Choosing an Accent Wall to Transform Your Room
Looking to make your room pop without breaking the bank? Feature walls are an easy and inexpensive way to energize an otherwise neutral space. Whether you’re adding a splash of color to your living room or creating a headboard wall in your bedroom, painting an accent wall can make a big impact.
For a picture-perfect look, it’s important that you choose the right wall and a color that complements your space. Follow these accent wall design tips to decorate your home like a pro.
Which Wall Should Be the Accent Wall?
Your feature wall will be the focal point of the room. While every space is unique in size and shape, consider these general rules of thumb when choosing an accent wall.
In rectangular rooms, accent walls typically work best on shorter walls.
Consider choosing the wall facing the room’s entrance.
Avoid walls with windows or large furniture obstructions.
Select a wall that is well-lit with natural light, lamps or overhead track lighting.
When painting multiple feature walls, choose opposite walls for balance.
Choose the headboard wall in bedrooms to make the boldest statement.
Consider a wall with unique architectural detail like a fireplace or decorative trim.
How to Choose an Accent Wall Color
Unless you’re redecorating your room from top to bottom, choose a shade that fits your current color scheme. Pick up accent colors from your furniture, throw pillows and other accessories to pull the space together.
Also, consider the room’s purpose and how the color will impact the mood. Keep in mind that red hues generally bring energy to a space, great for kitchens or playrooms, while blue tones create a calming effect, perfect for bedrooms or dens.
To avoid overpowering your space, we recommend following the 60-30-10 wall color rule for balance. The majority of your room, 60 percent, should be a neutral backdrop. Your secondary color, 30 percent, can be applied to your accent wall, chairs, and draperies. And the remaining 10 percent is reserved for decorative accessories like throw pillows or art.
Take Your Accent Wall to the Next Level
To add more artistic flare to your space, consider incorporating an accent wall design or even multiple colors. Below are the most popular methods for unique accent walls.
Whether it’s a mandala, a floral design or an abstract pattern, stencils help to achieve a custom look with minimal effort.
Increasingly popular, ombré walls gradually blend shades of color from light to dark, creating a dreamy look perfect for bedrooms.
With a little bit of painter’s tape, you can create a contemporary, geometric pattern to wow your guests.
Using a sea sponge, dab a secondary color against the wall repeatedly to create a textured look.