A bright throw pillow. An eye-catching piece of wall art. A stately accent chair. What do all of these items have in common? They are examples of accent furniture and décor that can entirely transform the look and feel of a room. With the right accent pieces, you can take a boring, lifeless space and give it an instant style boost.
Accent furniture refers to pieces that supplement your existing furnishings. Unlike major furniture items like sofas, beds, and dining sets, accent furniture is used selectively throughout a room. The purpose is to enhance the overall design through color, texture, shape, and visual interest. Strategically placed accent furniture breathes new life into tired rooms and pulls together decor for a polished, professional look.
Introduction
Accent furniture can range from small decor items like throw pillows to larger furnishings like an accent chair or coffee table. Anything that adds a little punch of personality and style to a room can fall under the category of accent furniture. These special pieces work best when chosen intentionally to align with the existing layout and furnishings of a space.
The key benefit of accent furniture is transformation. With minimal investment, accent pieces allow you to reinvigorate your home’s stale décor and create an entirely new look and feel in a room. For example, something as simple as draping a colorful throw blanket over a sofa or placing a rustic wood side table next to the bed provides an instant visual upgrade. Accent furniture breathes new life into a room.
Understanding Accent Furniture
Before diving into a room transformation with accent furniture, it is helpful to understand what types of accent pieces are available. With hundreds of options, from side chairs to coat racks to ottomans, choosing the right accent pieces can be overwhelming. Keep reading for a guide to popular categories of accent furniture.
Types of Accent Furniture
Seating – Accent chairs and stools in various styles
Surfaces – Accent tables, side tables, ottomans, benches
Storage – Hutches, cabinets, bookcases
Lighting – Table lamps, floor lamps, pendant lighting
Décor – Pillows, throws, area rugs, wall art
Accent seating comes in an endless array of styles, from sleek modern chairs to overstuffed chaises. The variety allows you to add a seating option that aligns with your room’s aesthetic. Surfaces like side tables and ottomans are highly functional. They provide space for decor items and convenient storage.
Hutches, bookcases and cabinets add decorative storage while lighting casts a beautiful glow and shows off décor. Pillows, throws and wall art can brighten up neutral furnishings. Mix and match accent pieces to achieve your desired look and function.
How to Choose the Right Accent Furniture
With so many options, choosing accent furniture can feel overwhelming initially. Follow these tips to select pieces that work in harmony with your existing layout and furnishings:
Consider the room size – Scale down accent furniture for small rooms to avoid clutter.
Complement your style – Match the accent piece’s design style to your interior.
Observe furnishings – Take stock of what you already have before choosing accents.
Define the purpose – Decide if you need seating, storage, surfaces, lighting or pure decor.
Mind the finishing details – Ensure accent pieces coordinate in colors, materials and finishes.
Plan placement – Picture where accent items will go before purchasing.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can thoughtfully choose accent furniture that blends into your interior decor seamlessly. The accent pieces should feel like they belong in the space.
Planning Your Room Transformation
Before running out to purchase a slew of trendy accent furniture, take some time to plan. Careful planning ensures you choose pieces that work within your existing layout and furnishings. It also helps you allocate budget wisely for a coordinated, pulled-together look.
Assessing the Room’s Layout and Design
Take a fresh look at the room you wish to transform. Do you need more seating options, surface area or lighting? Make note of any functional gaps your accent furniture can fill. Also consider the room’s general emptiness. Large living rooms and open concept spaces may need several scaled-up accent furnishings to feel balanced.
Identify your room’s design style. Note details like colors, materials, patterns and textures. Your accent pieces should complement this existing aesthetic. Planning accent furniture around the room ensures it feels cohesive.
Setting a Budget
Accent furniture can range from modestly priced to expensive. Define your budget upfront and stick with pieces you can comfortably afford. Less expensive accent items include decor pillows, mirrors, small tables, pendant lighting and artwork. For more investment options like chairs or hutches, set a reasonable spending cap.
Shop sales and clearance sections both online and in retail stores. Consignment shops can also yield deals. For DIY projects, limit materials cost. With some creativity and boundary-setting, you can curate lovely accent furniture on a budget.
Choosing the Perfect Accent Furniture
After assessing your room and setting a budget, it is time to choose accent pieces. Keep scale, function and style at the forefront when furnishing a room. Follow these tips when selecting your accent furniture.
Matching the Existing Decor
Whatever accent furniture you select should coordinate with your current furnishings. If your interior design style is modern, choose sleek, contemporary accent pieces. For farmhouse decor, look for vintage or distressed wood accents. Match finishes, colors and materials so accent furnishings blend seamlessly.
If you lack an obvious interior design style, base your accent furniture choices off neutrals like woods, metals or solid colors that act as a blank slate. Avoid loud accent pieces that clash. The goal is a cohesive, harmonious look.
Considering Scale and Size
The size and scale of accent furnishings is key. A dainty end table can get lost in a large living room, while an oversized chaise overwhelms a small bedroom. Measure your space and think through how much surface area, seating or storage you need. Then scale accent furniture appropriately.
Extra large and small-scale accent pieces make excellent statement furnishing. For example, use a king-sized upholstered headboard as a dramatic focal point in a master bedroom. Just be sure over and undersized items are balanced out with more standard sized furnishings.
Accent Furniture for Living Rooms
The living room is a popular spot to experiment with accent furniture. From plush chairs great for curling up with a book to striking coffee tables that anchor a space, accent furnishings help create an inviting, polished living room.
Tips for Accent Chairs and Coffee Tables
Accent chairs – Choose chairs that add extra seating but also complement your sofa style. Leather chairs pair well with modern sofas while wingbacks suit traditional designs.
Coffee tables – Look for coffee tables with unique shapes, materials or colors to add interest. Opt for tables that are the right height for your sofa and do not overwhelm the living room.
Benches – For entryways or foot of bed, benches provide seating and surface area. Upholstered benches with built-in cushions boost comfort.
Ottomans – Square or tufted ottomans work as spare seating, foot rests and impromptu coffee tables. They come in many fabrics to match your interior.
Pillows and throws – Toss pillows or folded throws add color, texture and a cozy feel. Coordinate with your color scheme.
Arranging Furniture for a Balanced Look
When bringing new accent furniture into your living room, take time to rearrange pieces for optimal flow. Angle chairs toward the focal point of the room, which is often the sofa or television. Break up boxy furniture formations for a more organic layout. Play with spacing until you achieve a balanced, welcoming environment that encourages conversation and communal relaxation.
Accent Furniture for Bedrooms
Accent furniture comes in handy for sprucing up a boring bedroom. Side chairs provide alternative seating while accent chests and dressers inject new life through color and storage.
Selecting the Right Bedside Tables and Dressers
Bedside tables – Look for a set of matching side tables that coordinate with the bed frame. Hardwood pairs well with wood beds while mirrored and lacquer tables suit metal and leather.
Dressers – Opt for a dresser or chest that complements your existing bedroom set without matching exactly. Offset matching sets with a dresser sporting a painted, distressed or embellished finish.
Benches – Foot of bed benches make handy seating for dressing. Upholstered styles add softness to bedrooms.
Ottomans – Round or square ottomans at the foot of the bed provide extra seating and surface space. They can even function as makeshift side tables with trays.
Pillows and throws – Use accent pillows and throws to dress up the bed and tie into the room’s color scheme.
Creating a Cohesive Look with Accent Pieces
When selecting bedside tables, chests and other bedroom accent furniture, go for pieces with finishes and colors that coordinate. To continue a wood theme, stick with oak, walnut or distressed wood accents. For a soft, sophisticated look, introduce velvet or linen upholstered seating and pillows. The goal is to create a put-together, peaceful bedroom retreat.
Accent Furniture for Dining Rooms
Dining rooms often go overlooked when it comes to accent furnishings. But a hutch or buffet offers stylish storage for all your servingware while injecting visual appeal.
Choosing the Ideal Hutch or Buffet
When selecting a dining room hutch or buffet, consider the size and footprint of your existing table. If you have a petite round pedestal table, choose a narrow sideboard buffet to save space. For sprawling rectangular dining sets, match with an equally sizable hutch.
Play with different finishes and colors. A white washed buffet provides cottage contrast against a dark wood table. Or opt for matching wood finishes for a cohesive look. Also look for built-in lighting, which beautifully illuminates china displays.
Coordinating the Accent Piece with Existing Furniture
To pull off a cohesive dining room, ensure any accent furniture aligned with your set style. For contemporary glass top tables, seek out a sleek, low profile sideboard. Farmhouse plank tables work well with a rustic reclaimed wood hutch.
If your dining table came as a set with chairs, source an accent piece in the same color and finish. Otherwise, the mix and match approach works beautifully. Just ensure all the wood tones coordinate. Then have fun pairing your dining set with a memorable hutch or sideboard.
Maximizing Small Spaces with Accent Furniture
You need not resign yourself to a boring, sparse look simply because you have a small home. Thoughtfully chosen accent furniture allows you to maximize every inch of compact rooms. Seek out versatile, multipurpose accent pieces suited for modest square footage.
Utilizing Multifunctional Accent Pieces
Ottomans – Look for storage ottomans that offer discreet space for tucking away clutter. Top with trays to create impromptu side tables or extra seating.
Entryway benches – Settle on a bench with built-in storage for shoes, gloves and other outerwear items. Top with a throw for seating.
Nesting tables – Nesting tables stash away easily when not in use. Pull them out as extra surface area or seating when needed.
Multipurpose cabinets – Cabinets with adjustable shelving work in multiple room settings. Use as a nightstand in the bedroom or a media console in the living room.
Convertible coffee tables – Convertible coffee tables feature lifting tops for dining or working from the sofa. Look for wheels for easy moving.
Avoiding Clutter in Small Rooms
Add accent furniture slowly to small rooms, filling spaces as needed rather than overstuffing. Select multifunctional, minimalist designs without intricate detailing. Light, wire frame furniture takes up less visual space than bulky wood pieces.
Stick to a muted color palette which recedes rather than loud colors that overwhelm. Maintain plenty of open, walkable space between accent pieces. Minimal, airy accent furniture prevents a cluttered look.
Mixing and Matching Styles
Do not feel confined to a single cohesive style when selecting accent furniture. Mixing design styles adds flair and personality to a space, especially when done intentionally. The eclectic look also allows you to save on costs by pairing new accent pieces with furnishings you already own.
Incorporating Different Styles
Consider working these stylish combinations into your rooms:
- Farmhouse plank table + modern ghost chairs
- Vintage hutch + midcentury chair
- Tufted velvet chair + Scandinavian wood sideboard
- Antique dresser + contemporary bed frame
- Mirrored side table + velvet sofa + Persian rug
Have fun blending beloved pieces handed down over generations with modern finds. The mix feels personal and collected over time.
Creating a Harmonious Blend
Aim for an intentional, curated mix rather than completely random. Keep finishes cohesive tying rooms together. For example, maintain wood accents throughout a space. Echo colors subtly, such as pairing a sky blue chair with navy throw pillows. Repetition builds connection between disparate pieces.
Although you want some contrast, ensure accent pieces generally align with the room’s overall aesthetic. The industrial chic loft is no place for ornate, rococo furnishings. Seek balance to avoid a hodgepodge look.
Using Accent Furniture to Add Color and Texture
Beyond shape and size, accent furniture brings rooms to life through vibrant pops of color and varied textures. Inject visual excitement into neutral spaces with colorful and tactile accent pieces.
Selecting Vibrant Accent Pieces
Search for accent furniture available in bold hues like emerald green, sapphire blue or golden yellow. Painted finishes also present an opportunity to incorporate bright, saturated colors. Use accent pieces to establish a color palette then repeat those tones throughout a room’s pillows, throws and decor items.
Incorporating Texture with Accents
Vary textures when selecting accent furniture for additional visual interest. Consider these textured furnishings:
- Distressed wood with natural knots and dips
- Worn, tufted leather upholstery
- A fluffy sheepskin throw
Mixed media pieces combining metal, wood, leather and fabric feature varied textural components. Feel free to also play with shiny metals and glossy lacquered finishes which catch and reflect light beautifully.
DIY Accent Furniture Projects
Why spend a fortune on store bought accent furniture when you can unleash your inner creativity? Refurbishing and repurposing old furniture into chic new accent pieces allows you to save money while putting a personal spin on your decor.
Creative DIY Furniture Ideas
- Stencil or decoupage an old dresser
- Transform side tables or stools with bold paint colors
- Upholster a chair using bold fabric
- Convert a suitcase into an ottoman
- Use rope to make an industrial style coffee table
- Attach hairpin legs to a repurposed tabletop
Look for secondhand furniture at garage sales, thrift stores and antique shops. Part of the appeal of DIY projects lies in giving castoff pieces renewed life. Add charm through paint, fabric, wallpaper, drawer pulls or other embellishments.
Adding Personal Touches
The DIY approach enables you to create one-of-a-kind, meaningful accent furniture that reflects your personality and style. Display family photos or your children’s art on an old desk turned vanity. Upholster a chair with your favorite heirloom quilt. The possibilities are endless for custom, heartfelt pieces.
Caring for Accent Furniture
Investing in accent furniture helps transform lackluster rooms. Safeguard your investment and increase longevity through proper maintenance and care. Different materials require tailored approaches for cleaning and preservation.
Maintenance Tips Based on Material
- Dust wood pieces regularly and treat nicks with touch-up markers.
- Wipe leather with a mild soap and water solution applied gently with a soft cloth.
- Use distilled water to clean marble counter and tabletops.
- Fluff cushion fill and vacuum or spot treat upholstery regularly.
- Keep mirrored furniture away from direct sunlight to avoid damage.
- Wax unfinished wood every 1-2 months to nourish and protect the finish.
Preserving Your Investment
Beyond regular care, small preventative measures preserve accent furniture. Use coasters under lamps, candles and drinks. Add felt pads to the bottom of any scratched or damaged legs. Avoid placing accent furniture in direct sunlight which can cause fading. With some diligence, your accent pieces will maintain their visual appeal and value.
Where to Shop for Accent Furniture
Ready to start your room makeover? Numerous retailers both online and in-store offer a robust selection of accent furniture. From boutique shops to big box stores, you can find myriad styles to suit your taste and budget constraints.
Online and Offline Accent Furniture Retailers
Big box stores – Large retailers like IKEA, Target, Walmart and Cost Plus World Market offer affordable accent furniture often available for immediate in-store pickup.
Furniture stores – Dedicated furniture stores such Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel house a wide range of living, dining and bedroom accent pieces.
Home décor stores – Stores focused on home accessories like HomeGoods, At Home and Kirkland’s boast plenty of accent furniture options along with decorations.
Etsy – For handcrafted and truly one-of-a-kind finds, browse the selection on Etsy available right at your fingertips.
Thrift & consignment stores – Search secondhand stores and online auction sites for remarkable vintage and antique accent finds.
Garage & estate sales – Keep an eye out for garage and estate sales which often have high-quality accent furnishings at bargain prices.
Finding Deals on Accent Furniture
In addition to shopping sales and clearance sections, a few tips can help you score deals on accent furniture:
- Sign up for store emails and check social media for special promotions and coupon codes.
- Take advantage of seasonal sales like Memorial Day or July 4th when retailers deeply discount furniture.
- Shop off-peak times like January through April when stores need to clear out inventory from the holidays.
- Negotiate prices at yard sales and estate sales where pricing is often flexible, especially on last days.
- Consider floor models which many stores mark down significantly. Just inspect for any wear and tear.
With some persistence and clever timing, you can furnish an entire room with gorgeous accent pieces without breaking the bank.
Final Touches: Accessories and Decor
Accent furniture forms the foundation for your room transformation. But take the makeover even further with accessories and decor that enhance your new pieces.
Accessorizing Accent Furniture
Here are some accent furniture accessorizing ideas:
- Adorn mirrors and console tables with framed photos, art and vases
- Top coffee tables and side tables with tray decor and books
- Layer rugs over larger area rugs to delineate spaces
- Toss pillows and blankets over chairs and sofas
- Arrange fresh flowers or succulents in accent table vases
When it comes to accessorizing, odd numbers and asymmetry help spaces feel more natural and relaxed. Finish the room with meaningful personalized touches.
Choosing Decor Items
Beyond accessories, decor accents like wall art, throws, curtains and area rugs complete the transformed look. Choose pieces that tie into your color scheme. For cohesiveness, echo shapes and materials like wood frames or metallic finishes throughout accent decor. Paint is also a budget-friendly way to quickly recolor rooms.
Conclusion
Whether you favor modern sleek or shabby chic, accent furniture offers an easy pathway to breathe new life into tired rooms. With small additions like an eye-catching chair or rustic coffee table, you can change up the entire feel of your home. Accent pieces not only revitalize furnishings, but also provide opportunities for creativity and self-expression.
As you embark on your home makeover journey, take it step-by-step. Thoughtfully assess your space, set a budget and curate cohesive accent furniture aligned with your interior design vision. Keep scale and functionality in mind. Mix old with new and do not shy away from infusing personality into your rooms through DIY projects and cherished pieces.
Soon you will have a revamped living space reflecting your style. Accent furniture gifts that instant mood boost without undergoing a major remodel. With a few special accent additions, you can sit back and admire your newly transformed rooms.
