Designer accent pieces are more than just eye candy. They often play a big role in shaping a room’s character, whether you're working with bold colours, unique textures, or interesting materials. Over time, though, even the most stunning accent pieces can lose their charm if they’re not properly cared for. Dust buildup, unnoticed spills, and even everyday use can make them look tired no matter how high-end they are.
The good news is, with the right approach, you can keep your accent décor fresh without much hassle. A few basic cleaning habits go a long way, especially as we transition into fall in places like Edmonton, where indoor life becomes a little more front and centre. Whether we're talking about a velvet side chair, a sculptural wood side table, or metal wall art, keeping each type neat helps preserve both its quality and its impact in a room. Let’s look at what to pay attention to, starting with the basics: what your accent piece is made of.
Identify Material Types
Before grabbing a sponge or cleaner, it’s important to know what you're working with. Different materials react to products and techniques in their own way. Using the wrong approach can lead to damage, even if the intention is just to freshen things up. With designer accent pieces, careful cleaning starts with understanding what they’re made of.
Some of the more common materials you’ll find in stylish accent pieces include:
- Fabric: Soft chairs, poufs, or decorative pillows often feature linen, cotton, velvet, or polyester blends.
- Leather: Found on accent chairs or ottomans and usually comes in two forms: natural or faux.
- Wood: Used in side tables, accent benches, or sculptural décor. Can range from raw unfinished styles to oak, walnut, and stained finishes.
- Metal: Often seen in wall décor, legs of tables or chairs, or shelving units. Can be matte, polished, or coated.
To figure out the material, start by checking the tag or label if there is one. Furniture tags often contain care instructions or at least indicate the content. If there’s no tag, use your senses like touch, sight, and sometimes even smell. Leather has a specific scent and texture that tells it apart from synthetics. Natural wood feels solid and often shows a grain pattern, while veneered or composite wood won’t.
Knowing the surface helps you avoid cleaning with anything too harsh or too weak. For example, using water on unsealed wood can lead to stains, while applying oil to velvet can leave marks. Even decorative hardware like knobs or legs needs a careful touch depending on the finish. Once you’ve identified the material, you’re ready to focus on method, starting with fabric.
Cleaning Fabric Accent Pieces
Fabric is one of the most common materials used in designer accent furniture. While it adds softness and texture, it also tends to pick up dust, dirt, and stains more easily, especially on pieces like benches, chairs, and footstools. Regular cleaning helps fabric hold colour and stay fresh through changing seasons.
Here’s a simple approach to caring for fabric accent pieces:
1. Vacuum weekly. Use the upholstery attachment to remove dust, crumbs, and pet hair. Don’t forget seams and under cushions if they’re removable.
2. Spot clean carefully. For small spills or marks, blot gently with a clean cloth. Don’t rub. Use a mix of warm water and mild dish soap, but test in a hidden area first.
3. Tackle odours. Sprinkle baking soda on the surface and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, then vacuum. This helps with fabric that tends to trap smells.
4. Rotate accessories. Switch or rotate throw pillows to distribute wear evenly. This trick also helps refresh the look without much work.
5. Steam for a deeper clean. A handheld steamer can lift dirt and kill lingering germs, especially useful during flu season. Don’t use it on delicate fabrics like silk or wool blends without checking if it’s safe.
Let’s say you have a navy blue linen accent chair in your living room. After a summer of open windows and heavy use, the seat starts to feel a bit grimy and faded. A gentle vacuum, quick wipe of the legs, and a spot clean on the arms can revive its shape and colour fast. These small habits build up over time, helping you maintain your investment without adding extra chores to your week.
Next, let’s look at the dos and don'ts when it comes to leather pieces. While the process is a bit different from fabric, a little routine care keeps them looking polished.
Caring For Leather Accent Pieces
Leather accent pieces add sleek style, but they need a bit of regular attention to stay looking their best. Whether it’s a leather bench in the entryway or an accent chair in the living room, this material is strong but not indestructible. In dry Alberta climates like Edmonton, leather can dry out much faster, especially when placed near heaters or sunny windows.
To help your leather accents last, follow these simple care steps:
1. Wipe them down weekly with a dry, soft cloth to remove dust and surface dirt.
2. For heavier stains or marks, use a slightly damp cloth with a small drop of mild soap. Gently wipe, then dry immediately with a clean towel.
3. Use a leather conditioner every few months to restore moisture and keep the surface soft. Make sure the product is safe for your leather type.
4. Avoid placing leather pieces near direct heat or air vents, as this can cause cracking over time.
5. If possible, rotate the furniture occasionally to avoid uneven wear caused by sun exposure or heavy use on one side.
If you’ve ever owned a leather ottoman that started glossy and now looks dull and dry, that’s usually a sign it needs conditioning. Once it's cleaned and treated, you’ll be surprised how rich the colour and texture look again. Leather responds well to care when given the right products and a light touch.
Maintaining Wood And Metal Pieces
Wood and metal both bring unique personality to a room. They offer structure, shape, and visual balance, which is why they’re often used in accent tables, sideboards, wall décor, and bases for chairs or benches. That said, both materials are prone to issues if ignored. Dust and grime can mute wood’s grain, while metal can tarnish, spot, or rust depending on the coating.
Here’s how to clean them without risking damage:
- Dust often using a soft, dry microfiber cloth.
- For deeper cleaning on wood, use a damp cloth (not soaked) and follow the grain pattern. Always dry right after to avoid water rings.
- Avoid commercial sprays that leave oily residue unless the piece specifically calls for it.
- For scratched or tired-looking finishes, a wood touch-up marker can work wonders.
- Use a gentle metal polish on uncoated or decorative metals, but test in an unseen area first.
- For painted or coated metals, stick with damp cloths instead of abrasives.
In Edmonton’s drier months, unsealed wood can react to low humidity by shrinking or cracking. If you have a small wooden stool or a side table near a radiator, try moving it a bit further away and clean it more regularly to avoid drying it out. Cleaning goes beyond just keeping things looking good. It helps the piece hold together better over time.
Refresh Your Space with Expert Help
No matter how stylish or expensive your designer accent pieces may be, their impact only lasts if they’re cared for properly. A small habit like wiping things down each week or knowing what products are safe can help you avoid early wear, stains, or damage. It also protects the character each piece adds to your space.
Whether you’re dealing with fabric, leather, wood, or metal, staying on top of maintenance pays off. Especially in cooler seasons like fall, when you’re indoors more often, having your pieces look and feel clean makes your home more comfortable. It’s not about making things perfect, just keeping them in shape so they continue adding style and function to the rooms they’re in.
Keep your space looking chic with well-maintained details that bring out your home’s personality. Whether you're sprucing up your living room or adding an extra touch to another corner, consistent care makes a big difference. For more inspiration on how to elevate your interiors, explore our selection of designer accent pieces at Accents@Home. You’ll find both ideas and products to help refresh your home effortlessly.
