5 Console Styling Tips Every Designer Swears By

A beautifully styled console table is one of those design moments that can completely transform a space. Whether it’s in your entryway, living room, or dining room, a console is often the first thing guests see,  it sets the tone for the rest of your home. When styled thoughtfully, it creates a sense of balance, personality, and polish that feels both effortless and elevated.

As an interior designer, I’ve styled countless consoles in homes across Ireland, from contemporary open-plan spaces to timeless country houses. While every home is unique, there are a few design principles that never fail. Here are five console styling tips every designer swears by,  and a few extra insights for creating a look that feels truly personal to your space.

1. Play With Height

One of the biggest mistakes people make when styling a console is keeping everything on a single level. When every object is the same height, the display feels flat and uninspired. To create depth and interest, play with varying heights and proportions so your eye naturally travels across the vignette.

Think of your console as a composition. You might start with a tall lamp on one side to anchor the arrangement, then layer in a medium-height vase or sculpture, followed by smaller accessories like candles, trays, or books.

For a balanced but dynamic setup, follow the designer’s rule of three: one tall, one medium, and one small item grouped together. This creates visual rhythm while keeping the overall look cohesive.

Designer tip: Don’t be afraid of asymmetry. A console that feels slightly unbalanced often looks more natural and lived-in, the goal is “beautifully imperfect”, not overly curated.

2. Books & Chic Boxes

Styling with coffee table books is an interior design staple for a reason, they add structure, height, and personality. Stack two or three books with coordinating spines and use them as platforms to elevate smaller pieces like candles, decorative bowls, or small sculptures.

Decorative boxes are another favourite tool for both form and function. They keep clutter hidden while adding texture and polish. Look for linen, marble, or rattan finishes to introduce tactile interest.

If you want your console to reflect your personality, choose books and boxes that speak to your interests, design, architecture, travel, or art. These subtle details tell a story and make your home feel intentionally designed.

3. Add Greenery for Texture & Movement

Every console needs something alive, or at least, something that feels alive. Greenery adds texture, colour, and movement, softening the lines of hard surfaces and grounding your arrangement in nature.

Fresh flowers in a sculptural vase can instantly lift the energy of a room, while tall branches or trailing foliage create height and drama. For low-maintenance elegance, high-quality faux stems are a smart choice that last year-round.

Plants and natural textures also help bridge the gap between the organic and the refined, perfect for creating that timeless, relaxed luxury that defines many Irish interiors.

Stylist’s suggestion: If your console sits in a darker hallway, use plants like ferns, eucalyptus, or olive stems that thrive in softer light, or opt for realistic faux versions for lasting impact.

4. Mirrors for Light, & Depth

Placing a mirror above your console table is one of the oldest and most effective design tricks. Not only does it make your space feel larger and brighter by reflecting light, but it also creates a strong visual anchor for your vignette.

Choose a mirror that suits your design personality. A sleek, frameless mirror complements modern spaces, while an ornate gilt or aged brass frame brings warmth and character to more traditional homes.

If mirrors aren’t your style, consider layered artwork or framed prints instead. Overlapping two or three pieces of art against the wall adds depth and a relaxed, gallery-inspired aesthetic,  a popular look among contemporary interior designers in Ireland.

Designer insight: Ensure your mirror reflects something beautiful,  natural light, artwork, or a glimpse of greenery. It doubles the impact of the details that make your space feel special.

5. Mix Materials & Finishes

The secret to a truly sophisticated console display is in the mix. A well-styled surface includes a variety of materials and finishes that play off one another, shiny against matte, hard against soft, organic against structured.

Layer warm wood tones with metallic accents like brass or bronze. Add glossy ceramics beside textured linen trays or natural stone sculptures. This contrast brings dimension and richness to your console, preventing it from looking one-note or sterile.

For those drawn to luxury interior design, this tactile mix is what gives a space that effortless yet elevated feel, the sense that every element has been thoughtfully chosen.

Designer tip: Keep your colour palette cohesive. Stick to three or four core tones (e.g. neutral, metallic, green, and wood) to maintain a polished, curated aesthetic.

A well-styled console table is about more than decoration, it’s about setting the tone for your entire home. It reflects your taste, your lifestyle, and the way you want your space to feel.

By layering height, texture, greenery, light, and personality, you’ll create a timeless console display that feels intentional and beautifully balanced, one that looks like it was crafted by a professional designer but feels entirely your own.

If you’re ready to bring these ideas to life, explore Mairéad Collier Interiors’ design services, where thoughtful styling meets elevated design, helping you create a home that feels both luxurious and lived-in.

Want to see exactly how I put these principles into practice? Head over to my YouTube channel, where I walk you through console styling step by step, showing you how to balance scale, layer accessories, and bring it all together into a cohesive look.