Best Modern Accent Furniture for UK Living Rooms

Once the main pieces of a living room are in place, it is the smaller items that give the space character. Accent furniture is where personality lives. A single well chosen chair, table or mirror can lift an ordinary room into something that feels designed rather than simply furnished, and it does so without the cost or commitment of replacing larger pieces.

The statement chair

An accent chair is the most useful piece in this category. It adds a seat, fills an empty corner and offers a chance to introduce colour or texture that the main sofa keeps neutral. A tub chair in a rich fabric or a sculptural design beside a window instantly draws the eye. Browse our tub chairs for shapes that work in both compact and generous rooms.

Console and side tables

Small tables do quiet, practical work while shaping the look of a room. A console table behind a sofa or along a wall provides a surface for lamps and objects without taking much floor space. Side and lamp tables put drinks and books within reach of every seat. Choosing these in a finish that contrasts gently with your larger pieces adds interest. Our console tables suit narrow walls and awkward gaps alike.

Mirrors that open up the room

A mirror is one of the most effective accents in a British living room, where natural light is often in short supply. Placed opposite or beside a window, it bounces daylight around and makes a modest room feel larger. A framed wall mirror can also act as a piece of art in its own right. Explore our wall mirrors to brighten a darker corner.

Footstools and ottomans

Few pieces are as quietly versatile as a footstool. It serves as somewhere to rest your feet, an extra seat when guests arrive and, with a tray on top, a low table. Some designs open up to offer hidden storage as well. This flexibility makes them especially valuable in smaller rooms. Our foot stools come in finishes to suit a range of schemes.

Display and storage with personality

Accent storage lets you show a little of yourself. A slim bookcase, a display unit or a drinks cabinet adds function while giving you a stage for books, plants and treasured objects. Keep the styling restrained so the pieces on show have room to be seen. A compact bookcase can turn a blank wall into a focal point.

Lighting as an accent

A lamp is as much a decorative object as a practical one. A sculptural floor lamp beside a chair or a pair of table lamps on a console adds shape, height and warmth while doing useful work in the evening. Choosing lighting with a little character lets it stand alongside your other accents rather than fading into the background.

Bring in pattern and texture

Accent pieces are a low risk way to introduce pattern and texture that larger furniture keeps plain. A patterned footstool, a textured cushion on an accent chair or a woven basket beside a bookcase adds interest without committing the whole room to a look. Because these elements are small, they are easy to change when your taste moves on.

Use plants and objects to finish

The final layer of any room is the collection of smaller things that make it feel lived in. A trailing plant on a shelf, a stack of well loved books or a single ceramic on a console turns furniture into a setting. Keep these groupings simple and let a few favourite objects carry the room rather than crowding every surface. Rotating these pieces from time to time, perhaps with the seasons, keeps the room feeling fresh without any cost, and gives you a simple way to respond to how the light and mood of the space change through the year.

Use accents with restraint

The skill with accent furniture lies in knowing when to stop. One or two confident pieces lift a room, while too many compete and create clutter. Choose accents that genuinely serve the space, give them room to stand out and let the calmer main furniture support them. We offer a wide range of modern furniture with free UK delivery, and you can explore the full collection at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as accent furniture? Smaller, characterful pieces such as statement chairs, console and side tables, mirrors, footstools and slim display units fall into this group.

How many accent pieces should a room have? One or two confident pieces usually lift a room, while too many begin to compete and create a cluttered feel.

Do mirrors really make a room look bigger? Yes. Placed near a window, a mirror reflects daylight and gives the impression of a larger, brighter space.

Are footstools worth buying? They are very versatile, working as a footrest, an extra seat and, with a tray, a low table, and some offer hidden storage too.