A symmetrical, matching set of furniture can make a room look clean and sharp. But there's no rule stating that furniture needs to match, and varying a few elements is an easy way to add contrast and texture to a room while showcasing your personal style. One piece that's well-suited to variety is the accent living room table. Accent tables in the living room serve different functions—from side tables that provide a platform for a lamp or photos to coffee tables that hold magazines and remote controls—and the range of sizes, shapes and placement create a natural variation that can be easily enhanced with the right combinations.
The same goes for mixing and matching metals. Don't feel restricted to choosing all one type of hardware. Metals can happily cohabit, with gold, brass, bronze, silver and copper working in tandem to create maximum impact—and unlike wood, blending warm and cool tones provides a bigger statement.
At the same time, don't feel limited to purchasing accent tables made of the same material. Try a blend of woods and metals, such as a wooden end table with an antique bronze coffee table. Wood will add warmth to the metal pieces, while metal tables provide an industrial, modern balance to rustic wood.