Decorative Accessories

The finishing layer—the objects, trays, and sculptural pieces that make a room feel collected and personal. Shop designer-curated decorative accessories to style shelves, tables, and mantels.

About Decorative Accessories

What counts as a decorative accessory?

Accessories are the small, movable objects that finish a space: sculptural objects, decorative bowls and trays, bookends, candleholders, boxes, and other tabletop pieces. They're the easiest, lowest-commitment way to refresh a room or shift its mood with the seasons.

How to style accessories in odd numbers

Designers group in odd numbers—threes and fives—because asymmetry reads more natural than pairs. Vary height, shape, and finish within a group: something tall (a vase or object), something to anchor (a stack of books), and something organic (a bowl or sculptural piece). Repeat a material or color across the room to tie it together.

Where to place them

Use trays to corral small items on a coffee table or ottoman so they read intentional, not cluttered. Punctuate bookshelves with objects between stacks of books. Anchor a mantel or console with a larger piece, then layer smaller ones. Leave negative space—accessories breathe better with room around them.

Mixing materials and finishes

Combine warm and cool, matte and shiny, smooth and textured—brass with stone, ceramic with wood, glass with linen. A mix of finishes adds depth, while repeating one accent (a metal tone, a color) keeps the look cohesive rather than busy.

Havenly In-Person

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Decorative Accessories in Real Rooms

Real spaces designed by Havenly designers, featuring decorative accessories — get inspired, then shop the look.

24 designer rooms

Decorative Accessories FAQs

How do I style accessories without it looking cluttered?

Group in odd numbers, vary heights, use a tray to contain small pieces, and leave negative space so each object has room to be seen.

What are the most versatile accessories to start with?

A decorative tray, a sculptural object or two, a stack of coffee-table books, and a bowl or vase—these flex across rooms and seasons.

How many accessories are too many?

If the surface reads busy or you can't set a cup down, edit. A few well-chosen pieces with breathing room beat a crowded surface.

How do I make a shelf look designer?

Layer art or a frame at the back, stack books both vertically and horizontally, add one object per shelf, and repeat a color or material across shelves.

Can a Havenly designer help me accessorize?

Yes—take our style quiz or book a designer, and we'll help you finish the room with pieces that fit your style.