Console Cabinets: Moveable Storage Pieces

The pricey console cabinets usually have ornately designed doors and drawers, have smooth tops and are propped up on intricately carved legs. Drawers can vary from two to four, and in some cases, the shelves are covered with glass doors for displaying curios and precious collectibles.

The most popular attribute of console cabinets is that they are easily moved from one room to another. Console cabinets are detached from the wall and can easily be situated where needed or where a dull corner of a room needs a focal point.

Most popular console cabinet designs

Console cabinets are understandably treasured heirlooms because of the masterful architecture employed in making them. A very popular period piece in most English homes is the Henry II console cabinet. The wood used is mahogany, oak, walnut or pine. Its intricate carvings depict figures reminiscent of the Renaissance revival era. This particular console cabinet lends a handsome touch to any room and is easily regarded as a conversation piece. There are long shelves on the bottom and drawers on the top, which both provide ample storage space. Henry II console cabinets are further characterized by an exquisite hand-painted floral finish.

French console cabinets have beaded moldings and drawers. They are handcrafted, with a medium-tone faux burl finish. These models also employed hand-painted floral designs.

Another popular model is the leonine console cabinet. These console cabinets have carved sides, are rectangular in shape, and have several storage drawers and compartments. More than just being practical storage solutions, leonine console cabinets add exquisiteness to any room with their intricate hand-painted designs and flawless curves.

The Oriental/Chinese console cabinet model is usually of carved rosewood, glass tops, and embellished with convoluted Oriental designs.

Modern console cabinets

As time passed, traditional console cabinets gave way to contemporary functional designs to suit today's modern lifestyles. They are now mainly used for media storage to house CDs and DVDs or used as stands for television units. Books and magazines can also be stored in the console cabinet's adjustable compartments. The wood used is pine or oak, and the console cabinet handles may be of any material such as brass or chrome. The ease by which console cabinets can be moved to any part of the house makes them truly ideal storage pieces.