A narrow console table can give you somewhere for keys, a lamp or a favourite photograph without taking up the depth of a larger piece of furniture. The important part is choosing a table that fits how you use your hallway, rather than judging it from a photograph alone.
At Riverside Timber Craft, we make console and hallway tables to order in Corr na Móna, County Galway. This guide compares our two slim designs and explains what to measure before choosing one.
Start with depth: how far will the table project?
Table depth is the measurement from front to back. Our rustic hairpin-leg console table is approximately 22cm deep. Our square-leg console table is approximately 22.5cm deep.
Mark the proposed position on the floor with masking tape. Walk past it, open nearby doors and consider the space you use when carrying shopping or moving a buggy. Include skirting boards and any gap between the table and wall when checking how far it will project.
For example, a 100cm-wide hallway with a 22cm-deep table would leave 78cm before allowing for any wall gap or other obstructions. That calculation helps you visualise the space; whether it is suitable depends on your household and the layout.
Measure length and height separately
Measure the usable wall length between doors, corners and other furniture. Check nearby sockets, switches and door handles so the table does not obstruct them. Think about what will sit on top: the footprint of a lamp or tray needs to fit the narrow surface too.
Both table styles offer 71cm and 86cm leg-height options. Read the selected product option carefully: leg height and finished tabletop height are different measurements. The hairpin table has an approximately 4.5cm-thick timber top; the square-leg table has an approximately 4cm-thick top. If the finished height is critical, ask us to confirm it before ordering.
Hairpin legs or square legs?
- Rustic hairpin-leg table: a solid timber top with steel hairpin legs, suited to a rustic or industrial look. The approximately 22cm depth keeps the surface slim.
- Square-leg table: a solid Douglas Fir top with straight square legs for a cleaner, contemporary appearance. The approximately 22.5cm depth suits smaller spaces.
Compare the photographs and available size options in our narrow console table collection. Real timber varies in grain, knots and colour, so each handmade piece has its own character.
Check the installation and wall support
Our rustic hairpin-leg table is designed to be secured to the wall for stability. It includes a pair of hairpin legs, a wall mounting bracket and screws. The appropriate fixing method depends on your wall construction; check this before ordering rather than treating it as a freestanding table.
For either design, read the product details and contact us if you need clarification about positioning or installation.
Can a console table sit over a radiator?
Check the radiator height and depth, the position of valves and the clearance requirements supplied by its manufacturer. Leave access to controls and avoid assuming that a particular leg height will fit your radiator. Send us your measurements and a photograph if you need help assessing the available space.
Need a made-to-measure hallway table?
If a listed size does not suit your hallway or alcove, contact us with your required length, depth and finished height. We will confirm what we can make and the details before you order.
You can also browse examples of our handmade timber pieces and read our customer reviews. When you are ready to compare the options, explore our console and hallway tables handmade in Ireland.