t shy away from changing the home decor according to seasons or holidays. This keeps the space dynamic and interesting. Seasonal flowers, holiday-themed decorations, or colour scheme changes can reflect the time of the year.

Browse Our Curated Selection of Black Console Tables at Etsy

Contemporary black console table styled in a modern minimalist setting. Features include a large circular black mirror above, a textured vase with dried plants, a small round sculpture for visual contrast, and a woven basket underneath for additional texture and practical storage.

The Quill Black Console Table is a more contemporary, minimalist design. The table has a straightforward, angular form with two levels, and it’s set against a plain white wall with a Circular Black Mirror above, enhancing the sense of space. On the table, a large textured vase containing dried plants, which adds an organic touch, and a small, round sculpture provides visual interest through its shape contrast. Underneath, a woven basket adds a practical element and a different texture. The style is clean and modern, with each element carefully chosen to contribute to a harmonious and uncluttered aesthetic.

Shop the Quill Black Console Table


Sleek black and white striped bone inlay console table with golden base accents, showcasing a modern design perfect for enhancing contemporary interiors with a striking visual statement.

Shop the Bone Inlay Black Console Table

The black and white console table above, opts for a bold, modern aesthetic with a striped pattern that is both eye-catching and stylistically versatile. The gold-tone base adds a touch of luxury and warmth to the table’s appearance. This piece could serve as a focal point in a minimalist setting or as a complementary item in a more eclectic space. To style it, one might consider metallic or colourful accents to bring out the golden hues or to add a pop of colour.

Distressed black metal curved console table set against a crisp white wall, styled with symmetrical decor including two textured vases with verdant greenery and a pineapple-themed wall sconce. The design combines traditional elegance with a modern twist, featuring golden accents that complement the dark console, creating a sophisticated and luxurious aesthetic.

Classic Elegance with a Modern Twist – Set against a crisp white wall, the distressed metal curved console table offers a stark contrast. The surface is adorned with symmetrical decor, including two textured vases containing verdant greenery that breathe life into the arrangement. This symmetry is anchored by a pineapple-themed wall sconce, whose golden tones and black shades echo the table’s colour scheme, further unifying the traditional aesthetic with the wall’s modern cleanliness. The white backdrop not only accentuates the table’s silhouette but also ensures that the decorative elements stand out, making a statement of refined taste and understated luxury.

Shop the Curved Console Table

The Ferm Living Black Console Table is styled with a utilitarian, yet rustic charm. It displays a large vintage glass bottle alongside smaller glass jars being used for food storage. A metal pot with kitchen utensils and a stack of colanders imply functionality. The presence of a plant in a wicker basket adds a touch of nature and warmth to the industrial look of the table and perfect as a side table in a stylish kitchen.


The Woda Black Console Table presents a minimalist aesthetic, with a focus on clean lines and uncluttered spaces. The black console table bears a sculptural potted plant, which injects life and colour into the setting. Below, a neatly stacked collection of books and magazines serves both as a design element and a practical resource for guests or inhabitants.

The LIND DNA Black Console Table takes on a modern, yet homely style. The top shelf features an interesting white textured vase, alongside a selection of spirits, as a small bar area, inviting a sense of hospitality. Below, an open book on a stand and an assortment of hardcover books suggest a cultured and relaxed environment.

The Black Console Table above showcases the console table in a living room context, styled with an abundance of greenery. The plants of various sizes create a lively and organic feel, contrasting with the sleek black metal frames of the tables. Additionally, the tables hold a selection of books and decorative objects, giving the space a personalised and lived-in atmosphere. This ensemble of tables not only serves a decorative purpose but also provides a creative room divider.

This table strikes a balance between a workspace and a display area. Its slender silhouette and rounded edges offer a modern and smooth appeal that could complement a range of interior styles. The pairing with a high stool suggests its use as a casual work area. Minimalist in design, it’s styled simply with practical items like a lamp and stationery holders, which aligns with the Nordic principle of practical beauty.

Shop the Black Wood Console Table

Sleek black contemporary console table used as a minimalist workspace, featuring a modern design with rounded edges and paired with a high stool. Styled with practical items like a lamp and stationery holders, set against a soft grey wall in a bright, contemporary room, embodying Nordic design principles.


Chic modern black console table with a marble top and narrow steel frame, perfectly situated in a hallway under a large abstract painting. Styled minimally with decorative items including a small red box, a patterned candle, a unique metallic sculpture, and a stack of books, creating an elegant and modern look that complements the simple yet luxurious design of the table.

The console table on the left is sleek with its marble top and narrow steel frame, a perfect choice for a hallway or small space. Its slim profile is offset by the luxurious marble, which commands attention without overwhelming the area. The accessories should be minimal but impactful, perhaps a singular sculpture or a designer book to maintain the table’s refined aesthetic.

Shop the Black Console Table

The tiered shelving on this contemporary black console table, adds both functionality and an opportunity for more elaborate styling. It is particularly versatile, able to support a variety of decorative items without looking cluttered. Indoor plants introduce a touch of life and colour, while books and unique decorative pieces can showcase personal style. The use of a round mirror above it softens the lines and reflects light, making the space feel larger.

Shop the Contemporary Black Console Table

Elegantly styled black contemporary console table with tiered shelving, displaying a variety of decorative items including indoor plants, books, and unique sculptures. A large round mirror mounted above enhances the space, reflecting light and adding depth to the modern decor setup in a well-lit room.

Modern black console table styled in a contemporary home, featuring a monochromatic art piece above and a black vase with decorative accents. This simple yet sophisticated setup highlights the table’s clean lines and the elegant simplicity of its design, perfect for enhancing a refined, urban living space

A minimalist approach has been used in styling the black console table on the left emphasising clean lines and simplicity. It has a very modern feel, suited to a contemporary home where less is more. Styling this table with monochromatic art and objects, like the black vase, creates a cohesive look. A striking piece of wall art above, draws the eye upward, furthering the notion of simple elegance.

Shop the Narrow Black Console Table


With its straight lines and rectangular shape, this console table leans towards a more traditional design. It provides a classic and versatile piece that would fit well in a hallway or as a side table in a living room. Its sturdy appearance gives a sense of durability and substance. Styled with a striking framed artwork and simple accessories, it achieves a look that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing without clutter.

Shop the Black Console Table

black contemporary console table with a streamlined design, styled in a minimalist setting featuring a framed Salvador Dali artwork. The table is accessorized with simple decor items, including a white cup and a small bowl with fruits, placed in a bright room with white walls, enhancing the elegant and functional aesthetics of a contemporary home.


This contemporary black console table, features a minimalist design that combines sleek, modern aesthetics with functional simplicity. Its narrow form makes it particularly well-suited for tight spaces such as hallways or small entryways. The table has a black metal frame and a dark wooden top, which gives it a contemporary and industrial feel.

Styling Suggestions:

1.  Accessories: The table is styled with a balanced mix of decorative and practical items, which keeps it from looking cluttered. White ceramic vases provide a visual contrast to the dark wood, enhancing the table’s appeal without overwhelming the design. Adding a small plant, like the fern shown, introduces a natural element that brings life and colour to the setting.
2.  Colour Contrast: The use of contrasting colours can be effective in drawing attention to the table. Items in lighter shades, such as white, cream, or pastel, will stand out against the dark finish of the wood and frame, making the table a focal point in the room.
3.  Functional Items: Since console tables often serve as catch-alls in entryways, consider including a small tray for keys, a dish for coins, or decorative bowls. These items can be stylish while also keeping the space organised.
4.  Artwork and Mirrors: Hanging a piece of wall art or a mirror above the console table not only fills the vertical space but also complements the overall decor. In this setup, a simple framed print above the table would maintain the minimalist theme.
5.  Lighting: Placing a small lamp on the console table can add warmth to the area, especially in an entryway. For a cleaner look, choose a lamp with a slender profile and a base that matches the black metal of the table’s frame.
6.  Flooring: The choice of a natural fibre rug provides a textural contrast to the sleek surfaces of the table and complements its straightforward design. This can help define the space and add warmth to the entryway.
Sleek black contemporary console table with a minimalist design, featuring a dark wooden top and black metal frame. The table is elegantly styled with a green potted plant, two white ceramic pumpkins, and a set of black candle holders, enhancing a clean and uncluttered look suitable for modern to industrial decor styles, placed against a white wall in a bright room.

This type of console table is excellent for maintaining an uncluttered, open feel in any space, while still providing a practical surface for storage and display. Its clean lines and dark colours make it easy to integrate into various decor styles, from modern to industrial.

Shop the Black Console Table

Styling a black console table is an opportunity to showcase your creativity and enhance the aesthetic of your home. Remember, there are no strict rules – the key is to create a space that you love and that speaks to your personal style. Experiment, have fun with it, and watch as your black console table becomes more than just a piece of furniture, but a reflection of your unique taste and style.


FAQ’s

What Do You Put on a Black Console Table?

A black console table can be styled with a variety of items to create a visually appealing display. Here are some suggestions:

1.  Decorative Vases: Choose vases of varying heights and textures to add interest.
2.  Table Lamps: A sleek or ornate lamp can provide both function and style.
3.  Books: Stack art or design books for a cultured touch.
4.  Candles or Candle Holders: These can add ambiance and a decorative element.
5.  Floral Arrangements: Fresh flowers or potted plants can bring colour and life to the area.
6.  Art Pieces: Sculptures or decorative bowls can serve as conversation pieces.
7.  Mirrors or Wall Art: Above the table, you can hang a mirror or piece of art to reflect light and add depth.
8.  Picture Frames: Display photos or artwork in frames that complement the table’s colour and style.
9.  Trays: A tray can help organise smaller items and keep the surface from looking cluttered.
10. Seasonal Home Decor: Consider rotating items seasonally for a fresh look.

When decorating, consider the overall aesthetic of the room and aim for a balanced look that complements the black console table.

Does a Console Table Have to be Against a Wall?

No, a console table does not always have to be placed against a wall. While traditionally, console tables are often found against a wall in entryways, hallways, or behind sofas, their versatile design allows them to be used in various other ways in a space. Here are some alternative placements for a console table:

  1. Behind a Sofa: In open-concept living spaces, a console table placed behind a sofa can help define the living area and provide a surface for lighting, decorative objects, or storage.
  2. As a Room Divider: A console table can act as a subtle room divider in an open floor plan, helping to separate different areas without blocking sight lines.
  3. In the Centre of a Room: When used as a statement piece, a console table can be placed in the center of a room, perhaps beneath a piece of wall art or a mirror, as long as it doesn’t obstruct traffic flow.
  4. As a Focal Point: A console table can be used as a focal point in a room, perhaps in combination with dramatic artwork or a mirror above it, to create a visual centrepiece.
  5. In a Dining Room: It can also function as a sideboard or serving table during gatherings or as a display for dishes and glassware.
  6. As a Vanity: In a bedroom, a console table can serve as a vanity table, particularly if paired with a mirror above it.
  7. In a Home Office: It can be used as an additional workspace or as a place for printers and office supplies, especially in small home offices.

The versatility of a console table lies in its slim profile and variety of styles, which can be adapted to fit many interior design needs. The key is to maintain a balance between form and function, ensuring that wherever the table is placed, it serves a purpose and enhances the aesthetics of the room.

What is the Best Material for a Console Table?

The “best” material for a console table depends on several factors, including the intended use, the style of the room, durability requirements, and personal preferences. Here’s a rundown of popular materials and their benefits:

  1. Wood: Wooden console tables are classic and versatile. They can be durable and come in a range of finishes from light to dark, making them suitable for many styles, from rustic to contemporary.
  2. Metal: Metal console tables offer a modern look and are very durable. They are often used in industrial or contemporary designs and can be crafted from steel, iron, or aluminum.
  3. Glass: Glass console tables can give a room a light and airy feel. They are ideal for smaller spaces or for a minimalist aesthetic but require regular cleaning to stay smudge-free.
  4. Stone or Marble: Stone or marble tops provide a high-end look and are very durable. They can add a touch of luxury to a space but are heavy and can be expensive.
  5. Composite or Engineered Wood: These materials can be more affordable and environmentally friendly, offering the look of wood without using solid lumber.
  6. Acrylic or Plastic: Acrylic console tables can give a space a modern, eclectic look. They are lightweight and can be transparent, which helps them blend into any décor without visually cluttering a space.
  7. Reclaimed Materials: For an eco-friendly option, reclaimed wood or metal can be used, offering unique character and a story behind the piece.

The best choice also depends on the context of use:

  • For High-Traffic Areas: You might prefer a more durable material that can withstand frequent use and is easy to clean, like metal or sealed wood.
  • For Aesthetic Appeal: If the console is used primarily as a statement piece, materials like glass, marble, or a beautifully grained wood could be preferred.
  • For Practical Use: If you plan to use it for storage or display, you might choose a material that complements other furniture in the room, like a wood that matches your coffee table or shelves.

When selecting a material, it’s also important to consider the maintenance and longevity of the material in relation to your lifestyle and the amount of upkeep you’re willing to commit to.

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