Now there are a huge number of furniture options for the hallway. Particularly notable among them are consoles, which, thanks to the assortment, can fit into interiors of various stylistic orientations. Thanks to their high functionality, designers have fallen in love with consoles, and they often use them not only in hallways. Thanks to the presence of such a table, the hallway becomes more interesting and expressive, acquiring individual features. We will talk about this piece of furniture today.
Historical reference
Now anyone can purchase a console for the hallway, but previously such a piece of furniture was the prerogative of only palace interiors. The fashion for such tables dates back to the Baroque era, when interior designs were distinguished by luxurious decoration. The French nobility, and then the Europeans, began installing consoles unique in their beauty in their homes. Today, vintage works of art made from precious wood are the decoration of museums and the object of desire of art connoisseurs.
Nowadays, console tables look and are made a little simpler than in Baroque times, but in their functionality they are especially different from other types of furniture for the hallway, therefore they are used in both classical and modern interiors.
Design features
The classic version of the console is a small tabletop on legs. However, in a modern design, the console can look different, like the forged console table shown in the photo.
Most modern consoles look simple and concise; such models are characterized by drawers. There are also models in which the legs are replaced by a cabinet.
Relatively recently, a transforming console table appeared. This model is a small tabletop on legs that can be folded out to become a regular dining table, such as a white console table for a small kitchen.
Currently, on the furniture market you can find a console complete with mirrors and console-display models with a glass tabletop.
Range of consoles
The console in the hallway is a kind of table, which has legs in the front, and the back part is attached to the wall. It may have all 4 legs or just one. The execution depends on the style in which the furniture is made. This piece of furniture does not lose its popularity over the years, but only adapts to changing conditions.
There are many options for using it in the interior; it allows you to avoid massive tables and cabinets, which will be especially valuable for owners of small apartments.
At the moment, consoles for hallways are made from:
- Wood or its imitation.
- Metal, with forged or polished elements.
- Plastic.
- Natural or artificial stone.
- Glass.
And also combined models are not excluded, for example, with a table top made of wood or stack and forged legs. It can be painted in any color, and also have decorative design in a given style. Consoles for hallways with a mirror have become very popular.
To organically fit this furniture into the interior of the hallway, it is complemented with a mirror, stools, and a painting. One or more wall lights are usually installed above the table. This design will add comfort and coziness to the room.
Types of designs
As previously mentioned, consoles can be of different designs. So, its classic type has a semicircular shape. According to the standard, a console table simply cannot be large, so its width is always small, and its length can be any. Any console must be equipped with legs or supports, which allow it to withstand considerable weight if it is used as a stand for various objects and accessories.
The height of the console in the hallway can be from 70 to 110 cm. At the same time, lower models are combined with a stool to make it possible to create a dressing table. Taller products serve only a decorative function.
Depending on how the console is installed, it can be attached, free-standing or suspended. The first type resembles a table with only 2 legs. They are not enough for stability, so such models are attached to the wall.
Hanging options are nothing more than a shelf. Only they have a leg, which often does not reach the floor, which allows the product to look like it is hanging in the air.
The most mobile are free-standing consoles. These are full-fledged tables that have all three or four legs, due to which they do not need to be attached to the wall. They can be different in shape, even triangular. If necessary, such a console can play the role of another piece of furniture in the apartment.
If the hallway does not have enough space to install a console, then manufacturers now offer corner versions, which, due to their design, have sufficient capacity with compact dimensions.
Important! If owners like to frequently change the location of furniture, then a model attached to the wall will not be the best option. It's better to choose an extension.
Manufacturing materials
Most often in the interior you can find products made from the following materials:
Tempered glass
This model looks weightless and airy, best suited for small spaces where it is important to maintain a feeling of light and spaciousness. External fragility is deceptive - the furniture is highly durable and resistant to mechanical stress
Glass can be smooth and textured, transparent and tinted. Its huge disadvantage is the cost. Natural wood. This environmentally friendly material fits organically into many interior trends - not only traditional country, but also modern high-tech and minimalism. Depending on the style, the wood can be coated with transparent or matte varnish, this way you can emphasize the natural shade and texture. Toning compounds are also used. Wood is a soft material, so products made from it are often decorated with carvings and inlays. Disadvantages: high cost, requires special care. Chipboard. A console made of particle boards is a budget option. Its design is usually simple and laconic, so such products look best in minimalist modern interiors. The disadvantage is that the slabs are unsafe and can emit harmful substances. MDF. This is an alternative to wood. The design of such models is more varied than that of products made from chipboard, and the cost is lower than that of consoles made of natural solid wood. The material is durable, but does not withstand serious mechanical loads. Metal. Models made from this material can be found in urban styles. They look impressive and emphasize the style of the interior. A separate variety is forged consoles, painted white. Such models will be appropriate in Provence and shabby chic style interiors. The disadvantage of metal is its significant weight; you should choose free-standing consoles from it.
Designer tips for choosing and the best photos of furniture for different rooms
Tempered glass
Natural wood
Chipboard
MDF
Metal
Forging
To further decorate console furniture, various techniques are used:
- inlaid with decorative glass and precious metals;
- a mirror is hung above the console, which sometimes comes with it;
- wooden consoles can be painted in any color;
- use veneering technique;
- perform artistic painting to give products individuality and an original appearance;
- the edge of the table top is inlaid or decorated with carved decor, and the surface itself is made of natural stone.
Advantages and disadvantages of parametric furniture, unusual models
Typical classification
All console structures for the hallway can be divided into several types:
- Functional, which are additionally equipped with shelves and drawers for storage. Most often, the design of such furniture items is simple, without excessive decorativeness. This console is used when there is no possibility or need to overload the room with massive cabinets and chests of drawers. The functional console, thanks to its configuration, can be successfully used as a dressing table, which allows you to place it not only in the hallway, but also in the living room or bedroom.
- Decorative, used to complement space if there is empty space. They are smaller in size and do not have additional storage space. Such console tables themselves are an interior decoration, on which you can place accessories or flowerpots. Additional elements for such a console will be a clock, mirror, pouf or other accessories that will give the composition a finished appearance. These products are usually made to order. The final cost will depend on the material and quality of the product.
Advice! A console in the hallway can be an option for decorating an unsightly wall or radiator.
Advantages of use
Thanks to a significant number of advantages, consoles are used more and more often in hallways. So for small apartments with narrow hallways, such furniture is just a godsend. Thanks to its compact size, it can be placed in any room of any size and give it aesthetics and functionality. Thus, the empty space where no more furniture fits will become more comfortable.
Consoles are used by designers in various interior styles. With the help of competent selection of shape, execution, and decorative design, such furniture will become a stylish addition to the interior.
Thanks to the high functionality of the console, you can easily place all the necessary things in the hallway without cluttering the free space. The wall above it can be decorated with a mirror, a small picture, a key holder, a shelf and other functional items. A pouf or stool will fit perfectly under such a table, so it will not interfere with the passage in the corridor.
In a studio apartment where there is no separate hallway, the console will help zone the space. When installing a console table, the entrance area will be strictly marked.
When creating an interior with console tables, you can safely combine different materials and textures. Thus, a console made of natural wood will look organic with a mirror in a carved frame and a stool with noble upholstery.
Consoles in various styles
Even the most unprepossessing hallway, if properly renovated and complemented with a console table, will look as impressive as possible; you just need to choose the right model. The choice depends on the style direction of the room.
For a classic look, a wooden console with elegant carved legs is suitable. The color scheme of such furniture should be pastel, without sharp contrasts. The black and white version will also look good. In small quantities, patina or gilding is appropriate. The optimal shape of the console will be a rectangle or semicircle, the decor is as restrained as possible. To create an accent, a mirror in a classic frame is hung above the console table.
For modern designs in the style of minimalism, hi-tech or similar, choose consoles of strict geometric shapes without frills. It would also be useful to have storage space. It is better to opt for calm shades and solid colors. The material can be any, wood, glass, metal, plastic will do.
The Art Nouveau style implies smooth forms, so the leading position here belongs to semicircular tabletops, but rectangular ones can also be used, only with elegantly curved legs. The drawers are equipped with beautiful metal fittings with pendants and inlays. Materials chosen include wood, glass or forged metal. Furniture can be of any color, but it is better to give preference to glossy surfaces in red, black, white, purple or brown shades.
The console is suitable for the hallway and retro, Provence or vintage style. In this case, tabletops with textile inserts made of jacquard or tapestry look good. Provence is characterized by consoles with a touch of antiquity and a slight patina. The colors chosen are only calm neutrals, the material is wood with forged elements.
Consoles are often found in hallways decorated in eclectic, shabby chic or neoclassical styles. In this case, models of classic design, but with a unique finish, unusual fittings and color, fit perfectly into the interior. This type of console is complemented by all kinds of figurines, lamps and cute accessories.
Fans of everything unusual will certainly like the console table for the hallway in the fusion style. Such products are distinguished by a variety of colors and expressive expression of forms. They can be of unpredictable execution, which is unlikely to go unnoticed in the hallway.
Manufacturing materials and decor
To create a furniture console, different materials are used, and the appearance of the product depends on their choice. The most popular designs are:
- Glass, giving any interior lightness and sophistication, and tempered glass is used to create furniture, which can withstand high loads and even strong impacts;
- Wooden, environmentally friendly and well suited for country style. They can be painted in different shades, but the most popular are models coated with transparent varnish;
- Consoles made of chipboard have an affordable price, so they are often chosen for standard interiors, although they do not have a very attractive appearance and are of low quality;
- Plastic products are available in a variety of shades, but do not look very solid or luxurious. Scratches easily remain on their surface, which are quite difficult to get rid of without professional sanding;
- MDF consoles are considered common, high-quality, beautiful and durable, and products can be created from this material in different styles and colors;
- Metal structures fit well into the high-tech style. For decoration, artistic forging is sometimes used, which allows you to get a truly unique decoration for any interior.
Some manufacturers combine different materials in the process of creating such a product, which makes it possible to obtain truly unusual and interesting models. Additionally, the console can be decorated with various decorative elements. Photos of various models are presented below. The most commonly used options for decoration are:
- The use of inserts made of glass or various precious metals;
- Equipped with a mirror attached to the wall of the room directly above the console;
- Coloring the product in different unique shades;
- Veneering of the structure;
- The use of painting, which can be created even with your own hands;
- The use of natural stone on the tabletop or legs of the product;
- The edge is decorated with decorative carvings.
Plastic
Glass
Tree
Chipboard
MDF
Metal
Choosing the right console
Before buying such furniture, you should think about what the console will be used for in the interior. If the owner wants to see a dressing table in the hallway, then it is better to choose an elongated console and hang a mirror above it. If you want to put the necessary little things in it, then the product should have drawers and shelves to accommodate everything you need.
It is also worth considering what items you plan to place on the console, so that you buy it in a size from which the items will not fall off. Depending on the layout of the hallway, linear or corner consoles are chosen.
It is not enough just to choose the right console model for the hallway; it is important that its color is in harmony with the rest of the interior of the room. You should not give preference to dark options if the room does not have enough area. Light furniture with glass inserts will look better and visually expand the room.
Fans of cheerful design will enjoy modern consoles in bright colors, for example, orange, yellow, red and the like. They are good, but only in large hallways, as they will focus on volume.
A universal option would be a white console that would look perfect in any hallway. It can enliven and lighten a gloomy interior or emphasize the harmony of a bright design. In a hallway of pastel shades, such an interior detail will stand out favorably, becoming the center of the overall composition.
Consoles decorated with veneer will always be relevant. Moreover, they can have either a natural shade or be painted in any other color. The choice of color depends on the style of the hallway. Natural wood texture is ideal for a classic interior.
Black consoles look great, regardless of whether they are glossy or matte. Black color in this case acts as an accent, so all surfaces in the room are made in light colors. To break up the interior, bright accents are used, for example, lemon yellow, orange, red, blue or other shades. Black consoles are usually placed in hallways designed in loft or minimalist style.
Stylish design options
Here's what the designers offer us:
- An original solution would be to imitate the console in the interior. To do this, you can simply fix the tabletop on the wall, and attach the decorative curly legs separately or simply paint them on the wall as a finishing touch.
- A transforming table with additional drawers or a hidden storage system expands the functionality of the furniture.
- Consoles perfectly complement various interior styles. The smooth, glossy transformer table with a metallic mirror shine will be appreciated by lovers of the modern loft style.
- Ideal for a small kitchen-living room: bright glossy finish and lightweight design.
- The most popular option is a snow-white console that turns into a dining table. Even when disassembled, such a table will look light and almost weightless.
- A long console can be placed near the sofa in the living room. This is very convenient, firstly, because when folded, you can very conveniently place a cup of coffee, a lamp or books. And secondly, when guests arrive, it won’t take much time to unfold the console and organize a large family dinner.