Console Table Safety Tips: Securing Furniture in Family Homes

Furniture tip-overs cause thousands of injuries in Australian homes each year, with young children being the most vulnerable. Console tables, with their narrow profile and often top-heavy decoration, can pose particular risks if not properly secured. This guide provides essential safety information for families with children, elderly members, or curious pets.

Understanding Tip-Over Risks

Console tables present specific stability challenges that homeowners should understand:

Narrow Depth

Console tables are designed to be slim—typically only 25-40cm deep. This narrow footprint means a smaller base of support, making them inherently less stable than deeper furniture pieces. Even a moderate force can cause tipping.

Height-to-Depth Ratio

Standard console tables are 76-91cm tall. Combined with their narrow depth, this creates an unfavourable height-to-depth ratio. A table that's 85cm tall and only 30cm deep has a high centre of gravity relative to its base.

Top-Heavy Styling

Console tables are often topped with heavy decorative items—ceramic vases, table lamps, picture frames, and ornaments. This weight raised the centre of gravity further, increasing tip-over risk.

Drawer Extension

Opening drawers on a console table shifts weight forward. If drawers are heavily loaded or extended fully, this forward weight shift can cause the table to tip, especially if a child hangs on the drawer front.

Choosing a Stable Console Table

When selecting a console table for a family home, prioritise stability:

Look for Low Centre of Gravity

• Consoles with lower shelves add weight and stability at the base
• Solid bases are more stable than slim leg designs
• Heavy materials at the base (stone, solid timber) improve stability

Consider Proportions

• Shorter consoles are inherently more stable
• Wider consoles have better lateral stability
• Deeper consoles (35cm+) are more resistant to forward tipping

Assess Leg Design

• Four legs at the corners provide maximum stability
• Splayed legs (angled outward) create a wider base
• Trestle or A-frame bases are typically very stable
• Avoid designs with legs that angle inward at the base

Avoid Certain Designs

For homes with young children, be cautious of:

• Glass tops that could shatter
• Sharp corners at child head height
• Narrow pedestal bases
• Lightweight materials that tip easily
• Designs with accessible drawers that children might climb

Anchoring Your Console Table

Regardless of design, anchoring your console table to the wall is the most effective safety measure.

Anti-Tip Straps and Brackets

Anti-tip anchoring kits are widely available and relatively easy to install:

1. Wall bracket: Screwed into a wall stud for maximum strength
2. Furniture bracket: Attached to the back of the console
3. Connecting strap or cable: Links the two brackets

Installation typically requires a drill, screwdriver, and stud finder. If you're not comfortable with DIY, a handyperson can install anchors quickly and affordably.

L-Brackets for Heavy Consoles

For particularly heavy console tables, consider L-brackets that attach to both the top of the furniture back and the wall. These provide more rigid anchoring than flexible straps.

When Straps Aren't Possible

In rental properties or situations where wall mounting isn't feasible:

• Position the console in a corner for lateral stability
• Weight the base with heavy items on lower shelves
• Use furniture grip pads to prevent sliding
• Consider relocating the console to a low-traffic area

Childproofing Your Console Table

Corner Protectors

Install corner protectors on all sharp edges at child head height. Clear silicone protectors are less visible than foam alternatives. Ensure they're firmly adhered—loose protectors pose choking hazards.

Secure or Remove Hazards

• Relocate heavy decorative items until children are older
• Replace breakable items with unbreakable alternatives
• Secure lamps with museum putty or cord management
• Keep power cords out of reach and secured

Drawer Safety

• Install drawer latches to prevent children from opening them
• Avoid storing anything tempting to children in accessible drawers
• Consider consoles without drawers during early childhood years

Pet Safety Considerations

Pets present different but related challenges:

Cats

Cats may jump onto console tables, potentially displacing items. Ensure the console can bear sudden impact loads and that nothing on the surface could harm a curious cat. Avoid toxic plants and secure anything that could fall and injure a pet.

Dogs

Large dogs with wagging tails can knock items off consoles or bump into the furniture itself. Consider the height of your dog's tail relative to items on your console. Excitable dogs may need training to avoid the console area.

Small Pets

Rabbits and guinea pigs may chew on furniture legs or cords. If small pets roam freely, check for accessible cords and consider protective covers for legs and cables.

Safety for Elderly Family Members

Console tables can pose trip hazards or become support points for unsteady family members:

• Ensure adequate lighting around the console area
• Maintain clear pathways—at least 90cm clearance
• Avoid rugs that could cause slipping or tripping
• Don't rely on console tables for support—they're not designed for this
• Secure the console firmly so it won't move if bumped

Regular Safety Checks

Make furniture safety checks part of your regular home maintenance:

• Monthly: Check that anti-tip straps are still secure
• Quarterly: Test stability of the console (gentle push test)
• After moves: Re-anchor any furniture that's been repositioned
• As children grow: Reassess what's accessible and adjust accordingly

Creating a Safety-First Mindset

Beyond physical safety measures, cultivate awareness in your household:

• Teach children never to climb or hang on furniture
• Model safe behaviour—don't lean heavily on console tables yourself
• Supervise young children in rooms with unanchored furniture
• Address unsafe behaviour immediately and consistently

A beautiful console table should enhance your home without posing risks to your family. With proper selection, anchoring, and ongoing attention, you can enjoy the style and functionality of a console table while keeping everyone in your household safe.