Jemma Castillo
The purpose of an accent wall is to draw visual attention and they’re often used as the focal point in a room. Rest assured, accent walls are still thriving in the decorating industry, and we don’t see them waning in popularity any time soon. While there aren’t any hard and fast rules you need to abide by, there are things you should consider when making the decision.
Putting an accent wall behind the dining room table, for example, can make the area look distinct. Generally speaking, if there’s not a specific wall that’s calling out to you, you’ll want to choose one that’s relatively solid with limited windows and doors. While you may think you want to highlight a large picture window, for example, accent colors can sometimes distract from beautiful views rather than accentuating them, and natural lighting can alter the way a paint color shows up on the wall.
One of the reasons accent walls withstand the test of time is that you can very quickly and easily adapt the idea to your own personal style and tastes. If you’re designing a painted accent wall, you’ll want to choose a color that complements the other walls in the room, as well as the color palette you’ve chosen for your furniture and home décor.
Choose from fun geometric patterns, stripes, natural patterns, or other bold wallpaper choices that will draw attention to the wall and add a pop of fun to your room. One way to draw visual attention to your accent wall is by covering it in a material like brick, tiles, or shiplap. Using a different material for an accent wall creates texture and visual interest in the room. Depending on which material you use, you still have an option for bold colors and patterns or something more subtle.
Hoping to create an accent wall that incorporates some of the latest interior design trends? Wooden panel accent walls have been gaining in popularity, and they work great if you’re looking for some rustic farmhouse charm for your home.
You might, for example, have a large brick accent wall with a piece of oversized abstract art.
Hanging mirrors directly across from windows and lighting fixtures, for example, can add more natural light to the room and create the illusion of space, making the room feel airy and open.
Perhaps the most ambitious of the accent wall ideas we’re proposing, painting a mural on an accent wall is a fun way to showcase your personality and create a statement piece that will certainly get your guests talking. For many, an accent wall is a great way to give a splash of bold color you wouldn’t feel comfortable painting the whole room in.
They can also seamlessly camouflage dark TV screens and computer monitors, making them a great option for decorating a living room or home office. Whether you choose a bright blue, red, orange, or yellow, make sure to incorporate some neutrals into your color scheme so the accent wall really pops. Especially if you’re decorating in the transitional style, you may want to avoid dark and boldly colored walls in favor of something a bit more neutral.
Choosing a soft-hued color in a relatively neutral shade can still create a light contrast that can add depth to your room.
When creating an accent wall, different rooms in the house offer different opportunities. One of our favorite living room accent wall ideas involves segmenting off a space.
Because open floor plans have become so popular, we’ve found that the right accent wall can help break up a large, open living room, and create an area that feels unique and contained. Find ways to highlight the architectural features of the room while also adding texture and depth. If you do a painted accent wall, for example, you’ll want to make sure to choose a hue that will flow through adjoining rooms. We love the idea of placing a bold accent wall behind the desk to highlight the space. Red, blue, yellow, and green have been shown to boost productivity, making them the perfect color for a home office.
