The Power of Accents: Why They Matter (and How to Budget for Them!)
When it comes to interior design, the big-ticket items—sofas, beds, dining tables—usually steal the spotlight. They’re the pieces you invest in first, and they create the foundation of a room. But here’s the real magic: it’s not just the main furniture that makes your home shine. It’s the accents—the rugs, lamps, drapery, window treatments, art, pillows, and throws—that take a space from “nice” to “OH WOW.”
Think of accents as the jewelry of your home. You wouldn’t wear your favorite designer dress without accessorizing, right? The same goes for interiors. Without accents, a room feels flat and unfinished. With them, it feels layered, stylish, and personal.
At Home by Chelsea, we love helping clients in Lancaster, Hershey, Harrisburg, York, and all across Central PA see just how transformative these finishing touches can be—and how to budget for them wisely.
Why Accents Matter So Much
They Add Warmth and Personality
Picture a living room with just a sofa, coffee table, and console. Technically, it’s “done.” But add a patterned rug, soft drapery, glowing lamps, and pillows that pull in your favorite colors—and suddenly, the space feels warm, inviting, and uniquely yours.
It’s like slipping on a chic jacket over jeans and a t-shirt. One piece instantly elevates the look.
They Create Balance and Cohesion
Accents are the threads that tie a room together. A rug anchors the furniture arrangement. Drapery softens walls and frames a view. Pillows pull color stories from art or upholstery and repeat them across the room. Without these layers, the design feels incomplete—like a puzzle missing those final, satisfying pieces.
This is where the Ralph Lauren “third piece” rule comes in. Just as stylists know an outfit needs three elements to feel intentional (blouse + blazer + necklace), a room needs those same layers to feel finished (foundation furniture + accents + personality pieces).
They’re Flexible for Seasons and Style
Accents allow you to update without starting from scratch. Want to embrace cozy fall? Add textured throws, velvet pillows, and layered drapery. Craving breezy summer? Swap in linen window treatments and airy, light-toned pillows.
Think of it like your wardrobe: maybe you invest in designer shoes or a statement jacket, but pair them with your favorite t-shirt you’ve had for 15 years. Accents give you that same balance of timeless investment pieces and easy updates.
They Impact Mood and Function
It’s not all about looks—accents change how a room feels. A rug softens footsteps and quiets echoes. Lamps create pools of soft light that feel cozy and intimate. Drapery doesn’t just look pretty—it gives privacy, controls sunlight, and insulates your space. These details make everyday living more comfortable and beautiful.
How to Budget for Accents
Here’s where many homeowners trip up: they spend their entire budget on the big-ticket furniture, then realize they have nothing left for accents. That’s like buying the world’s most stunning gown but skipping the shoes, jewelry, and makeup—it’s just not complete.
Stick to the 25% Rule
Plan for about 20–25% of your total room budget to go toward accents. So if you’re investing $25,000 into living room furniture, earmark at least $5,000–$6,500 for rugs, drapery, lamps, pillows, and throws.
Prioritize High-Impact Pieces
At Ethan Allen, we help clients balance custom and ready-made options so you get the best mix of investment pieces and budget-friendly additions:
Rugs: Worth the splurge. A rug grounds your furniture and gets heavy use, so think quality, think wool.
Drapery & Window Treatments: Custom treatments elevate a space instantly—and they’re tailored to your windows perfectly.
Lamps: A mix of sculptural statement pieces and simple supporting players is a smart strategy.
Pillows & Throws: The easiest way to refresh a space. These are the “fun jewelry” you can swap seasonally without overspending.
Mix Custom + Ready-Made
Here’s where my services at Home by Chelsea can be so helpful: I offer both custom options (for that designer-shoes-level impact) and ready-made pieces (for the easy, affordable refresh). This way, your space feels luxe and layered without tipping the budget too far in one direction.
Use 3D Renderings to See the Difference
One of our favorite ways to show clients the importance of accents is through renderings.
A bedroom rendering without accents—just the bed, dresser, and nightstands—feels plain and unfinished.
Add in a rug, drapery, lamps, art, and pillows in the rendering, and suddenly it looks layered, sophisticated, and ready for a magazine feature.
The same goes for a modern, edgy living room: without accents it’s stark, but with them, it’s rich, warm, and stylish. It’s a powerful way to see how every dollar you invest in accents really counts.
A Central PA Story: Layering in Lancaster
I am currently working with a client in Lancaster that has moved into a new place, and already has their dream sectional, a gorgeous Persian rug, and a few accent tables. The space is technically “done,” but just doesn’t feel alive.
Our Plan
Add a chair (or two) to add an unexpected personality twist in a bold color.
Floor-to-ceiling drapery panels in a floral embroidered pattern that frames the windows beautifully and adds drama (and sound control!)
A curated mix of ready-made and custom pillows.
Expanding into the dining room with a coordinating wool rug and upholstered host chairs at the table.
I can’t wait to see how it comes to life. Join my newsletter to keep up to date on this project! And maybe while you’re on this page, let me know what room in your home you need to bring to life!
Quick Designer Tips
Always remember the third piece rule—every room, like every outfit, needs three strong layers to feel intentional.
If you’re budget is tight, balance splurge-worthy custom pieces with more affordable ready-made accents to stretch your budget without sacrificing style. I can help curate!
Plan for accents early in your budget—you’ll thank yourself later.
Final Thoughts
Accents aren’t “extras”—they’re essentials. They bring warmth, balance, flexibility, and function to your home. Rugs ground the space, drapery frames the room, lamps set the mood, and pillows and throws add softness and personality.
So when budgeting for your dream home in Lancaster, Hershey, Harrisburg, Carlisle, York, and surrounding Central PA areas, don’t skip the final 25%. Plan for accents, mix custom and ready-made from Ethan Allen, and think of it like your wardrobe: pair your investment pieces with the everyday layers that make life comfortable and stylish.
Because at the end of the day, a well-designed room—like a perfectly styled outfit—makes you feel confident, comfortable, and completely you.
