We Tested (and Rated!) All the Media Consoles at West Elm — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space

I think a media console is one of the most underrated pieces of furniture, even if you don’t own a TV. The truth is, you can use it for virtually any storage purpose, whether you need a spot for your nice dishware or your entryway could use some reorganizing. That’s why I was excited to look at all of the media consoles on display when I recently visited West Elm’s store in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, for Apartment Therapy’s Personal Shopper series.

If it’s your first time here, this is how it goes: I visit the brick-and-mortar stores of the most popular furniture retailers, including Pottery Barn, Ashley, and CB2, and test the items on display in their showrooms. Then, I write shopping guides to help determine which accent chair, dresser, or sofa is best for every kind of lifestyle.

West Elm is one of the brands that started the series, and unsurprisingly, it remains a fan favorite. As far as its media consoles, I looked at close to 20 of them, but narrowed down my final list to 11 diverse models that I think would suit a variety of interior decor schemes and home sizes. Stay tuned to see them all — you’re bound to find one you love.

West Elm is an editor- and reader-favorite destination for all things home, including media consoles. Its impressive selection not only looks stylish, but its products are made of premium materials that’ll hold up to daily use. West Elm also offers free furniture customization and design guidance, as well as complimentary swatches to help you find your ideal materials and colors. 

Additionally, when you order large furniture, you can opt into the retailer’s white glove delivery service, which includes unpacking, assembly, and cleaning of packaging debris. You also have the option of a three-year warranty plan and easy returns on select eligible items.

• Best Boho Style: Otto Media Console
• Best Mixed Materials: Douglas Tatami Media Console
• Best Statement Maker: Louis Media Console
• Best for Small Spaces: Slatted Media Console
• Most Versatile: Cutler Oak Media Console
• Most Customizable: Carved Pattern Media Console
• Best Coastal Style: Solstice Painted Raffia Media Console
• Best for Large Homes: Maude Media Console
• Best Mid-Century: Mid-Century Media Console
• Best Minimalist: Norre Media Console
• Most Stylish: Ellington Media Console

I judged every West Elm media console in-store based on the following five criteria, giving each category an average rating between 1 and 5. These scores helped me determine whom the console suits best.

• Appearance: What style does it best suit? Does it lean more traditional (i.e., detailing, dark wood) or more contemporary (i.e., sleek, light wood)?
• Storage Capacity: How much storage space does the console offer? Can it store a variety of different items? Does it have a mixed variety of storage options (e.g. drawers, shelves, cabinets)?
• Space Requirements: How much space does the console take up? Does it require a lot of horizontal floor space, or is it relatively compact? How tall is it?
• Versatility: Can the console be used for a variety of purposes? Can it double as a bookshelf or dining room buffet? How well does it conceal cords and clutter?
• Durability: Does the console stain or scuff easily? Is it made from fragile materials? Would it age well with regular use?

What impressed me: The thumb-shaped cabinet pulls and rounded legs.

I’ll be honest, I prefer to look at upholstered furniture during my store visits because there tends to be more variety among a group of accent chairs, for example, than among a bunch of coffee tables. But West Elm’s media consoles stunned me with how different they were from one another. The Otto console is the most boho-looking one with its warm-toned acorn wood and casual rounded legs. Although it’s inspired by ’70s design, I didn’t get a distinctly retro vibe from it.

Storage-wise, the Otto has one wide cabinet in the middle and two narrow cabinets on the sides, each one bisected by a shelf. Although the shelves are not that tall, you’ll have no problem storing horizontal items like soundbars, books, and gaming consoles. The thumb-shaped door pulls were yet another cool touch that helped the console embody a laid-back aesthetic.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 80 inches long, 17 inches wide, 25 inches high
• Kiln-dried solid mango wood
• Available in 2 sizes
• Available in 3 finishes

What impressed me: The Japanese tatami door panels and warm-toned wood.

Its rectangular silhouette might be simple, but the Douglas console still manages to make a statement with its off-white tatami cabinet doors. If you’re not familiar, tatami is a material made of woven grass or straw and is commonly used for flooring in Japan. The material felt thin but sturdy when I pressed my hand against it, and I found that it looked extra crisp against the walnut frame. West Elm’s website describes this wood finish as “cool walnut,” but I found it to be rich and warm in person; it actually looked like cherry wood to me. 

I opened the cabinets via pulls discreetly located at the tops of the doors; I had to bend to do this, as the console sits pretty low to the ground. Inside, you’re met with four shelves total. They’re not tall, but they are wide and deep, and the top shelves feature generously sized cord escapes in the back. My final verdict? If you want your furniture to look as beautiful as the art on your walls, you can’t go wrong with this pick.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 80 inches long, 18 inches wide, 22 inches high
• Solid acacia wood, acacia veneer, and tatami
• Available in 1 size
• Available in 3 finishes

What impressed me: The concrete top and ridged exterior.

The Louis console was positioned next to a living room display on the store floor, and before I registered its design, I initially assumed it was some sort of decorative partition. Upon closer inspection, though, I was happy to find that I could pull on the top of its wooden panels to open its cabinet doors, which conceal six impressive shelves. The two in the middle are especially large and would make a great storage spot for large serveware. In fact, aside from its cord escapes, the Louis looks more like a dining room buffet than a media console. It’s also a tad too tall for a TV to sit atop, if you ask me. But it would make an exceptional bar, especially because you could display all of your favorite bottles on its concrete top.

At first, I thought the top was made of travertine, as it has that cratered texture associated with the material. In any case, the concrete looks expensive and adds a luxe element to the console’s overall appearance. Finally, I love that the Louis measures just 65 inches across. This makes it a solid contender for small living spaces or dining rooms.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 64.7 inches long, 18 inches wide, 30 inches high
• Concrete, solid poplar wood, and walnut veneer
• Available in 1 size
• Available in 1 finish

What impressed me: The low profile and contrasting black legs.

If you’re after something low-key, something that has just enough pizzazz to catch your eye without doing too much, consider this console. I viewed it in the walnut finish, and I liked how the brown frame popped against the tall black metal legs. The Slatted console is also a solid option for small apartments because it sits low to the ground and extends back only 18 inches. And, at 67 inches across, the console is the same length as your average love seat. 

Fluted doors slide to reveal wide, deep shelves. I noticed some scratches on this model, so you’ll want to take care not to place or use anything abrasive against the wood. Unlike a lot of the other media consoles I viewed, this one actually looks like it was solely meant to function as a media console, so ironically, it stood out to me in that way.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 67 inches long, 18 inches wide, 22 inches high
• Solid mahogany wood, walnut veneer over engineered wood, and metal
• Available in 1 size
• Available in 2 finishes

What impressed me: The tall height and spaciousness.

The entire Cutler furniture collection was impossible to ignore because of the pieces’ imposing sizes. Even this media console has a hefty footprint, and again, I found myself thinking it would make an exceptional dining buffet. I tugged on the vertical cabinet pulls and was delighted to find four sizable shelves inside — they looked bigger than those of any other console I viewed. As a lover of subdued furniture design, I enjoyed the Cutler’s clean lines and unadorned oak frame, which is slightly textured. If you wanted, you could even use this do-it-all storage solution as a bookcase or a supplement to your bedroom closet. There’s no room that wouldn’t benefit from this large but practical cabinet.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 72 inches long, 22 inches wide, 30 inches high
• Solid mahogany wood and white oak veneer over engineered wood top
• Available in 1 size
• Available in 1 finish

What impressed me: The striking cabinet door pattern and recessed platform base.

The Carved Pattern console might’ve been inspired by a vintage silhouette, but it looks just as modern as any other West Elm living room furnishing to me, even if I did see it in the rustic “Burnt Wax” finish. I viewed the 60-inch version, which features two cabinets, each with an adjustable shelf. Obviously, the focal points of this cool console are its carved wooden doors, which boast a wavy pattern and can be opened by pulling on them from the top. As I did this, I noticed that the mango wood is soft and velvety to the touch and thus might sustain scratches over time, so that’s something to note. Aside from the dazzling doors, I also admire the console’s platform base, which sits slightly behind the body to help achieve a more modern look.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 60 inches long, 18 inches wide, 26 inches high
• Kiln-dried solid mango wood
• Available in 2 sizes
• Available in 3 finishes

What impressed me: The crisp white finish and textured raffia exterior.

The Solstice console reminded me of something you’d find in an upscale beachside hotel. I didn’t realize its exterior is actually covered in raffia, perhaps because of its water-based whitewash finish. It felt slightly hollow and a little like plaster when I touched it, so I initially thought the console’s frame was made of a synthetic material. In any case, I couldn’t ignore the console’s Amalfi Coast-inspired shape. Characterized by rounded corners and a platform base, it adds an airy vibe to the otherwise weighty-looking silhouette. 

Once I pushed the cabinet doors open, I saw four deep shelves that could be used to store anything from home tech devices to closet accessories. In fact, if I had a large closet and a bunch of space to spare in my bedroom, I’d grab the Solstice in lieu of a dresser to declutter and create a zen ambience.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 68 inches long, 18 inches wide, 22 inches high
• Raffia over engineered wood
• Available in 2 sizes
• Available in 1 finish

What impressed me: The grid-patterned doors and wide silhouette.

The Maude console certainly made an instant visual impact, even if it was situated behind a sofa. Measuring 80.5 inches across, the Maude is best suited to large living rooms. Its tall, slim legs make the console look extra long and airy, so although it offers plenty of storage in the form of two wide cabinets with one adjustable shelf each, it doesn’t look bulky. The small, vertical pulls on the cabinet doors are not the most ergonomic, but this was one small downside I noticed on an otherwise practical and elegant design.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 80.5 inches long, 18 inches wide, 24 inches high
• Solid mahogany wood, oak veneer over engineered wood, and metal
• Available in 1 size
• Available in 1 finish

What impressed me: The out-turned legs and mix of cabinets and drawers.

If West Elm has one collection that’s emblematic of the entire brand, it’s the Mid-Century collection. I instantly recognized this media console as being part of it, thanks to its pared-back design, slim cabinet and drawer pulls, and out-turned legs. Of all the consoles on the floor, this one had the most varied storage. 

On one side, you get three short but wide drawers that would be perfect for holding TV remotes, magazines, and other items you like to be able to quickly declutter from your coffee table. On the other side, the console boasts cabinet space behind its sliding doors. 

The cabinet has an adjustable shelf, so you can change the height of each tier based on what you’re looking to store inside. Outside, the console had a bleached white finish that felt very textured when I ran my hand over it. Although this finish is nice for people who own other light-colored furniture, the collection’s classic Acorn finish is still my personal favorite. If you prefer warm tones, you’ll love it, too.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 80 inches long, 19 inches wide, 27 inches high
• Kiln-dried solid eucalyptus wood, engineered wood with a wood veneer, and metal
• Available in 1 size
• Available in 2 finishes

What impressed me: The no-frills design and recessed frame.

Whether you’re looking to achieve a tranquil home aesthetic or you’re merely after a quiet backdrop against which your decorative objects will pop, the Norre is your console. Inspired by Danish design, it has one of the most minimalist exteriors I’ve ever seen on a piece of furniture, so even if the inside eventually becomes a jumble of books and vinyl records, no one will ever suspect a mess. Although I liked the Blonde finish I viewed, I think the Norre looks even more striking in black. Regardless of its finish, the console steals the show with its recessed frame, and it doesn’t take up a ton of horizontal space compared with all of the 80-inch-long cabinets I saw. Instead, this pick is relatively tall, which will come in handy for storing a wide variety of things upright.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 68 inches long, 17.7 inches wide, 26.8 inches high
• European oak veneer over engineered wood
• Available in 2 sizes
• Available in 2 finishes

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What impressed me: The fluted doors and rounded corners.

Ever since I wrote about West Elm’s Ellington dining table, this particular collection has been a favorite of mine. I don’t care if the fluted detailing is a popular trend right now — it looks so good, I want it in my apartment ASAP. This stands for the media console, too, which sits fairly low but makes up for its lack of height with its 80-inch length. (The console is also available in a 60-inch length.) Not only did I enjoy looking at the Ellington, but opening its outer cabinet doors was also fun because each one has a wide, rounded corner that latches with a “click.” There are two cabinets total, each one with an adjustable shelf. Tall cylindrical legs round out the console, completing the fashion-forward yet effortless design.

How I Rated It:

Specifications:

• 80 inches long, 18 inches wide, 24 inches high
• Solid wood and wood veneer over engineered wood frame
• Available in 2 sizes
• Available in 2 finishes