The Do's & Don'ts of Accent Furniture & When to Let Them Go 

Is accent furniture something you have too much of or too little? It's one of those things that can sneak in under the radar and start to cause disorder in a space, if not done right. Let me know in the comments below where you get most of your accent furniture and if that is a good thing.

I agree. So much psychology in design. My goal is to curate a home full of peace. All of my furniture is either second hand, inherited, or thrifted in this season of life. As I have matured in my design and decor philosophies, I see thrifting as a wonderful resource but there was a time that lived in clutter due to diy and “could use that someday” mentality. Especially saving things for my children that they would need or want one day. Turns out… We raised successful children that can afford to buy whatever they like! 😂 While that’s a wonderful thing, I was absolutely shocked that 5 grown children didn’t take much with them! 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ Lesson learned and furniture hoard donated. I have one more child left at home and there’s nothing left to take with her. I think she’s gonna be just fine as well. 😊 This video was so special with your share. I’ve been lifting up your name in prayer for the upcoming Bespoke Design Retreat but I’ll be praying that God’s will and glory be accomplished in those pieces of the four major losses you’ve experienced that have not yet been restored.

This was amazing. Letting Go is something I really struggle with. We have a garage so full of B+ furniture, I joke that I should open my own antique store. But the truth is I wouldn't be able to part with it, even if someone wanted to pay me. 😂 I am sorry you have had so many deep losses and in such a short time. I lost my father three months ago and am seeing the day approach when I will have to arrange my mother's funeral, too. From one soul to another, HUGS.

So true! I have been an avid garage sale, estate sale, thrift store junkie for years, and accent pieces are cheap and easy to cram into the back of your car! Now as an empty nester I am editing down and letting go, and it has been so freeing. Plus, even more importantly, I am gaining so much space in my home! Your three purposes of accent furniture is accurate and for me it's always storage and a place for a drink/book/iPad.

So helpful! We don’t give ourselves permission to let something go for whatever reason…and in letting it go, we refresh and clean up the energy/amount of stress that object represented. I find your videos to be very encouraging and full of the warmest common sense. Thank you.

Amen,,,your words of Loss and some pieces have been restored to you and some have not just touched me so much. I lost my mom almost 11 yrs ago and my Dad and Husband 6+ years ago. I lost them 5 days apart. But, recently I have felt that I am in a new season and that God has showed me and my son so much Grace. I am also with open arms waiting for what ever God has next in the season of my life. God Bless you

Your introduction was thoughtful and eloquent. I am sorry for your losses, but you seem to be moving forward in a healthy way. Thank you for acknowledging God's hand throughout those difficulties. And my condolences on the passing of your mother. Christine.

Loved this video. I have been redecorating my home with things I already own. Have been decluttering because frankly I'm so tired of being in transition. I love to decorate ..not clean..lol .so I really would like to have things more simple. Today ..my son's girlfriend saw a piece of furniture that I had for over 6 years ...and was putting in yard sale finally because it was collecting too much dust and just frankly driving me crazy! She wanted it and had a perfect place for it. Made me so happy to pass this on to her. Right now I have our bedroom and the living room fully declutterred....they are wonderful rooms...peaceful and I love being in them. Anywho...such an important aspect of decorating....letting go! Thank u for sharing!!!

Bunny Williams is also a designer that believes every sitting area needs a small table to set a drink or something on. (And she is also a maximalist!)

This is such an important lesson and it took me awhile to become completely comfortable with it. Not so much in the accent furniture arena but in the vignettes. I would think something was off so my natural instinct was to fill it, similar to how if we are in a crowed but silent room we often feel the need to break the awkwardness with conversation. It took me a long while how to learn to be comfortable with the silence just as I learned that often spaces didn’t need more, they needed edited. The beginning of this video was so lovely and heartfelt

Such a beautiful intro, Sarah. I just really loved it. I'm hoping to join your design school soon. We just bought our 1900 Victorian and the biggest decision we've made so far is to paint it blue. =) But I had to scramble and buy furniture so that we had furniture to start with. We don't have drapes/window treatments yet, and I'm trying to be careful about what I buy ... I'm trying to stop buying the little things and save for the big things ... in any case, I hope to join soon. I need help! =)

Yup, you are correct even if it hurts me to say so. I could definitely use some editing in my home.

Such a timely video for so many of us. I have too many accent shelves, etc. I'm finally giving myself permission to rehome them. It's often hard to part with lovely items because you remember that you paid good money for them. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Sorry for your loss. I just lost dad on July 26th so I know the sorrow. Prayers for healing. Thanks for the vids, I really enjoy and appreciate them.

What a lovely way to remember your beloved mother - the dahlias. 🌸🌺🌸

I learn so much from watching your videos. Thank you for such inspiring and great information when thrifting and decorating.

Sarah, you made such great points! I am someone that LOVES to Thrift! I love my knickknacks. So I used to fill my Home with lots of them. When we decided to downsize to a 400 square foot Studio Apartment, I had to rethink what I wanted to bring into my home. It was a hard process but at the same time very freeing. I was able to sell a few items and donate the rest. Now I'm far more intentional in what I bring into my home and feel I enjoy it more! I am SO sorry to hear if your losses! A few years ago, I went thru that. It's a hard Season! May you experience God's Peace and Presence as He leads you beside Still Waters 🙏

🇬🇧 Not sure if you realised that one of the photographs you used of a cluttered sitting room, to demonstrate a room packed with too much furniture, was a photograph of our much loved Princess Anne and her husband Timothy Lawrence, in their home Gatcombe park. It’s an historic home, full of beautiful antiques and more modern pieces. You’re absolutely right though there’s too much stuff and it just shows that money doesn’t always guarantee a picture perfect home, although it’s probable a welcome change from the formal palaces she grew up in.

wow.. I think you were a gift today. Today I was getting rid of my clutter and you were the extra push. You're giving me a sensation of soft living... Thank you❤

I love your channel, your transparency and love of your craft shines through.

I love that you can let go. Thank you for this, it was very heartfelt. May God continue to bless you. As always I love your videos

I just moved from a tiny house to a 2,000 square foot home home. I have NO furniture - so this is helpful to begin my “need/want” furniture list.

So sorry for the loss of your Mom and other loved ones

My deepest condolences for the loss of your mom. I lost my children's dad last fall...moving forward is hard; letting go is harder.

Your notion of "letting go" and living with an "open hand" made me think of this verse I was thinking about recently: "John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven." (John 3:27). Wishing you a wonderful season of living with an open hand, both to receive and to give from what heavens bestows to you.

Great ideas! Essentialism has been my word for a while.

I myself am in the process of paring down some pieces of accents furniture. And it feels great, because it lets me do better in decorating and finally organizing and loving where I live. My to do list is getting smaller. Enjoyed your program thank you. Have a great day.

Hello! I am so sorry for your losses, may God heal your heart in time. Also, I would love to hear how you gave up sugar! All of your videos are great timing...we are in the process of moving to our 1876 bungalow in Ludington, Mi! I'm doing a full on redecorating 😊

Lovely lead-in!

Ha! I have done all these things! Ugh! I am working on letting. It always feels so good to have a clutter free space!!

I really enjoyed this video. Life lessons and thoughtful design. Thank you, it was very thoughtful.

Loooved this video.🤍🫶🏻🤍

Release a piece that no longer services you. Well said. Somehow makes me feel better about getting rid of a few pieces. It doesn’t seem as harsh or heartless. 😊

After many, many years of placing furniture in various houses I've owned, I'm pretty good at editing, especially now that I'm in my downsized phase. But there's one piece of furniture in my dining room that I knew wasn't right when I bought it. The style is too repetitive of the rest of the pieces in there, but worst of all, it's just a little too big. But it IS tremendously functional. It holds board games, a duvet used for guests and most importantly a piece of medical equipment I use every day. And it serves as a "sideboard" for those meals at the table when you want to have the dishes of food nearby, but they don't all fit on the table itself (like Thanksgiving). It also serves to anchor a treasured family oil painting that is jutst right for the room and the space. I have looked literally for YEARS for the right piece for this place, and have never found something this functional that works visually. I could trade it out for a small behind-the-sofa table that's visually perfect for the room, and just the right size, but that would mean I'd have to find a place to store the medical equipment. What am I missing here? There's got to be some solution to this problem that doesn't mean I have to haul the medical equipment from the far reaches of the house to the couch, which is where I need to use it. My style is an eclectic mix of antiques and vintage leaning towards English country cottage, and a mid-century modern or cutting edge NY chic object is going to stick out like a sore thumb, and require major changes in the rest of the house to make it look like it belongs. Do you (or anyone reading this) have any suggestions?

Great video Sarah. Thank you!

Keep for beeswax for cosmetics and candles!

Pet peeves: fake plants, upright pillows on chairs that need to be removed in order to sit, lamps standing on books, mass produced art.

Something to think about. I always enjoy your informative videos.

When I saw your fireplace screen at the beginning of your video I stopped right there. I had seen one at Habitat exactly like it online yesterday and really wanted it but felt it was a bit more than I wanted to spend. I did some checking and found that it was actually a good price for a solid brass Louis the XVI replica fireplace screen. So you guessed it, I have it in my home now and I love it!!

Your intro was beautifully done

Letting go and control takes a lot of skill. I have recently painted and exercising control takes a lot of restraint.

Okay Sarah, don't avoid the piano accent furniture discussion . . . it was a glaring omission in this video and we all know why . . . lol AS YOU WELL KNOW it is hard to get rid of a piano because they are not valuable . . . people give them away . . . they are so heavy to move on to a truck . . . it is nearly impossible to find someone that wants one in this mobile society. People think, we would have to move that thing every time we move and find a house that has space for it. It may be a sentimental piece to you but visitors to your home just see a big piece of furniture that takes up an entire wall and is not even attractive. Many times I have asked people about their piano, "Oh, do you play?" and 99 percent of the time they say "No, my child took lessons (20 years ago or more) and we just never got rid of it." Like an apology. Even if they do play who wants to entertain their guests by struggling to play their requests? Pianos are the number one elephant in the room accent piece that needs to go when decorating. Of course, if you are Billy Joel you'd have a piano in every room! lol --Sheila McDade in Chattanooga, TN

Great advice, Sarah!! ❤

Thank you for the bar cart response! =)

As usual, very great ideas

This was well timed for me. Redecorating bedroom. Have one side of bed to deal with. Good questions. Do I need storage do I need to just place things, and I definitely need to let go what’s there. Thank you. ❤

You were speaking to me: an excess of occasional furniture. Thanks for the guidance.

beautiful

My furniture is mostly inherited or thrift store finds. And am sad that my two grown daughters want nothing of my furniture or china or silver.

Pollinators are always useful. Sell the honey.

Just curious, so when you say you don’t eat any sugar even natural sugar. Does that mean you don’t eat fruit anymore?

Sarah, you have mentioned many times items being a "10". Is there a list of requirements you have made to meet the "10" level? If so, would you share?

I use to live like that, I felt that the things I filled my space with things I loved and made me happy, also, liked to change things around quite a bit. But as I got older, I have simplified my life with things and yes , so freeing and much easier to clean. BUT…. My problem is. My husband mom died and he was the only one left so got everything and brought it into our home and I don’t want it or like it and doesn’t match my things or my style! What do I do?? Please help, I have asked him to get rid of it all and he tells me no , it was my moms. Not only that, it carries a weird smell in it and I can’t get it out, it’s literally soaked into the wood and everything!?

Good Ideas. Blessings.

Beautiful ❤

Why you don’t eat honey 🍯 or sugar any more?❤

An excellent idea of letting go…hard but doable….

@SheHoldsDearly Hello, I just found your channel today and I LOVE it. I just watched “How to use NEW Dark Academia. . .” But I have a question. . . Is there a way to combine Dark Academia and Primitive aesthetics. I LOVE them both and both of these aesthetics bring me peace and comfort. If there is a way to combine them, would you be willing to do a show on them? I would LOVE IT! I have pictures of my home I can share privately with you via email or some other way of contact. Thank you so very much!!

Off topic but where did you get that beautiful blouse or dress?

❤❤❤

That was sad to see your bee life go.