Question 1

What is a commode?

Accepted Answer

Commode is the French term for a low chest of drawers, but it is also sometimes used to denote any case piece with a particularly intricate design. The commode dates to circa 1700 France, where it was used as an alternative to a taller cabinet piece so as to not obscure paneled, mirrored or tapestried walls. The term was also used to refer to a piece of bedroom furniture — a washstand or nightstand that contained a chamber pot.

Coffers, or chests, which were large wooden boxes with hinged lids and sometimes stood on ball feet, preceded chests of drawers, a fashionable cabinet furnishing that garnered acclaim for its obvious storage potential and versatility.

French commodes in the Louis XV style were sometimes crafted in mahogany or walnut, while an Italian marble top added a sophisticated decorative flourish. This specific type of case piece grew in popularity in the years that followed.

Find antique and vintage commodes on 1stDibs.

Question 2

What is a bombe commode?

Accepted Answer

A bombe commode is a type of two- or three-drawer chest once used to hold personal items like clothing, documents and jewelry. Its name comes from the French word "bombe" and references the curvy shape of both the chest's body and legs. You'll find a variety of bombe commodes on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What is a console desk?

Accepted Answer

A console desk is a high, narrow table called a console table that can double as a desk. It is often used by people who work from home in a communal space, such as a hallway or a living room, as a workspace. Some console tables feature built-in storage, like drawers or shelves. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of console tables.

Question 4

What is a television console?

Accepted Answer

A television console in our current era likely refers to an entertainment center — what is often a wooden cabinet that houses your television and other media-related technology. The contemporary entertainment center owes to the television consoles of yore — initially, a television console was a type of CRT television (cathode ray tube) that increasingly became obsolete beginning in the 1980s. Shop a range of modern and vintage television consoles on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What is a console sink?

Accepted Answer

A console sink is a cross between a wall-mounted sink and a pedestal sink. Both the sink and the countertop are mounted to the wall and supported by two or four legs.

Question 6

What is a media console for?

Accepted Answer

A media console is used for holding the components of a home entertainment system. Some have spaces for a television or have low-profile designs that make them ideal for placing below a wall-mounted TV. Most feature shelving for cable and satellite boxes, DVD and Blu-Ray players and gaming consoles. You can also find pieces with storage space for DVDs, Blu-Rays, games and other items. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of media consoles.

Question 7

What is a console table used for?

Accepted Answer

Console tables serve a variety of functions. They can be used as buffets, storage units and display tables. Because they vary in size, you can use them for just about anything.

Question 8

Why are console tables so low?

Accepted Answer

Console tables are not low. Typically, consoles are about the height of a desk but are much narrower. As a result, they work well against walls and can be used to hold lamps and decorative objects. While modern console tables commonly feature four legs, you can still find the two-legged variety, which is ideal for nestling behind the sofa. Some also feature shelves for display and storage space or cabinet doors and drawers for hiding clutter. Find vintage console tables on 1stDibs.

Question 9

What is the difference between a credenza and a console?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a credenza and a console is design. A credenza is an elongated low cabinet usually containing shelves concealed by cabinet doors. Some also have open shelving and drawers. On the other hand, a console is a tall, long and narrow table. Consoles may provide storage space in the form of open shelves or drawers, but some are simple tables with no storage features beyond their tops. Shop a selection of console tables and credenzas on 1stDibs.

Question 10

Why is it called a console table?

Accepted Answer

Why it is called a console table comes down to the history of this type of furnishing. The very first consoles produced in France during the 16th and 17th centuries were not freestanding. Instead, owners anchored them to walls. This anchoring method strengthened the console top, allowing it to support heavy loads. The name “console” comes from the French word "consolide," which means to reinforce or strengthen. It was likely chosen because of the anchoring system that lends strength to and reinforces consoles. Shop a diverse assortment of console tables on 1stDibs.

Question 11

What is the difference between a console and a credenza?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a console and a credenza is that one is a table, while the other is a cabinet. Console tables are narrow, tall tables often placed in entryways, hallways and living rooms against a wall or behind a sofa. They may feature drawers or open shelving for storing items. On the other hand, a credenza is a long, low cabinet used to store supplies in offices, entertainment center components in living rooms and other items elsewhere in a home. Most credenzas feature cabinets concealed behind doors. Find a wide range of consoles and credenzas on 1stDibs.

Question 12

What is a console in a living room?

Accepted Answer

In a living room, a console is a type of table. Typically, consoles are about the height of a desk but are much narrower. As a result, they work well against walls and can be used to hold lamps and decorative objects. Some also feature shelves for display and storage space or cabinet doors and drawers for hiding clutter. Shop a selection of console tables on 1stDibs.

Question 13

Can you use a console table as a desk?

Accepted Answer

Because of their variety of sizes and range in function, console tables can easily work as a desk. Given their size and ease of mobility, a console table can be used in almost any sort of room.

Question 14

How tall should a lamp be on a console table?

Accepted Answer

A lamp for a console table should be between 25 and 32 inches tall. The table lamp’s shade shouldn’t exceed half the width of the console table.

You’ll find that when it comes to arranging wall art, a decorator might suggest that the space on the wall above a console table is a great place for a large painting or a wall sculpture. In that case, you may wish to use a taller lamp for the table. If your table is smaller in scale or if you have a small mirror hanging on the wall above the console, you may wish to opt for a shorter lamp.

Find vintage table lamps for sale on 1stDibs.

Question 15

What is the difference between a sideboard and a console table?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a sideboard and a console table comes down to usage and storage features. Sideboards are usually found in dining rooms and have shelving concealed behind cabinet doors for storing dinnerware, glassware and serveware. Normally positioned in entryways, hallways and living rooms, console tables may have no storage features or include drawers, open shelves or cabinet doors, depending on their design. Find a large selection of console tables and sideboards on 1stDibs.

Question 16

What is the difference between a console and a sofa table?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between a console and a sofa table is that a console can be placed anywhere in the home (against a wall in a hallway or under a television in the living room) and a sofa table is limited to being behind a sofa.

Question 17

Should a console table be taller than a couch?

Accepted Answer

A console table should not be taller than a couch. Much like a sofa table, a console table is placed against the back of a sofa and should be the same height as the sofa.

Question 18

How wide should a console table be in an entryway?

Accepted Answer

In an entryway, a console table should typically be around 10 to 16 inches wide. Tables of this width should still allow plenty of clearance so people can easily walk by the table. You may see manufacturers refer to the width of consoles as depth. On 1stDibs, shop a range of console tables.

Question 19

What is the difference between a buffet table and a console table?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a buffet table and a console table comes down to size and storage features. Console tables are usually less deep than buffet tables, so they take up less space behind sofas and along walls. In addition, consoles are less likely to have cabinets and drawers than buffet tables, which are designed to store dinnerware and serveware in dining rooms. On 1stDibs, explore a wide variety of buffets and console tables.

Question 20

What is the difference between a coffee table and a console table?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a coffee table and a console table is in the design. A coffee table is a low table that comes in many shapes, such as surfaces that are rectangles, squares, ovals or circles. Console tables are taller and usually have elongated shapes, such as ovals, rectangles or semicircles. Placement is another differentiator between the two types of tables. Coffee tables usually go in front of sofas and loveseats, while console tables may be placed behind a sofa or loveseat or along a wall. Find a large collection of coffee tables and console tables on 1stDibs.

Consoles And Commodes

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1970s Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1960s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

20th Century Italian Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

21st Century and Contemporary American American Craftsman Commodes and C...

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

20th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Antique 19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Vintage 1950s Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Mid-20th Century French Industrial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1950s American Cabinets

20th Century French Sideboards

20th Century French Sideboards

Antique 1830s Italian Neoclassical Vases

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Side Chairs

Antique 19th Century French Armchairs

Vintage 1940s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Antique 19th Century Chinese Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1940s Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Mid-20th Century American Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Consoles And Commodes For Sale on 1stDibs

How Much are Consoles And Commodes?

Finding the Right Commodes-chests-of-drawers for You

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