Mission Console Table

Contemporary console tables are now doubling as a coffee table or serving as end tables beside sofas or as alternatives to the classic glass table that sometimes is too large and cumbersome for modern apartments and studios.

A hall or marble table may be called a console table if it is a little narrower than the traditional models with other names. Side or accent tables that are high enough to be a cocktail table or a buffet will often be sold as console tables because they are so versatile their makers do not want to limit them by giving them a specific function name.

Demilune vs. Modern Console Table

Although the small tables that graced French entryways in the 1700’s, also called a “demilune” (which is a French word for half moon or semi-circle), are the most well known classic console tables, in fact modern examples that use “console” to describe themselves can include tables that are rectangular, round, oval and almost every shape possible. Although there is no hard rule to which everyone in the furniture industry adheres while naming their products, it would be safe to say that contemporary console tables, no matter what their shape and style will have at least two or three features in common.

• They are tables designed for small areas or to accent another piece of furniture.
• They will have one or more sides that will be able to rest against a flat surface, an object, another piece of furniture, or a wall.
• They will be narrower and taller than other types of tables.

These are not the same features that differentiate CLASSIC console tables from other variations.

The traditional console table was easily recognized because it had obvious distinctive features. It was always a tall table in the shape of a half circle or a long table enhanced with ornamentation that was deigned to be mounted on a wall or supported by two or three legs. These differences are less obvious in the contemporary designs.

What is a Contemporary Console Table?

Contemporary console tables are primarily long – 50 up to 70 or more inches in length, narrow -15 inches in width, and tall – 30 or more inches in height. They may have a half circle shape or they may be totally rectangular, but they will fit well pressed against a wall, behind a sofa, on a wall between 2 windows, or at the end of a narrow hallway or along the entrance wall near a main door.

Many of the contemporary styles incorporate a set of drawers or shelves immediately beneath the top, yet still leave the majority of the table open…although there are some contemporary replicas of antique Asian models that are considered console tables but are more like a cabinet. These include the entertainment console units that are totally closed, but because they are long and relatively narrow, and are intended to be pushed up against a wall, they are deemed console tables or console units.

Modern Console Table Designers

There are contemporary styled console tables, by furniture designers such as Taylor Llorente, who create more than just rectangular boxes or half moons made of glass. There are geometric gilt pieces and even carved white console tables like the ornamental, couture console of the European Rococo style, in hand-carved Beachwood with Travertine Marble tops. Some of these contemporary console table designs are so intricate and well crafted, so breathtaking, that you may not be surprised that they can cost $8,000 to more than $10,000.

For more affordable designer console table options with the ultimate in modern and contemporary designs, check into Scandinavian furniture outlets online and see their clean lines and crispy cool contemporary console tables such as the Hilda oak console table. Or you may find the right modern piece in a Scandinavian-inspired iron, glass or all-wood console table from Johnston Casuals.

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