Accent furniture that can serve multiple functions at home has become a key selling point. For the Home Accents Today’s 2026 Accessory Playbook, we asked two independent retailers how they choose accent furniture at wholesale, and how they present it on the selling floor to customers.
“For small spaces, accent furniture can be useful. Our customers like anything with shelves, such as small tables where they can store books. Side tables or consoles with storage are functional and popular. Nesting tables are versatile because they can be used together or even in different rooms. We show these pieces styled with accessories, such as cute vases and flowers, photo frames and greenery to give the impression someone lives with this.”
— Susan Hoechner, owner, Barbara Stewart Interiors, Bowling Green, Ky.
“In my experience, people are looking for furniture that does more than one job, but they don’t want it to look like it’s doing more than one job. We sell a lot of drink tables, nesting tables, storage ottomans, benches, stools and smaller accent chairs because they’re easy to move around the house and use in different ways. A drink table might end up as a nightstand. A bench might live in an entry today and around a dining table when you’re hosting family. We start by asking how our clients actually live. Then we look for pieces that support that lifestyle without sacrificing style.” – Rachel Brasch, owner, Holos House, McKinney, Texas
