Accent furniture is a piece of furniture that compliments a space.

Literally it is a piece that emphasizes something like a color or style.

Accent furniture adds the punctuation to a room.

These pieces can be completely different from everything else in the space or they can underscore and support a whole design scheme.

It’s that antique bar cabinet you found on Facebook Marketplace.

Or, the colorful hall chest you found at West Elm.

I said they’re the punctuation for a room’s design because they’re often pieces that stand out and call attention because they’re unique in some way.

They provide a pause as you peruse the room.

Often, they complete a design; adding that last detail, or filling an awkward corner where nothing else works.

And, probably the most important function of accent furniture, is its ability to add storage or at least a surface for displaying your treasures.

Whatever way you slice it, rooms would look pretty empty without accent furniture.

As you consider how to use the space in your home, let me show you 5 ridiculously simple ways to improve your accent furniture game.

1. Decide on Size and Shape

Sometimes you need a piece to go in a specific place.

You wouldn’t run out to buy an accent piece that’s too big or too small for the area, right?

And, what a bummer to do that unintentionally!

You get the piece all the way home only to find it doesn’t fit that way you hoped it would.

Now you’ll have to load it back in the car and schlep it back to the store.

Here’s a scenario:

Say you have a niche in your entry way.

The niche bumps in 30” and extends 42”. It’s a perfect place for a small cabinet but wouldn’t be very useful for much else.

Knowing you have a space with limits, you wouldn’t buy something that’s 60” long, right?

Even if you don’t have a niche, you probably have a certain amount of space to put an accent piece.

The first thing you want to do is measure so you know exactly how much room you have.

You don’t want to guess because the wiggle room might not be there.

This is SO true for small spaces.

Make a small sketch of the space and include things like windows, doors or anything else that will impede the functionality of the space or the accent piece. Then record all the dimensions of the area on the sketch.

Keep it with you when you’re out shopping so you know how much space you actually have.

Think about using vertical space.

Maybe instead of a long piece, a tall piece will work better?

Make sure you have the measurements of the wall height for the space as well.

Try to visualize how a tall piece will look in the space.

Does it feel overwhelming?

If it does, consider a tall piece that has an open back and sides like an etagere.

Could the space use something long and low?

Perhaps you have a large art canvas and you need something to anchor it?

Having a piece that has enough visual weight below a large piece of art will balance a space.

Consider the shape

Do you need a curved front because the piece is in a walkway?

I love to use demilune tables in small spaces without a lot of walking space.

If you have a small entry foyer or a narrow hall or walkway, these rounded tables are a great way to add an accent piece for display and functionality.

Some are long and narrow. Others have closed storage.

You’ll find demilunes made of glass, lucite, metal, wood. They’re out there.

Do you need something round to fit between two chairs?

If so, a small round drink table could be the perfect place to put down a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

Perhaps you need a large, square coffee table or ottoman to sit in front of the sofa or sectional and two opposing chairs.

Design tip: Don’t be afraid to use large accent pieces in small spaces because you’d be surprised at how totally appropriate a large piece can be in a small space.

A large coffee table in front of a sofa or small sectional can provide a beautiful and functional anchor to a seating group.

A large piece provides the ideal place for accessories and gives every seated person a proper place to set a glass down.

2. Decide on Functionality

Do you need extra storage?

Say you need a place to keep your spools of wool or yarn. You love to knit but you don’t want to keep your spools and needles out all the time.

Maybe you have a collection of shot glasses for every place you’ve vacationed, but you don’t want them on display collecting dust or potentially getting damaged.

A small accent cabinet could give you the hidden storage you need for both these situations.

Does it need to be open or closed?

If you want to contain things that you need, like paperwork, mail or toys; but you don’t need or want to see it, getting a piece with closed storage will be ideal.

Do you need it to perform a certain function?

Will the piece need to be multi-functional?

Maybe it’s got closed storage that acts as a bar cart to house your liquor and glasses, but it also serves as a display surface for keepsakes and a lamp.

Does a piece need to hold books? Display treasures? Think about if you want the piece to be used to create a focal point or house a vignette.

Knowing the functionality of a piece will help you to narrow your choices so you can concentrate on eliminating other pieces that don’t check your functionality requirements.

3. Decide on Style

Do you want a piece that emphasizes your overall style? If you love Scandi Boho, it probably won’t make sense to pick up an accent table that screams Art Deco.

Or, do you want to mix styles?

If you’re a fan of eclectic, then having an Art Deco cabinet paired with Modern Farmhouse might be just the thing you’re looking for.

Design tip: Create a Pinterest board or mood board that you can save to your phone as a reference for the style that you’re looking for.

Being clear on your style can help to limit your choices when you’re out shopping and that’s not a bad thing.

It will help you avoid analysis paralysis and being overwhelmed.

Having design parameters that define the style you’re going for will keep you focused on the look you want to achieve.

4. Decide on Material and Construction

Do you want it to be metal, stone, or glass?

Maybe you’d like a wood tone to match or contrast other wood furniture?

Sourcing a piece that has the same or a similar wood tone or grain as your favorite pieces can give you visual consistency in a space.

Perhaps you have very minimal aesthetic and all your furniture and occasional pieces are Scandinavian inspired, light wood, clean lines...

A bright or bold accent piece might not work for your space.

On the other hand, if you’re more eclectic, leaning more in the Bohemian style, you’ll probably love to embrace a colorful piece that will add a contrast or pop of color.

You may even find a piece that reinforces an accent color you’re decorating with or want to incorporate.

If you’re in the process of coming up with a color story for your space, a good place to start planning that out is with the 60 30 10 rule.

That’s where 60% of your room is the majority of color, think main upholstery, wall color.

30% is the secondary color, which could be window treatments, area rugs, and secondary upholstery.

The final 10% is the accent colors, or touches of color you want to bring in. These are things like accent pillows, accessories or art.

A good way to reinforce that last 10% is with an accent piece that brings that color or texture in.

Deciding on the material and construction before heading out to the stores or visiting websites, will help you edit down a sea of choices to only those that meet your criteria.

5. Decide on Mood

Finally, decide on the mood you want to create with the piece.

How can accent furniture set a mood, you ask?

Well, think about if you need an accent table with a lamp to brighten up a dark corner.

You may have gotten used to the dark corner but since adding in an accent table, you realize that there’s an opportunity to add a lamp.

Suddenly it becomes a focal point. You have a new usable space. You may add a chair and a stack of books to thumb through…

The space went from a dark forgotten corner to a new focal area with formally unforeseen possibility.

When considering the mood of a space, think about if you want the space to feel like it blends with the other spaces nearby, or do you want to create a unique look to play up an eclectic vibe.

The Danish word, hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is the perfect way to think about defining a mood with accent pieces.

The word translates to “creating a warm atmosphere.”

So, the essence of hygge has everything to do with creating a special moment that elicits a feeling of coziness out of ordinary things or events.

That feeling of possibility you creating by styling a dark corner with a beautiful accent piece and a lamp is deciding on the mood, and that is also hygge.

There you go, 5 ridiculously simple ways to improve your accent furniture game:

• First, figure how much space you have and the size and shape of the accent piece you want there.

• Then, decide on how you want it to function. Do you need storage? What kind?

• Next, think about if you want it to compliment or contrast what you already have.

• After that, figure out what material you want your accent piece to be, wood, metal, stone. How do you want it constructed?

• Last, think about the mood you want create with the inclusion of the accent piece. Are you going for cozy or utilitarian?

I’d love to know how you decide on your accent pieces.

Leave me a comment below and tell me your system.

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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s offered online interior e-design services for small spaces ranging from coaching, product sourcing and full room plans with installation guidance. He is a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating space homes and awkward layouts. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.