In this sweet video that Brooke Shields posted on Instagram, where she is dancing with her daughter, Rowan Henchy, the eagle-eyed amongst you might notice more than just the actress's ace dance moves. It was the two red accent chairs that immediately caught my eye and made me recall a designer trick that never fails.
The unexpected red theory is about punctuating a space with just a hint of the vibrant shade and echoing it in one or two more places to ensure it looks intentional, not random, for a striking look – not unlike a perfectly polished red lip.
I reached out to designers for the low-down on Brooke's living room look, and I've rounded up these red accent pieces that you can use to bring a touch of designer flair to any space, from this red armchair at Wayfair, to a chic red cashmere throw (Macy's) – trust us, it's such an easy add, but creates maximum impact.
Shop Red Accent Pieces For Your Living Room
With a nailhead trim and traditional silhouette this armchair will bring a sophisticated look to a living room scheme. Pair with marble and glass for classic style.
For a more luxe space, this pair of accent chairs with gold legs will work perfectly. Add more metallic accents throughout for a cohesive and intentional look.
Why go halves when you add an accent piece? Make it bold in color and design, like this noodle pipe chair which resembles a piece of modern art.
A beautiful designer candle like this can look really striking on a coffee table and is just enough for that 'whisper' of red to complement a stronger accent piece.
Add a coffee table book in a bright red hue to echo the effect of larger accent pieces as Brooke Shields has in her elegant living room scheme.
Enliven a neutral hued sofa with a rich red throw blanket. This 100% cashmere one will bring a touch of luxury and textural interest to contrast a linen couch.
While it might not feel instinctive to add a pair of bold and bright accent chairs to an otherwise neutral space – see Brooke Shields' white couch, glass table, and blue-gray rug and furniture – it's a simple yet brave move that is incredibly impactful.
But what is it about decorating with red in particular that is so effective? 'Red is the only color that feels simultaneously ancient and urgent,' explains Rebecca Formichella, Founder & Principal Designer of Studio Formichella, in NYC. 'The color blends a palpable history into any interior space; it remembers lacquered chinoiserie, Roman villas, and Scandinavian farmhouses, but it never looks dated in the right context.'
Hebe Hatton, Head of Interiors at Homes & Gardens, agrees: 'I still love the unexpected red theory, and I have tried it with other colors (with varying degrees of success), but nothing has worked as well as a red accent. Just as you can see here in Brooke Shields' living room, it breaks up the otherwise neutral scheme, adding warmth and vibrancy.'
And it's not just the chairs that bring in the accent hue. Part of the success of the theory is in repeating the shade elsewhere in the room, so it reads intentional and styled rather than accidental. Rebecca elaborates: 'No other color commands a neutral room in quite the same way, but even a bold pop of red needs an echo. A single chair can feel stranded, but when you carry even a whisper of it elsewhere, be it a sculptural vase, a bold throw, or a rug, the eye then travels and the room comes alive.'
In Brooke Shields' living room, some coffee table books (like The Red Book from CB2) and hints of red in fabrics and sculpture are enough to do the trick. Louie Drehmer, Founder of Art & See warns against overdoing it with too many small hints of red. 'It's easy to end up with color scattered across multiple shelves and surfaces, which can feel busy even if each item is beautiful on its own.'
Instead, Louie recommends considering the 60-30-10 rule to ensure the space looks balanced. 'Keep the room at roughly 60% neutral, 30% supporting tones, and 10% accent (with the accent being your red),' he advises. 'A strong piece with plenty of breathing space lets the eye settle rather than ricochet around the room. Ceramics and smaller decorative pieces can then act as supporting players, but they work best as subtle echoes, not the main event.'
For a twist on this look, switch vibrant, cherry red for a more natural-leaning hue – earthy red is the shade that the designers are loving in 2026.
