10 ACCENT FURNITURE IDEAS: WHY SMALL IS BETTER

March 13, 2015

Kouboo has a new line of small furniture. Each piece is a mini work of art. These are pieces made by artists and artisans who pour their hearts into their work. To celebrate this group of exquisite pieces, I want to take this blog post to talk aboutunique accent furniture pieces and why it has become such an important trend in decorating. 

Homes are smaller, which means thatflexible accent furniture for small spaces is more useful.People have also grown more and more sophisticated in their decorating, and they are asking more of their spaces than simply placing a sofa and a coffee table into a living room.Small accent furniture layered into a room creates a more personal, more intricate effect. Finally, our attention spans have grown notoriously short and this is showing up in our furniture choices: rather than choosing a couple of big pieces that will not move for a decade, we prefer the flexibility ofsmall accent furniture that could literally be arranged and rearranged on a daily basis, if so desired.

So, how do you work with small accent furniture in your own homes? Here are 10 examples that beautifully demonstrate this trend!

Small accent furniture ideas

1. Add a pop of color to your living room with painted accent furniture

I love the effect of changing up your living room by changing the throw pillows or even your curtains. One of the most dramatic ways to add drama is to add an accent chair or table in a bright color. Photo found on Pinterest.

I love the effect of changing up your living room by changing the throw pillows or even your curtains. One of the most dramatic ways to add drama is to add an accent chair or table in a bright color. Photo: Found on Pinterest

 

2. Place an accent chair in the bedroom

Placing an accent chair into a bedroom immediately makes the room feel more considered, more sophisticated. If you happen to love layering patterns, it’s works really well when carried into the furniture, as this image shows. Also, never underestimate the importance of a place to toss your clothing. Your floor will thank you. Photo found on Pinterest.

Accent chairs are the perfect accent furniture for the bedroom. Placing one intoa bedroom immediately makes the room feel more considered, more sophisticated. If you happen to love layering patterns, it works really well when carried into the furniture, as this image shows. Also, never underestimate the importance of a place to toss your clothing. Your floor will thank you. Photo: Found on Pinterest

 

3. Re-imagine accent furniture for the living room

If you live in a small home or studio apartment, then small furniture is your friend. A couple of accent chairs and a side table can create your very own living “room.” Photo found on Pinterest.

If you live in a small home or studio apartment, then small furniture is your friend. A couple of accent chairs and a side table can create your very own living “room.” Photo: Found on Pinterest

 

4. Take advantage of awkward spaces with a grouping of small accent furniture

A grouping of small furniture can turn almost any awkward corner in your home into usable space. I have seen sitting areas, breakfast nooks, craft corners, kid play areas and a home office all appear where the floor plan seemed to offer nothing. Photo found on Pinterest.

A grouping of small furniture can turn almost any awkward corner in your home into usable space. I have seen sitting areas, breakfast nooks, craft corners, kid play areas and a home office all appear where the floor plan seemed to offer nothing. Photo: Found on Pinterest

 

5. Layer side tables in the living room

This is a wonderful option: use multiple small side tables, rather than one large coffee table and the room is somehow more interesting and personal. There is an extra bonus: these little tables move easily which allows flexibility and flow when entertaining. Photo found on Pinterest.

This is a wonderful option: use multiple small side tables, rather than one large coffee table and the room is somehow more interesting and personal. There is an extra bonus: these little tables move easily which allows flexibility and flow when entertaining. Photo: Found on Pinterest

 

6. Find unique accent furniture pieces like an ottoman that doubles as a coffee table

Add a throw and the ottoman gives you more seating. Put up your feet after a long day and the ottoman extends your chair or sofa into a luxurious chaise. Then there is the all-time favorite trick of designers and hosts: add a tray to the surface of an ottoman and it becomes an extra table. Photos copyright Kouboo.com, LLC

Add a throw and the ottoman gives you more seating. Put up your feet after a long day and the ottoman extends your chair or sofa into a luxurious chaise. Then there is the all-time favorite trick of designers and hosts: add a tray to the surface of an ottoman and it becomes an extra table. Photos copyright Kouboo.com, LLC

 

7. Have fun with accent floor cushions

The bean bag, or floor cushion, is an overlooked piece of accent furniture. In an earlier post I wrote that they can add fun to any interior. They are also practical and comfortable – I have a very sophisticated client who chooses the floor cushion over her sofa every time. Photos copyright Kouboo.com, LLC

The bean bag, or floor cushion,is an overlooked accent furniture idea. In an earlier post I wrote that they can add fun to any interior. They are also practical and comfortableI have a very sophisticated client who chooses the floor cushion over her sofa every time. Photos copyright Kouboo.com, LLC 

 

8. Use versatile accent furniture: is it a stool or a table, or secret storage?

Ah, the lowly stool. This is one of my favorite pieces of accent furniture as it is so portable. Some stools are so beautiful they can become the center of your decorating scheme. Others sit to one side waiting for their moment to come forward and provide extra seating. These little workhorses can also store the television remote, books, a blanket and more. Photo found on Pinterest.

Ah, the lowly stool. This is one of my favorite pieces of accent furniture as it is so portable. Some stools are so beautiful they can become the center of your decorating scheme. Others sit to one side waiting for their moment to come forward and provide extra seating. These little workhorses can also store the television remote, books, a blanketand more. Photo: Found on Pinterest

 

9. Never underestimate the power of a bookcase

The trick to the bookcase is to keep them small so that they become part of the furniture layout, rather than taking over a room. Photos found on Pinterest.

The trick to the bookcase is to keep them small so that they become part of the furniture layout, rather than taking over a room. Photos: Found on Pinterest

 

10. Browse accent furniture ideas made by artists

Some accent furniture is designed and created by artists These three small side tables from Kouboo.com are a perfect example. The effect of adding one or two of these to your furniture plan is to elevate the entire room. Photos copyright Kouboo.com, LLC

Some accent furniture is designed and created by artists. These three small side tables from Kouboo.com are a perfect example. The effect of adding one or two of these to yourbedroom or living roomfurniture plan is to elevate the entire room. Photos copyright Kouboo.com, LLC

 

Please share with us your favorite tricks forusing accent furniture for small spaces—and let us know what you think of our new line ofunique accent furniture pieces at Kouboo.com. We love getting your feedback!