Palazzo
Marble Console Table
$1,650
from $138/mo
Dimension Guide
Console Table Dimensions & Sizing
Quick Answer
Console tables run 30 to 34 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches deep. In an entryway, choose a length around half to two thirds of the wall; behind a sofa, match the sofa height and stay a few inches shorter than its length.
Console table sizes by use
| Use | Length | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow hallway | 36in to 48in | 10in to 14in deep |
| Entryway | 48in to 60in | 14in to 18in deep |
| Behind a sofa | Sofa length minus 6in to 12in | 12in to 16in deep |
| Dining room serving | 60in to 72in | 16in to 20in deep |
| Under a TV | TV width plus 6in | 16in to 20in deep |
Height and Depth First
Console height is the one dimension with almost no flexibility: 30 to 34 inches, which puts the surface at a comfortable standing reach and leaves wall for a mirror or art above. Behind a sofa, match the sofa's back height instead — a console taller than the sofa reads as a mistake from across the room.
Depth is decided by circulation. In corridors, keep to 10 to 14 inches and check that the remaining passage is at least 36 inches. In an entryway with more space, 14 to 18 inches gives a genuinely useful surface for keys, post and a tray.
Length and What Goes Above
A console should occupy roughly half to two thirds of the wall it sits against, leaving visible wall on both sides. Once the length is set, the mirror or artwork above should span about two thirds of the console, hung 4 to 6 inches above the surface with its centre near 60 inches from the floor.
Compose the surface in odd numbers and varied heights: a lamp or a tall vase at one end, a tray and a small object towards the other, and at least a third of the surface left empty. A fully dressed console reads as clutter within a week of real use.
Materials and Placement
Entryways are wet, so choose a top that tolerates it — marble, travertine, sealed stone or metal rather than raw timber. In narrow spaces, a slim brass or blackened steel frame with a stone top takes up less visual room than a solid case piece while offering the same surface.
Behind a sofa in an open-plan room, a console does double work: it defines the back edge of the seating zone and provides a place for lamps that would otherwise need floor space. Leave at least 3 inches between the sofa back and the console so cushions clear it.
Frequently Asked
- What is standard console table height?
- 30 to 34 inches, or level with the sofa back when placed behind seating.
- How deep should an entry console be?
- 14 to 18 inches, or 10 to 14 inches in a corridor where clearance matters.
- How long should a console table be?
- Half to two thirds of the wall it occupies.
- What goes above a console table?
- A mirror or artwork about two thirds the console's width, hung 4 to 6 inches above it.
- Can a console be taller than the sofa?
- No — match the sofa back height or sit slightly below it.