Accent Decor: 13 Items That Add Style To Every Room

Use these 13 types of accent decor to add beauty, style, and personality to every room in your home—simple ideas that work in any space.

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Accent decor plays a big role in creating a home that looks comfortable, curated, and personal. These items add style, and many serve a dual purpose, being both functional and decorative.

Accent decor is near and dear to my decorator’s heart! It’s the accent decor that finishes a room and adds our personality to it! A room can be easily updated by adding a few pillows and a throw, or by placing a drink table next to a chair, which adds a layer of decor that makes it more comfortable and interesting.

Accent decor works magic if done right! Let’s look at 13 decorative accents you should consider for the rooms in your home.

Accessorize Your Home With Trays

Trays are incredibly versatile and practical, making them a must-have in every room. Available in various shapes, sizes, and materials, they add both functionality and practicality to your decor.

Use trays to organize daily essentials, reduce clutter, or create eye-catching vignettes. A small tray in the entryway is ideal for keys, while one on a nightstand keeps nighttime essentials within easy reach. Serving trays with sturdy handles work for everything from daily meals to special occasions.

One of my favorite uses for trays is to corral decorative vignettes, turning everyday items into beautifully curated decor.

Candles, Candle Holders, And Lanterns

Candles are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to add warmth, mood, and beauty to your home. They are such a simple detail, but they create a big dose of drama.

Candles are versatile. You can use them in almost every room—on a table, a mantel, a bathroom vanity, a kitchen counter, or an entryway. They bring soft, ambient light that makes a space feel cozy and welcoming. They also add texture, height, and even color to a vignette. Whether you’re using real candles or battery-operated ones (my favorite), they create a lovely glow that instantly makes a space feel welcoming and comfortable.

Decorative Accent Pillows And Throw Blankets

Decorative accent pillows and throw blankets are my favorite ways to add personality to any room. They’re like jewelry for your home, adding pops of color, texture, and warmth that can instantly transform a room’s look and feel.

Group pillows of various sizes, patterns, and colors to create an attractive arrangement. On beds, layer them against the headboard with smaller ones in front to create an inviting and comfortable space.

Throws: Throws are just as essential as pillows, because they add both style and comfort to your home. They pair beautifully with pillows, complementing each other to add the cozy factor to your rooms.

Opt for heavier throws in cooler months and lighter ones when the weather warms up. Drape a throw over the arm of a sofa for a casual look, or fold one neatly on the back of a chair for a tidy appearance. Throws can also create a focal point when folded and stacked on a shelf or in an open cabinet, adding a layer of sophistication.

In any season, throws and pillows not only provide comfort but also make any space more inviting and stylish. By mixing and matching different textures and colors, you can create a luxurious and personalized look that reflects your unique style.

Here’s a helpful post about 6 WAYS TO STYLE A THROW.

Poofs, Ottomans, And Benches Are Essential Decor

Poufs, ottomans, and benches are two types of accent decor that are both beautiful and practical. They can fill in empty spaces, add texture, and offer extra seating when needed.

A pouf is a small upholstered cushion that works well tucked under a console or placed near a chair as a footrest. It’s a stylish way to soften a room and give it a more finished feel. Poufs also work well in small spaces and can easily be moved around when guests are over.

Benches, on the other hand, are a bit larger and more structured. They can be used at the end of a bed, under a window, or in an entryway. Add a pillow or throw to make them feel extra inviting.

Both poufs and benches bring visual interest and functionality to a room, and they can often be the perfect solution when a space needs just a little something extra.

Using Vases And Planters

I don’t collect many things, but I do love to collect practical home accents, especially vases. They’re both pretty and useful, and I find myself grabbing them to add to every room in our home.

Choose a mix of shapes and sizes: tall, short, wide, narrow, ceramic, glass, or metal. Some are best for holding flowers or greenery, and others look beautiful on their own.

Use vases for branches, leaves, flowers, or stems, but also think outside the box. Try using one to hold seashells or acorns, or turn a wide-mouth vase into a stylish pot for a houseplant. This is my favorite way to use a pretty vase or pedestal bowl. Glass vases can also be turned into beautiful candle holders.

Bowls And Dishes Are Versatile Accent Decor

Bowls and dishes are another practical and beautiful decor item. Choose pretty dishes that add color or texture to your room, even ones that don’t perfectly match. A little contrast keeps things interesting.

You can use bowls and dishes to:

• Stack and add height in a vignette
• Hold a candle and create a focal point
• Corral small items like jewelry
• Use as a panter
• Fill with fruit

One of my favorite looks is a simple white bowl filled with lemons on a coffee table or shelf.

Using Dishes On The Wall

Decorative dishes are not just for the table! They also make beautiful and unique wall art. Hanging dishes on the wall is a smart way to break up the visual weight of framed pictures and add interest and charm to a gallery wall.

Look for dishes in shapes, colors, and patterns that complement your decor. Use plate hangers or adhesive dish mounts to safely attach them to the wall. A grouping of dishes in similar tones can feel cohesive, while mixing patterns and sizes adds a bit of collected charm.

They’re a wonderful way to bring softness and personality to a space.

Flowers And Organics

If you’ve followed StoneGable for a while, you know I love using natural elements like flowers, twigs, moss, and other organics—both real and faux.

If you don’t have fresh flowers on hand, find high-quality faux blooms that look real even up close. I’ve a collection that I’ve gathered over time, and I love using it all year round.

Flowers, moss balls, dried branches, and greenery bring color, softness, and movement to a room, adding a touch of life and natural beauty. If you love a particular type of flower, like tulips or hydrangeas, consider using it as your signature bloom.

Don’t forget the grocery store! Grocery store bouquets can be a budget-friendly way to bring fresh beauty into your home.

Lamps Are Essential Decor

One of the best ways to add a welcoming atmosphere in a room is to have enough lamps in the room so their pools of light overlap, creating the perfect ambiance. Use well-placed lamps to create this effect. Consider using a variety of lamp sizes and types.

Lamps, like pillows, are not just a practical item. They are like jewelry, adding interest and a touch of something special to a room. Choose one (or set) lamp that shows off your personality and let the other lamps in the room be supporting actors.

Using Mirrors In Your Home

I think every room deserves a mirror. They add reflective light, make a room feel larger, and add personality and beauty. Pay attention to mirror frames. Select mirrors that complement the overall look of a room.

Best Mirror Placement In A Room

Where you hang a mirror matters just as much as the mirror itself. Here are some of the best places to use mirrors in your home:

• Across from a window: This is one of the smartest placements. A mirror positioned across from a window reflects natural light, giving a room a brighter, airier feel.
• Above a console or buffet: This creates a classic, balanced look. Add a pair of lamps or candles on either side, and you have a timeless vignette.
• At the end of a hallway: A mirror here adds depth and keeps narrow hallways from feeling closed in.
• In an entryway: This is both pretty and practical. A mirror near the front door gives you one last look before heading out and helps bounce light into the space.
• Behind a lamp or candles: This creates a soft glow and adds a warm ambiance to your room.
• Layered into a gallery wall: Smaller mirrors mixed with art or plates break up the visual weight and add interest.
• Leaning on a mantel or shelf: This gives a more relaxed, collected look. It’s a great option if you want flexibility or don’t want to hang anything on the wall.

Decorative Baskets

I’ve had a soft spot for baskets ever since my grandmother gave me a small handled one when I was a teenager. That little gift started a lifelong love of baskets, and now you’ll find them in every room of our home, often more than one in each space.

Baskets are a perfect example of accent decor that’s both beautiful and functional. They add texture, warmth, and interest while keeping things neat and organized. And because they’re easy to move around, you can shift them from room to room to create new looks or store different things. I love using them to hold throws, extra pillows, books, and even seasonal decor.

Flat baskets are especially fun to decorate with. Hang a few on the wall for an eye-catching and easy-to-style display. They’re a great way to add natural texture and a bit of pattern to any space.

Small Decorative Boxes

Small boxes are an accent treat! I’ve been slowly collecting them, and they add a layer of detail and interest to a room! Decorative boxes add personality and a little curiosity, no matter where they are placed in a room.

Small decorative boxes can hold precious little things on the inside and outside! Just like the small dishes we discussed above, small decorative boxes are ideal for holding jewelry and other small bits and bobs.

I have a small silver rectangle box on my nightstand for my lip balm. It makes me happy when I reach for my lip balm before bed.

Use these boxes in a vignette or on an accent table with other decor or anywhere you need a little interest.

Small Decor Frames

Small picture frames are such a lovely and personal way to decorate. I keep many in my office, filled with pictures of my children and grandchildren.

Try using a few frames to tell a story, like pictures from a wedding, vacation, or special event. Sepia or black-and-white photos in interesting frames are a pretty and sentimental addition to a room. Group interesting frames in a tray or spread them out on a table or shelf, and mix frame shapes, styles, and sizes for a casual, collected look.

Small Drink Tables

Small drink tables are so underrated! I just love them. They are so interesting and helpful, adding a lovely element of design to a room. They add a layer of decor without overwhelming a space. These petite tables can be tucked beside a chair that lacks an end table or placed where you want to add a candle or a picture.

I fit a garden stool in the same category as darling drink tables. It serves the same purpose as a drink table and, in a pinch, can also function as a seat.

Add Your Favorite Collectibles

Collectibles are another wonderful way to add personality to your home. We should always surround ourselves with things we love. Collections tell our story. Group a few collected items together, or tuck one special thing into your decor when you have a little space to fill.

I’m not much of a collector, but small pictures and brass animals are adding up at our home.

Decorating with a precious collection should be intentional and curated. Only use the best of what you have collected and don’t overdo it.

When I think of accent decor, the words personality and beauty come to mind. These decorating pieces might not be the main focus of a room, but they’re often what make a space feel layered, collected, and truly lived-in.

Walk through your home and take a few minutes to notice the accent decor in each room. Then think about what might be missing—those thoughtful pieces that reflect your style and bring warmth and charm to your home. Adding just one or two well-chosen accent pieces can make a big difference in how your home looks and feels.

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Happy decorating, friends…