Without accent furniture, a room can seem a little sparse and unresolved. It’s the accent pieces in a room that create interest, depth, and personality in any design. Therefore, here are some tips on must-have pieces when finishing a living room with accent furniture. But first, what is accent furniture? These are the smaller pieces that support the larger furniture in the room. For instance, a rug that pulls the furniture together, a side table placed at the arm of a sofa, or a floor lamp that creates warmth and light in a space.
Side Tables
Side tables are a must-have for any living room. Unlike larger coffee tables, side tables are extremely flexible in terms of placement, enabling you to reposition them depending on how you are using the space at any given time. Additionally, many side tables can double as stools, creating extra seating for when you have more guests than usual. If you don’t have room for a large coffee table, why not cluster two or three small side tables together in front of your sofa or chairs? This will give you the same effect and functionality as a coffee table, but also offers the flexibility to move the tables when needed.
Rugs
Rugs bring many facets to a space. They can pull furniture placement together, define a space, and add color, pattern, and texture to an otherwise bland room. They can also cover up existing flooring that has seen better days. When choosing a rug, consider its shape, size, material, and style. You can’t go wrong with a rectangular rug, as most spaces support this shape. However, don’t discount square or round rugs if the room can accommodate them. When defining a seating area, it’s ideal to have at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs on the rug, as this will make the rug feel generous and ground the room. If you dislike your flooring, go for an oversized rug that extends up to a foot from the wall.
If you already have a lot of pattern and color in your room, choose a rug that’s more textural with a neutral color. If your room is fairly neutral, go bold with color and pattern.
Flat weaves and intricate designs are ideal for high-traffic areas and homes with pets, as they hide dirt. On the other hand, shag, cut pile, and loop piles are better suited for low-traffic areas and feel especially comfy underfoot.
Occasional Chairs
Occasional chairs are a large accent piece and can be used to create a focal point or make a statement in the room. Again, this piece should be light enough to offer flexibility and easy repositioning when needed (for instance, during social gatherings). If your room is spacious enough for two occasional chairs, this is ideal. Placing two chairs into your seating configuration helps balance your layout. You can position them opposite your sofa or place both on one side of the sofa to encourage conversation. If you only have room for one chair, that’s fine too. Make it a statement piece by choosing a patterned fabric with a defined style, such as a contemporary wing chair accented with a bright scatter cushion.
Floor and Table Lamps
For a harmonious lighting scheme, you need a mixture of light sources. Accent lighting, such as floor and table lamps, is fantastic for brightening up a darker corner in a room, or by strategically placing a couple around the space, you can create enough light to illuminate the entire room.
Placing a pair of matching table lamps at either end of a console creates a classic, structured feel. Splitting the lamps by placing one on a side table and the other on a console will give the room a more relaxed, less structured look. Add a separate floor lamp in a different style, and you’ll achieve an even distribution of light while introducing more interest to your design.
Ottomans
Personally, I love using ottomans in a living room, often replacing a coffee table with a round ottoman covered in beautiful fabric. This is a simple and easy way to continue your color and pattern theme into other pieces in the room. To enable items to be placed on the cushioned top, add one or two wooden trays to create a more even surface. You can then place decorative pieces on the trays. Smaller ottomans can also serve as seating or be placed in front of your occasional chair as a footstool. For maximum storage potential, choose one that opens up to reveal storage inside.
When combining all of the above pieces into your design, try mixing and matching a couple of different styles and materials. Using pieces that are the same style and made from similar materials can feel uninteresting and lack impact. For example, mixing a distressed tan leather chair, a timber side table, a modern sectional sofa, and a chrome floor lamp — essentially combining earthy and urban elements — instantly creates a design that’s eye-catching and dynamic.
Now you’re ready to accent your living room! Be brave, push the boundaries, and try something new to see the difference it can make.
