Accent Furniture: The Future of Interior Design

By Amanda Cohen on February 28, 2018

This article is brought to you by CORT Furniture Rental. We take the hassle out of furnishing your new place so you can do more important things like read this article. Learn more about why furniture rental is the best way to get a great looking apartment.

When decorating your apartment, it’s obviously important to have the essentials: a table, desk, bed, bed frame, mattress, couch, chair, etc. However, once you do have the essentials you also want to turn your apartment into a home, regardless if it is a long-term living situation or not. Transforming your apartment into a home is actually easier than most people think, but it definitely goes farther beyond just buying some artwork and picture frames (even though these are important items).

Some people may have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about, and others might see where I’m going to this. Regardless, I’m going to tell you all the secret to sprucing up your apartment and turning it into a home: accent furniture. Accent furniture are pieces that are either meant to use practically or as decoration that give your apartment a little extra oomph. Here are some go-to accent furniture pieces for apartments of also sizes and for people of all ages.

Image via. https://pixabay.com/en/dining-room-living-room-furniture-1158266/

Large Chairs

In your living room, it is definitely important to have a couch. However, it is also nice to have an extra chair to (1) have some extra seats for when people come over, (2) to fill up your space in a way that’s both practical and trendy, and (3) to add some decoration in the form of furniture. Larger chairs are probably the most popular accent furniture pieces because they are multi-faceted and are both practical and stylish.

The reason I say large chairs as opposed to smaller chairs is that the larger chairs make more of a decorative statement, which is what accenting is all about. When choosing a chair, I would opt for one that gives your apartment a pop of color and somewhat contrasts with the rest of the room.

For example, in my sister’s apartment, she has a blush-colored couch, but her accent chair is blue. This makes the chair stand out and make a statement. If you decide to further accessorize the chair, you can opt for a pillow that matches the rest of your apartment’s color scheme.

Image via. https://pixabay.com/en/be-luggage-decoration-apartment-1317014/

Coffee Tables

Even though having a coffee table may not seem necessary if your apartment already has a countertop and/or dining room table, I promise you once your purchase a coffee table you will forever be obsessed. Adding a coffee table to the center of your living room is a perfect way to tie the entire room together and make it more inviting to visitors. The beauty of coffee tables is that you truly cannot go wrong with any color, size, or shape.

I personally love round, larger coffee tables with gold-colored hardware, but this is very much dependent on the color scheme and size of your apartment. Use your coffee table as a chance to be really creative with shapes… you don’t have to go for the circular or square coffee table; maybe find a table in the shape of a hexagon… the world is truly your oyster! I definitely recommend purchasing a larger coffee table so that you and your guests could eat there and put items on there while watching television, etc.

Image via. https://pixabay.com/en/coffee-cup-cup-coffee-side-table-1684640/

Side Tables

Side tables are a fantastic way to make a statement and, because of their small size, you can have multiple and put them throughout your apartment. Side tables don’t only have to be used to put on the side of your bed, but they can be used just about anywhere to display flowers, picture frames, lamps, candles, etc. At your apartment entrance, you can place a tall, thin side table that boasts flowers or a scented candle that improves the hominess of your apartment and automatically will feel welcoming to visitors.

Side tables are practical because they can hold up light fixtures and are a great place to set down your coffee mug while your all cozied up in front of the television. Another great way to accessorize side tables is by putting decorative books on them. These books can be about fashion, food, culture, and just about anything. Keep in mind that these are more decorative books and can be heavy, both in weight and in price, so only purchase these if you have a little extra money in the bank!

The beauty of side tables is that you can get creative and buy multiple styles, colors, patterns, and shapes and place them throughout your apartment. Depending on the size of your apartment, I recommend purchasing 3-5 different side tables and placing them at the entrance of your apartment, on the sides of your couch, and on the sides of your bed.

Now that you know what to buy, you need to know where to buy them! Here are some great websites to search for your accent furniture pieces!

  • CORT
  • West Elm
  • Urban Outfitters
  • Anthropologie
  • Wayfair
  • Bed Bath & Beyond
  • One Kings Lane

Accent furniture will truly transform your apartment and you will get to feel like an interior designer for a little bit! Happy decorating to my readers!

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.

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