Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

  • Shop Our Houses
    • Our Current House
    • Our Richmond House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
  • Before & Afters
    • Our Current House
    • Our Previous House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
    • Our First House
    • Our Second House
    • Our Showhouse
  • DIY & Decorating Tips
    • Most Popular
    • Home Improvement
    • Painting
    • Cleaning & Organizing
    • Crafting & Art
    • More . . .
  • Painting Projects
  • Plants Guides
  • Shop
    • Our Fav Home Finds
    • Our Lighting Line
    • Our Books
    • Book Club Picks
    • Black-Owned Businesses

Young House Love » Decorating » Decorating A Console Table Behind A Couch

| By Sherry Petersik | April 25, 2011 | 449 Comments

Decorating A Console Table Behind A Couch

The console returns. Yes, the console is like Rocky and Batman movies. The sequels keep coming. Maybe instead of The Console Returns we should say “Console: The Final Chapter” or “The Console Strikes Again” or “I Still Know What You Did Last Console.” No? Fine. We’ll stick with The Console Returns.

Yes, after many (many) posts about our big console build, this is the official finale. And this one is the most exciting for me because it’s all about the fun stuff I put on it. Haha. I’m deep, what can I say? I’m sure it’ll constantly change, but here’s what it looks like today:

Console Whole Room

Console Light

Console Side Straight

Console Side Slant

Console Straight

Console Slant Front

The lamps were more than we’ve ever spent on lamps (I have some sort of imaginary $50-a-pop maximum and these were $59 each) but from the moment I saw them at Marshall’s I couldn’t. walk. away. I even texted a picture of them to my friend Cat and she said “You’re a magpie, gotta have ’em if they’re shiny.” So I said to myself: “Self, what’s $18 extra bucks when it’s true lamp love?” It did help that they were marked down from $125 each.

We also picked up that big capiz-topped black lacquered box from HomeGoods (on clearance for $15, down from $36) because I knew it would be awesome for stashing nearly all of the clutter that seems to collect on the sofa (a few magazines, books, notebooks, pens, remotes, and even my brush and lotion). And the sleek glammy vibe worked with the blingy lamps to bring some modern chicness to our rustic ol’ console beast.

Console Box Closed

Console Box Open

Other than that I just brought in some stuff that we already owned, from a few stacks of pretty hardcover books that I love to flip through (which are also functional thanks to a handy coaster that I stacked on top for my nightly cup of tea and the smaller white capiz box that’s secretly full of my smaller sofa essentials (lip gloss, vitamins, nail clippers, etc).

Console Lamp Close

Console Tea

Console Other Side2

And this cute $3 thrifted quatrefoil tray is perfect for all of the jewelry that I like to remove as soon as I sink into my special spot on the sectional (the chaise in case you’re wondering).

Console Jewelry

And here’s what we have going on in those hidden baskets in the middle compartment. The left side is full of board games since this the room where we usually get our game on. And the basket on the right has a lesser used remote (for the DVD player) as well as some books that we got for Clara from the library (we try to keep them all together so we’re not looking everywhere for one last book on the day that they’re due).

Console Baskets Cabinet

And of course we have a little ceramic animal action going on thanks to my old ZGallerie rhino friend. Probably just for a bit until Clara gets bigger and he becomes endangered. Then he’ll go live on the built-ins in the dining room again:

Console Rhino Side

For some reason this shot kills me. The little ceramic rhino butt in the background gets me every time.

Console Other Side Rhino Bu

As for the bookshelf sides of the console, we found three of these $5 baskets at HomeGoods, so the one on the close side of the console on the bottom shelf is full of a bunch of Clara’s board books while the top shelf has some of our books and a fun little Cardboard Safari rhino going on.

Console Side Straight

… and two more baskets on the far side of the console have blocks and other small toys stashed inside.

Console Other Side

We’re sure everything that we have on/in the console table will be constantly changing. For example, once Clara’s a bit more mobile I don’t think my beloved ceramic rhino will get to live up there anymore. Unless I want him to meet an untimely end like my ceramic pooch.

Console Rhino Side

Heck, she might even try to murder the cardboard rhino on that side shelf (so far, so good though) so we’re just going to play it by ear. We might decide that we’d like more empty space for putting stuff down on the top of the console (we have that big expanse in the center for a large bowl of chips or something, along with plenty of room for more coasters for drinks, but you never know if we’ll want even more). So it’ll be fun to tweak it and watch it evolve as the rest of the room comes together over the next year or two (still on the list: breezy curtains to add softness, a larger and more balanced looking media cabinet, etc).

And now for the weirdest video we’ve ever made. We were in sort of a quirky mood so we thought it would be hilarious to make a sexy stroking-the-console-video of the whole thing in action (we even throw open that middle compartment for ya to see how it opens and closes in “real time”). The music kills me. And the slow motion. Yup, we’re still laughing about it:

Strangest video you’ve ever seen. Am I right? Oh and we have one more pic for ya. At night it’s all sorts of magical in the living room now that we removed all the weird ceiling fans and that off-center corner pendant light and use the console table lamps along with the desk lamp to illuminate the room.

Console Night

This photo doesn’t even do it justice, but in person it’s so cozy and glowey and charming. And we can only imagine how the right curtains and a bigger and more proportionate media cabinet will take this work-in-progress room a whole lot further. Someday…

Psst- Wanna flip back through the whole console building journey? Here’s the first post, the second post, the third post, the fourth post, and the fifth post.

More posts from Young House Love

Filed Under: Decorating, Our Second House

How To Add A Rain Barrel
Fab Freebie: If Walls Could Talk

Comments

  1. Kristin says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    I have to say, your post is making me more excited that a HomeGoods is opening 1 mile down the road from me on Sunday. No more 45 minute trips to the nearest store for me! I am SO excited!

    Reply
  2. Catherine says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    The chaise is my special spot on our sectional, too– my husband calls it “the girl-spot”. :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 12:09 pm

      Haha, I claimed it right away and John was about to protest but he realized he’s too tall so his feet hang off the edge. So I got it. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  3. Jessica says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    Are the lamps silver or bronze? They each look different in the lighting of the different pictures…

    The lamps are a little reminiscent of the silver ones at Target. Do you know which ones I’m referring to?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 12:09 pm

      They’re silver. I think I know the Target ones you’ve mentioned. Those are cute too!

      xo,
      s

  4. rachel says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    Definitely love it! I love the bolder version this house around :) Lookin good!

    Reply
  5. Tae says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    That video was so crazy hilarious. and i absolutely love your console!! it’s beautiful and the way you’ve styled it, too. i noticed you wrote in few comment responses that there’s a possibility for black and white photos in your frames, and although i’m sure i’ll be enamored of whatever you guys decide, that would probably by my vote!!

    Also, just wanted to say thank you so much for giving me that final push toward Pinterest. Oh my goodness. It’s really amazing and fun. i love following your pins, and I’ve been a looong time YHL reader, too, so long that it took me a while to start calling it YHL because i still had TYH stuck in my head. if you’re interested or have time, here’s my Pinterest page: http://pinterest.com/tchyrel/

    thanks again!! i look forward to your inspiration everyday!

    Reply
  6. Martina says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    This whole room is looking really lovely. Good job! We have a big Tylosand sofa from IKEA configured into an L-shape and it’s also perfect for sleeping and lounging. There are 2 favored spots that are developing butt-dents (and we’re not big people.) It’s so comfy though. I love your rug. It makes me want to reintroduce rugs into our house.

    Reply
  7. Kate @ Travelmoon says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    That console looks just fabulous! Definitely makes the room look finished, especially with those shiny lamps!

    Reply
  8. georgia says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    Love love lurrrrve the console table!

    Love the way the rooms come together looks really fresh and young! I’m loving the colours! :)

    I think the lamps are super cheap, in the uk you would prob spent over $100 for one of them, so u have got a lovely bargain!

    Ooh also I love the video of crazy burger making clara laugh! Did you guys have a good easter? What did clara get from the easter bunny?

    Xx

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 12:37 pm

      We had an awesome easter! In fact we’re working on a post all about it for tomorrow. There are so many cute Clara pictures the internet might explode…

      xo,
      s

  9. renee says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    I need a cigarette after that video
    :)
    Gorgeous room!

    Reply
  10. Katie J. says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    You guys crack me up:). Thanks for the laughs… the room looks awesome!

    Reply
  11. grace says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    Love, love, love the fully decorated console. The lamps are gorgeous. Just a thought though: have you considered using bookends to stack some books vertically? It might add some nice height to the room because the sofa, and table are more low.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 12:36 pm

      I gave that a try but it looked a little formal for us so we switched it out for a few casual horizontal stacks of big hardcover books. Who knows where we’ll end up though- we definitely expect that the console will change about a million times as we go!

      xo,
      s

  12. Erin L says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    You guys are hilarious! What a video!! And Sherry those lamps are perfect. For some reason they remind me of the perfect hoop earings to complete an outfit :)

    Reply
  13. Callie says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    This room is really coming together—The console all decked out looks awesome guys!

    Reply
  14. Lisa R. says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:37 pm

    Hi John,I am so impressed with your ability to make and do most anything that you set your mind on. This table is so amazing,you did a super job!! Good job, John!! – L.R.

    Reply
  15. Tiffany says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    Very nice. Love the lamps and storage boxes.

    Reply
  16. Jennifer says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:39 pm

    Looks awesome! I immediately recognized the lamps and knew where you got them; I’ve been drooling over them myself but don’t have the required huge spot for them.

    Reply
  17. Kayla says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:39 pm

    I have to say, I did not love the console table to begin with. It just seemed kinda awkard and like it didn’t go. But now with the accessories, it has definitely won me over. We have a giant sectional in our living room, and this would be a great solution for lighting and a place to set beverages. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  18. margie says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    It looks amazing!! you guys are so talented, I would never of known what to do with such a large room. great job!

    Reply
  19. candace @ thecandace.com says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    Loving the console table all gussied up!!! Great work and hilarious video! :)

    Reply
  20. Adriane @ GreenhornLiving says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    I just saw those lamps at TJMaxx a month ago and fell in love–but left them because I have no place for them. My husband is one of those crazies who thinks me just carrying a lamp around the house because it’s pretty is not acceptable. :)

    ps-I want your rug so badly! West Elm used to have something similar but now I can’t find it. It just looks like the most comfy happy rug ever (but I can’t use the green color even though I like it).

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 12:46 pm

      They also have it in orange (over on overstock.com) if that helps! It’s definitely our coziest rug and Clara’s favorite play spot!

      xo,
      s

  21. Ashton says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:46 pm

    Where did you get the rhino!?

    Reply
  22. Ashton says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    both of them! haha

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 1:03 pm

      One is from cardboardsafari.com (the cardboard one) and one is from zgallerie.com (the ceramic one). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  23. Catharine @ Your Modern Couple says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    Confession: I always love it when you guys have a video, so when I got through to the bottom of an already fabulous post, I was SO excited to see a video! And then I watched it.. I’ve been dying of laughter ever since. You guys are so hilarious. It reminded me of how my college professor would always tell us to “keep it low and sexy” regarding our interiors. I never REALLY knew what that meant until now. You guys are awesome!

    Reply
  24. Randa says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    Love the console! Looks great with all the stuff on and in it. Very nicely done!

    Can’t say I loved the video though… kind of creeped me out :)

    Reply
  25. Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    I was *this* close to buying those exact lamps from HomeGoods at the beginning of the month! However, I ended up buying two lamps that are exact replicas to Z Gallerie’s Weston lamp which can be seen on my blog here: http://desertdomicile.blogspot.com/2011/04/homegoods-gold.html

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 1:04 pm

      Oooooh those are gorgeous too. Great find!

      xo,
      s

  26. Charlotte says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    I see you showed that sewing machine who’s boss and wrangled Sue into some sleek pillows! Well done, Sherry Petersik! The console looks ah-mazing. I wish I had your accessorizing skillz.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 1:04 pm

      Oh yes, but I can’t exactly claim to have showed the sewing machine who’s boss. That thing is crazy! Haha. We’re working on a post soon about those pillows though- just as soon as we write it and edit the pics.

      xo,
      s

  27. K says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    The console table rocks my world – you two have seriously outdone yourselves.

    Reply
  28. KathyG says

    April 25, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    The Final Frontier: Behind Karl’s Back

    Looks amazing. Esp. love that evening shot. It’s like that room got a shot of B12 – so young and fresh looking.

    Reply
  29. pattilouwho says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:02 pm

    Fantabulous!! I’m having major room envy with that new living room of yours. Great job you two!

    Reply
  30. Lori @ Richmond, BABY! says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    Love it! The hidden storage nook is my favorite, then the rhino. His tushie is cute. :)

    Reply
  31. heather says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:07 pm

    AAH Hahaha. That video was AMAZING. I actually laughed out loud quite a few times and had a grin on my face ear to ear. That was so completely weird and random and mostly hilarious.

    I love it. The console also looks super good, though I’m not sure I can ever think of the same again though. It now needs a romantic name, like Fabio, or Roberto, or something that ends in an O.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 1:22 pm

      Haha, I love Fabio and Roberto. Total contenders.

      xo,
      s

  32. carolinaheartstrings says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    I love those lamps. Great looking living area.

    Reply
  33. Mary says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    This is completely off topic, but can you tell me re: Pinterest, once I enter the website, how do I get an “invitation” to use it? (I know, I am sooo technologically challenged :)) Thanks!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 1:22 pm

      When you go to pinterest.com you should see a place to enter your email to sign up and get “on the list” and once you do it they should say “you’re on the list, just stand by for a log-in.” It took about two weeks for my log-in to arrive via email, but it was totally worth the wait!

      xo,
      s

  34. Ashley @ DesignBuildLove.co says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    The final chapter is AMAZING! I LOVE how the console turned out and the decor is perfect! YES… I would have sprung at those lamps too! I LOVE shiny things… it’s a problem of mine. :) Great job! And the final pic of the room illuminated by just the lamps is totally romantic, warm, and inviting! It’s screaming for a movie night!!! ENJOY guys!

    Reply
  35. Danielle says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    Love the lamps! Apparently I need to start adding Marshalls to my list of places to go for great ‘home’ stuff if those lamps are any indication. Gorgeous!

    Reply
  36. Elisa says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    I have an equal amount of love for the console and for Burger’s bum in the first photo :)

    Reply
  37. MelissaOklahoma says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    Wow, looks great! And those lamps are gorgeous – I’m totally jealous! :)

    Reply
  38. leslie says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:27 pm

    this home has a much more modern feel than your first one did, which i really like.

    i’m just wondering about the placement of the couch and console, practicality-wise. i know i’d get really annoyed having to move a bunch of stuff to get to my storage, but maybe that’s just the city-dwelling, tiny-space-living side of me speaking.

    what’s your experience so far with the actual utilitarian aspects of the room?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 1:35 pm

      Did you watch our bow-chicka-bow-wow video? Getting to the storage in the middle is really easy! And of course the storage on the sides is out in the open as well, so there’s no moving the sofa to access stuff or anything like that. We actually think it’s super practical and a lot easier than even having a coffee table in some ways (we got a lot more surface area along with more hidden storage space and it’s so nice to reach back while lounging to grab my tea mug instead of having to leaning forward/get up). I’m lazy like that. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  39. Mary says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    Thanks Sherry re Pinterest.

    Reply
  40. Karla @ {TheClassyWoman} says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    I love your new console and the new lamps are PERFECT!!! I would love to have a quatrefoil tray like that, what a steal!

    Reply
  41. Melsy says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    Love everything you guys did with the console. What software do you guys use to edit videos? Was there a tutorial somewhere in your blog? Thanks!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 1:33 pm

      We just use iMovie ’09 (which came with our MacBook). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  42. Paige says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    Love. Those. Lamps. I was hoping they’d be round to play off of the mirror over the desk. Yay!

    Reply
  43. Lisa @ Room by Room says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    O
    M
    G

    That video!

    Reply
  44. Pam Redington says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the lamps, I am going to Marshall’s this weekend to see if they have any!

    Reply
  45. Kristen @ K Leigh Ford says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    BOW CHIC A BOW BOW.

    Reply
  46. Lindsey says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    One reaction:

    Toenail clippers on the sofa??

    okay, no judging.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 2:13 pm

      They’re for fingers! Mine and Clara’s. But I use a blanket under them since I’m an anal momma. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  47. Laura says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    This looks fantastic! I love it! It actually reminds me a lot of my own living room. We have a large sectional and ottoman and for so long the room felt “empty”. My mother in law suggested some sofa tables and we were actually able to find one at Ikea and bought two to make the length of the sofa…it makes the room feel so much more proportional. We also have a trio of white ceramic birds on display :). I love the colour scheme as well – we have a trio of custom paintings I gave my husband for Christmas one year that I matched the sofa cushions and all our accents to – this makes me feel like I sort of know what I am doing after seeing this! Great job!

    Reply
  48. rachael says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Ooo, I love the nighttime shot!! I don’t know if you moved the rug or what but with the console table dressed to the nines now the rug seems to fit better. I loved it before but now its not the first thing my eyes are drawn to when I look at the pictures. Two more things: I came across a previous post where you were interested in doing something to the ceiling, like metallic or pearlescent paint, did you do that or change your mind? And what happened to the floor lamp that was in the corner by the chaise side of the sofa?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      April 25, 2011 at 2:12 pm

      That floor lamp near the chaise was just there until we got a console and table lamps (which feel a lot more balanced to us) so now that floor lamp lives in the master bedroom near our big leather chair and a large potted plant. As for the ceiling, we’re still not sure where we’ll end up – but we’ll post all about whatever we decide to do when we get there!

      xo,
      s

  49. Cherri T. says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    I’m sick with lamp envy! I have somewhat of a lamp fetish but alas, such a small house that I always have trouble justifying the new purchase of one that I have no room for. Boo.

    Reply
  50. Ashley says

    April 25, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    I nearly spit my coffee all over the screen from that video! My hubby thought it was pretty hilarious too!

    Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
*This site contains ads and affiliate links*
See our disclaimer & privacy policy to learn more

Latest Finds

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

SHOP OUR LIGHTING

Young House Love Shades Of Light Capiz Chandelier

GET POSTS BY EMAIL

We’re Digging

Traditional Rug
The “Magic” Rug
Smokeless Solo Stove Firepit
Smokeless Firepit
Outdoor Solar LED Path Lights
Solar Path Lights
Criss Cross Office Chair
Our Desk Chair
Blue Air 211 Air Purifier
Our Air Purifiers
Eufy 11S Max Robot Vacuum
Our Robot Vacuum
Kohler Memoirs Toilet
Our Favorite Toilet
Livable Luxe Book
Fav Design Book
SEE MORE OF OUR FAVORITE FINDS > >

  • About
  • FAQs
  • Press
  • Contact
  • :)

© 2025 Young House Love ® · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · A Fun Wordpress theme on Genesis Framework · Hosted by Liquid Web