How to choose the right table for any interior — from Georgian elegance to Scandinavian simplicity.
When browsing antique, vintage or contemporary furniture, two small-but-significant pieces tend to confuse people: console tables and side tables. They’re often used interchangeably — but they serve different purposes and offer different design possibilities.
This guide breaks down the differences clearly, using examples across multiple styles: Georgian, Regency, Victorian, Edwardian, Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, mid-century, farmhouse, rustic, Scandinavian and industrial.
Perfect if you’re furnishing your home — or browsing pieces on Avego Antiques.
What Is a Console Table?
A console table is typically:
Long, narrow and tall
Designed to sit against a wall or behind a sofa
More decorative than practical
Used as a hallway table, entryway table, or display surface
Originally used in Georgian and Regency homes, consoles were elegant statement pieces designed to impress guests. Over the centuries, every era created its own version.
Common Features
Slim profile for narrow spaces
Waist-height or taller
Decorative emphasis: mouldings, carvings, curves, veneers
Ideal for lamps, photos, plants, art, or entryway styling
Console Table Examples by Style
Georgian / Regency:
Mahogany or satinwood consoles with inlay, tapered legs, brass accents.
Victorian:
Heavier proportions, carved supports, marble tops.
Edwardian:
Lighter and more elegant, with spade feet or slender tapered legs.
Arts & Crafts:
Solid oak consoles with simple, honest joinery.
Art Deco:
Curved fronts, strong geometry, walnut veneers, chrome accents.
Mid-Century Modern:
Teak, beech or elm consoles with tapered legs and clean lines.
Farmhouse / Rustic:
Plank-top consoles, scrubbed pine, painted bases, and turned legs.
Scandinavian:
Minimalist beech, oak, or teak with clean architectural lines.
Industrial:
Metal frames with wooden tops, raw or utilitarian styling.
What Is a Side Table?
A side table is:
Smaller and lower
Designed to sit beside a sofa, armchair or bed
Focused on practical daily use
Easy to move and reposition
If the console table is the “showpiece,” the side table is the “everyday helper.”
Common Features
Compact footprint
Lower height — usually level with a seat or armrest
Ideal for drinks, lamps, books, remotes, plants
Often neutral or flexible in design
Side Table Examples by Style
Georgian:
Tripod tables, mahogany wine tables, small occasional tables.
Victorian:
Turned-leg lamp tables, oak or walnut occasional tables.
Edwardian:
Inlaid lamp tables and shapely leg profiles.
Arts & Crafts:
Squarer forms, exposed joinery, solid oak.
Art Deco:
Curved ends, stepped forms, rich veneers.
Mid-Century:
Teak end tables, magazine racks, kidney shapes.
Farmhouse / Rustic:
Solid pine stools, chunky side tables, distressed finishes.
Scandinavian:
Simple round tables in beech or light oak.
Industrial:
Metal-and-wood compact tables, factory-inspired styling.
Console vs Side Table — Key Differences
| Feature | Console Table | Side Table |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Taller (70–80cm+) | Lower (45–60cm) |
| Placement | Against a wall / behind sofa | Beside seating or bed |
| Function | Display & decoration | Everyday functionality |
| Size | Long & narrow | Small & compact |
| Style Focus | Design statement | Practical flexibility |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose a Console Table if…
You want a hallway or entryway table
You need something slim for a narrow space
You want a decorative accent piece
You're furnishing in styles like Regency, Victorian, mid-century, Scandinavian or Art Deco
Choose a Side Table if…
You want practicality next to a sofa, armchair or bed
You need something small and movable
You prefer simple, functional design
Your interior leans minimalist, rustic, farmhouse or modern
How Different Styles Influence Your Choice
Period Homes (Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian)
Consoles with fine details suit hallways; side tables with turned legs fit reception rooms and bedrooms.
Arts & Crafts & Art Deco Interiors
Choose consoles with distinctive shapes or materials; side tables with geometric or mission-style bases.
Mid-Century & Scandinavian
Slim teak consoles for hallways; practical beech or teak side tables for seating areas.
Rustic, Farmhouse, or Cottage Interiors
Scrubbed pine consoles for entryways; chunky or painted side tables for cosy spaces.
Industrial Lofts or Modern Spaces
Metal-frame consoles work well in hallways; small reclaimed side tables suit living rooms.
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Where to Use Each Table in Your Home
Best Places for Console Tables
Hallways
Entryways
Behind sofas
Under mirrors
As dressing-table substitutes
As statement stands for lighting or décor
Best Places for Side Tables
Next to sofas and armchairs
Reading corners
Beside beds
Small rooms needing flexible surfaces
Conservatories and garden rooms
Final Tip: Let the Space Guide You
If space is narrow → Console table
If space is cosy → Side table
If you need practicality → Side table
If you want visual impact → Console table
Both pieces can be timeless additions to your home — especially when chosen from authentic antique or vintage examples.
Looking for an antique or vintage console or side table? Explore our curated collection at Avego Antiques, where we specialise in restored, character-filled pieces from Georgian to mid-century and beyond.