Quick answer: Choose a console no taller than the sofa back, or an inch or two lower, about 2 to 3 feet shorter than the sofa in length, and 12 to 16 inches deep. Add a pair of lamps, a few books and baskets on a lower shelf for a finished look.
Why float the sofa
Pulling a sofa away from the wall can make a living room feel more intimate and creates a natural walkway behind it. In an open plan, it divides the living area from the dining or kitchen space. The back of a sofa is rarely its best side, though, and that is where a console table comes in. It hides the back, adds a surface for lamps and drinks, and gives the room a finished, furnished look from every angle.
Height and length
The top of the console should be level with the sofa back or an inch or two lower, so it reads as one piece and nothing pokes up behind people's heads. Most sofa backs sit around 30 to 34 inches. For length, aim for 2 to 3 feet shorter than the sofa so the console does not stick out past the arms. A sculpted console table with shelves gives you a top for lamps and a shelf below for baskets and books.
Depth and walkway
Behind a sofa, depth matters because people walk past. Keep the console 12 to 16 inches deep and leave at least 30 inches of walkway behind it, more if it sits on a main path. A driftwood narrow console table is ideal for tight spaces, while a deeper piece suits a large open room. Push the console right up against the sofa back so nothing falls into the gap.
Lamps and power
A console behind the sofa is the perfect place for a pair of lamps, which gives warm light for reading without an overhead fixture. If the sofa floats in the middle of the room, plan for power: a floor outlet, a flat cord cover or a carefully taped cord under the rug. Choose lamps tall enough that the bottom of the shade sits around eye level when you are seated, which keeps glare out of your eyes.
Styling the top
Start with the lamps at each end, then add a stack of books, a bowl or tray and something green. Vary heights so the top does not look flat, but leave some empty wood showing. A curved console table has shape enough to stand alone, so keep its styling simple. Baskets on a lower shelf hold blankets and toys, and our consoles and vanities include pieces with and without shelves.
Care and wear
A console behind the sofa collects drinks, keys and chargers, so use coasters and a tray. Dust weekly with a dry cloth and wipe spills right away. Check that the console is steady and level, especially on a rug, and use small shims under the feet if needed. Once or twice a year, clean the top and add a light coat of oil or wax so the wood stays rich and protected.
Other places for a console
A console table is one of the most flexible pieces you can own. Besides the back of a sofa, it works in an entry for keys and mail, under a wall-mounted TV for media boxes, in a dining room as a slim serving table, or at the foot of a bed. If you ever move or rearrange, it will find a new job. That is a good reason to choose a design you love the look of from every side, and a sturdy solid wood construction that handles being moved and reused for years.
Frequently asked questions
How tall should a sofa console be?
Level with the sofa back or an inch or two lower.
How long should it be?
About 2 to 3 feet shorter than the sofa.
How much walkway behind it?
At least 30 inches.
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