An accent wall can transform a room, but the options out there can be overwhelming. We've rounded up a few ideas to get you started.
15 Amazing Accent Wall Ideas To Liven Up Your Rooms
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Create With Paint
Sure, you could just slap one bold color on an accent wall and call it a day—but why would you when there’s so much more you can do with paint? Stripes, circles, chevrons or herringbone are all on-point style choices. All you need to create an amazing accent wall is paint, painter’s tape, a pencil and a level.
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Work With What You’ve Got
Before deciding what should be your accent wall, look at the architectural elements of your home. If you’ve got a fireplace, you already have an accent wall. All you need to do is dress it up. Color, paneling, stonework or built-in bookcases are all great ways to draw attention to an existing focal point.
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Display Your Photos
Say hello to all those photos you’ve been storing on your hard drive or phone. A photo collage wall is a perfect way to share and relive your cherished memories while creating an enviable accent wall. To keep your collage from looking dated, choose two or three colors of frames that complement each other and mix texture and size. Lay your frames out on the floor and arrange until you’re happy, then replicate the arrangement on the wall.
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Build a Showcase Wall
This built-in entertainment center mixes architectural simplicity with a pop of color to make it stand out. This accent wall does double duty; it’s both a beautiful feature in the room and a fantastic storage option. It’ll take a bit more work than some of the other ideas on this list but it’s well worth the time and resources.
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Patchwork
Yup, you read that right. Fabric can make a fresh and funky accent wall for a reasonable price. Simply pick a selection of coordinating fabrics and wrap them around sturdy cardboard or very thin wood or plastic squares. Affix the squares to the wall in a pleasing pattern with double-sided mounting tape.
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Add Warmth With Wood
From sleek to rustic, wood is a perfect accent wall material because it instantly warms up any space. Be sure to paint the remaining walls in your room a color that carries the same undertone as the wood for a unified look.
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Display Your Heirlooms
If you’ve been wondering what to do with Grandma’s old china that just sits in a box, this is it. Platters, silver and china dishes of all shapes, sizes and colors can create a unique accent wall. Dining rooms and kitchens are natural places for this look, but it can work in any area of your home.
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Don’t Forget Wallpaper
Another classic that’s making a big comeback is wallpaper. With the advent of easy to apply, and even easier to remove wallpaper, you can create an accent wall without the long-term commitment. The key here is to keep it to one wall only, to avoid feeling closed in.
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Stunning Stone
For the intermediate do-it-yourself handyperson, this stunning stone accent wall is a perfect project. The look of exterior stone veneer in an indoor space complements industrial, cottage or rustic decor and the beauty speaks for itself.
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A Window to the World
For wannabe world travelers or nature lovers, an accent-wall mural is a high-impact choice. They are easy to install and a guaranteed home-run for adventure-loving kids’ rooms. Be sure to decorate the rest of the room with one or two of the colors in the mural to make the room feel cohesive.
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Natural Brick
Exposed brick has long been a coveted accent wall material in old buildings and lofts. The great news is, brick veneer has come a long way and is available in almost any style from modern to antique for a fraction of the price of the real thing.
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Stick-On Style
If wallpaper is not quite your style, consider decals instead. Quotes, trees, and cityscapes dominate this easy and inexpensive decor choice. With literally thousands of options to choose from, as well as custom options, you’re sure to find something that speaks to your style.
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Go Big with Your Art
A substantial piece of art can speak for itself as an accent wall. Look for large canvases with depth and colors to match your furniture and decor. Or, if you’re an artist yourself, consider creating your own piece to hang on the wall instead.
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Tile Time
Once relegated to work spaces and bathrooms, tile can accent almost any wall due to the plethora of styles and sizes now available. In a kitchen, you can create an incredible focal point by adding a distinct backsplash along one wall that stretches all the way to the ceiling.
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Paneled Panache
With a few strips of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and very little money, you can create an elegant and restful accent wall for your bedroom. This treatment adds a luxurious element to your space and is the perfect backdrop to your headboard.
FAQ
What is an accent wall, and why should I create one in my home?
Rachel Brougham writes, “An accent wall will become the focal point of a room; drawing the eye, adding dimension, and creating a stunning backdrop for the rest of your decor.” Simply put, an accent wall is a single wall in a room that is treated differently from the other walls. It can be used in any room, and is often done on the most visible wall when looking or walking into the room. Accent walls can be created by using a different color, texture, a combination of the two, or really anything that makes the wall stand out from the others.
How do I choose the right wall for an accent design?
When choosing which wall should be your accent wall, consider which wall is most visible when entering or looking into the room, which wall receives the most light, and furniture placement. You may want to create an accent wall on a wall that’s otherwise blank or it may fit the room better to make the wall that will be looked at the most (for instance the mirror wall in a bathroom) the accent wall.
How do I add a personal touch to my accent wall?
Evelina Juzėnaitė, principal interior designer at Planner 5D, suggests adding a personal touch to your accent wall by displaying items you love. “Add a personal touch to accent walls by showcasing your personal collections, whether they be photos, souvenirs from your travels, LEGO pictures, collectible paintings, or hats,” she says.
If you don’t want to get too personal, “You can also show a feature of a style that you really like,” she adds. “For example, if you like nautical style, design the wall in that style, or if you like boho, that’s also a great choice for an accent wall.”
Lastly, she points out that DIYing your accent wall is in itself a personal touch.
Are there any accent wall trends I should avoid?
As with any design decisions, accent walls should complement the rest of your style choices and overall decor. Choose colors and/or textures that feel classic and timeless, and most importantly, that you love. This way, you aren’t simply following a trend, but including elements in your home that make it feel more like you — and that never goes out of style.
How do I combine function and style on my accent wall?
There are many ways to combine function and style on an accent wall. Juzėnaitė mentions a few. “Built-in shelves are great for combining function and style in accent walls,” she offers. In addition, “Walls with a perforated panel are also interesting in an accent wall,” she says, underlining the storage opportunities a peg board can provide. Chalkboard walls or magnetic walls can double as message centers for the household, and “panel walls can be just decor, but they can also hide a lot of things, such as wires, meters, etc.,” she says.
About the expert
Evelina Juzėnaitė is a principal interior designer at Planner 5D, a home design platform that uses AI to enhance the design experience and empower users to create their dream homes. She provides clients with an intuitive and efficient design journey, from concept to completion.
