How to assemble a console table
A console table is narrow and often tall, so it sits behind a sofa or against a hallway wall. That slim depth makes it easy to knock over. The build is quick; the care goes into a square frame, level feet and a wall fixing if the table is tall or has a heavy shelf.
- Time
- about 45 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- People
- 1 person
- Steps
- 6
Tools needed
- Allen key (supplied)
- Cross-head screwdriver
- Spirit level
- Wall fixings to suit your wall
Parts to check first
Before you start, lay everything out on a soft surface (the flattened box works) and check it against the parts list in your manual.
- Tabletop
- Legs or end frames
- Front and back aprons
- Lower shelf
- Bolts, dowels, cam locks and anti-tip strap
Step by step
Step 1: Lay the tabletop face down on the carton so the visible surface cannot be scratched while you work on it.
Step 2: Join the front and back aprons to the two end frames, pushing dowels home before starting any bolt.
Step 3: Slide the lower shelf into its brackets or grooves between the end frames before the frame is fully tightened.
Step 4: Fit the frame to the underside of the top with the supplied screws, checking the screws are short enough not to come through.
Step 5: Turn the table upright, check the top with a spirit level, and adjust any levelling feet on uneven floors.
Step 6: Tighten every bolt now the weight is on the legs, then fix the anti-tip strap to the wall behind the table.
Common mistakes
- Using a long screw in the top and splitting through the finished surface.
- Fitting the lower shelf last and having to loosen the whole frame to get it in.
- Leaving a tall, slim console unfixed in a hallway where people brush past it.
Safety notes
- Narrow tables tip forwards easily; fix tall ones to the wall, especially if children could climb on the shelf.
- Keep lamps and heavy decor near the back edge and within the weight limit given in the manual.
This is general guidance for this type of product. Your product's own manual comes first: follow its order, fittings and torque values where they differ from this page.
Updated 2026-09-30