Have you ever looked at the empty space behind your sofa and wondered what to do with it? A console table behind the couch is the perfect solution. It brings function and style to your living room and creates a polished, finished look that makes the whole space feel cozier.
Whether you want a spot to set down drinks, show off your favorite decor or add a little extra storage, styling a console table is one of the easiest ways to refresh your living room. Let's walk through my favorite tips and ideas for making this hardworking piece both beautiful and practical.
When we moved into our current house, the living room was the room I was most worried about decorating. We had bought a sectional for our old house, but it took so long to arrive that we had it delivered to the new house.
Thankfully, I love the new sectional in this room. (I brought a measuring tape to the house showing to make sure it would fit!) And I was pleasantly surprised that my beloved Everett console table fit perfectly behind it! I love our new cozy living room layout, which feels less open than our old one.
The new challenge for me was styling the console table behind the sofa and in the middle of the room. It needed to be functional (with lamps for reading) and beautiful (of course!), and it shouldn't feel like a wall plopped in the middle of the living room.
I'd pretty much styled it one way since I set it up, but I decided to play around with other looks and found 3 new ways to style it, too! I thought I'd share them in case you also have a console table behind a sofa. These decorating ideas also work for any flat surface!
Decorating a table that's out in the room isn't the same as decorating one pushed against a wall. For one, you won't want to fill the table with really tall decor, because then you won't be able to see over it.
So keep that in mind as you style these. For example, when I styled this console table against a wall in my old house, I put a big piece of art in the middle. That won't work in this situation.
Benefits of Using a Console Table Behind a Sofa
- Defines the space – Especially in open floor plans, it creates a boundary without closing off the room.
- Adds storage – Use baskets underneath for blankets, toys or even extra throw pillows.
- Provides lighting – A console table is the perfect spot for a lamp or two.
- Easy to style seasonally – It's like having a mini mantel to decorate all year long.
- Functional surface – Perfect for setting down drinks, keys or your current read.
How to Style a Behind-the-Couch Table
Each style varies a little, but I like to include at least one of each of these elements whenever I decorate a horizontal surface.
- Books – for entertaining and height
- Organic shapes – for interest (animal figurines or items from nature, like this grape wood branch)
- Greenery (real or faux, I usually mix both, if we're being honest) – to breathe some life into my decor
- Tray or console basket – for corralling items or blankets and pillows
- Lamp – for the cozy factor!
Console Table #1: The Symmetrical Sofa Table with 2 Lamps & 2 Baskets
Styling symmetrically is probably my favorite way to decorate, though it isn't always the most pleasing to my eye. I just find it easy. So this formula is the one I've used most on our console table behind the couch.
It includes my two favorite lamps on either side of the table, with a short stack of books and an accessory in the middle. The little brass turtle on top of the books brings in the organic element.
The faux plant on the right and the blanket draped over the basket edge on the bottom left add enough asymmetry to feel a little more interesting and less "plain Jane."
On the bottom, I have two of my very favorite console baskets. It's a simple yet classic style, and we switch on these lamps every evening once the sun goes down for a cozy vibe in our living room.
Console Table #2: Asymmetrical Sofa Table Decor with 1 Lamp & 2 Baskets
For this look, I kept the two baskets on the bottom but removed one of the lamps. It still needed something tall(ish) on the right side to feel balanced, so I moved the stack of books under my faux spider plant to add height.
Then I added an organic shape with this dried grape wood branch. It adds interest and stays low enough to see over.
I think I like this look best, but we love having both lamps on the table for lighting. If I were to change our current look, though, I'd switch to this one!
Style #3: Asymmetrical Decor with 1 Lamp and 1 Basket
I took one of the baskets away and added some decor underneath. I loved how this tray pulled these three items on the bottom left together.
The limestone knot decor at the bottom adds organic interest. And the bowl on top of the table can serve as a catch-all for keys or remote controls. If your console table is near a door, you may need the bowl for everyday items.
See how I balanced it by placing the large lamp on one side and the large basket on the bottom of the other side? It would have looked funny if both larger items were on just one side.
Style #4: Asymmetrical Style with 1 Lamp
If you don't need or want baskets, here's a way to decorate your console table without them! I also put a tray on top for corralling remotes, if you need that too.
Moving the lamp to the other side of the table opens up a clearer sightline, too! Do whatever works best in your living room design.
I hope these different styles helped you find a way to decorate your table behind the sofa. I just walked around my house, collected a bunch of items and moved them around until they looked good. So get creative and use what you already have at home, too!
See more Living Room sources here. Wall color: Hale Navy
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