Accent Wall Ideas + Paint Tips

What Is an Accent Wall?

An accent wall is any wall in a home that is singled out, whether through a different paint color, wall art, wallpaper or structural beams. Accent walls are one of the simplest ways to make a space feel brand new, and they also allow you to infuse your personality. Make an accent wall as playful as you wish; choose a paint color that was a childhood favorite or a wallpaper print of flowers, stripes or polka dots! Other ideas for accent walls include wall-to-wall shelving (try layers of floating wall shelves, one on top of the other); scenic wall mural decals; and large tapestries or hanging quilts for a softer aesthetic. Finally, consider furniture; a grand, large buffet, desk with hutch or tall bookcase each make the walls behind them stand out (and can in and of themselves be considered as accent wall pieces).

Accent Wall Tip: Find the Right Wall. Before starting on a DIY accent wall project, you’ll need to choose the right wall. This should be one that’s already naturally featured in the room. Consider: a) a wall with the biggest furniture piece (such as a sofa or bed), b) the biggest or widest wall in a room, or c) a wall that naturally stands out due to a slant or arched ceiling edge.

What Color Accent Wall Goes with Grey?

Accent Wall Tip: Create a Vision Board. Psst – have you heard about vision boards? Whether you’re working on an accent wall, vacation wardrobe or birthday celebration, vision boards help you know your vision and bring it to life. Try an online website host like Pinterest and get started keeping your favorite images. Anything and everything that inspires you (no matter if it has to do with the current project) belongs on a vision board. (Does a blue unicorn make you smile? Add it to the vision board. In some shape or another, it will come back and influence your accent wall or other project, even if just by helping you narrow down a blue color!)

Accent Wall Tip: Go Darker. An accent wall is often not going to be the only painted wall in your room. If all your walls are already painted (albeit in a neutral, subtle wall color), work this to your advantage by painting one of them over – in a darker shade from the rest. A popular example in modern homes? Three light grey walls + one charcoal wall.

Painting an Accent Wall

Accent Wall Tip: Add Lighting. After all the hard work you’ll have put into a new accent wall, you’ll want to showcase it! Install wall sconces on either side of the wall. At night, turn them on – and enjoy how the light splays across the color to make it more prominent. Other lighting designs to complement an accent wall can include hanging pendants, chandeliers, floor lamps and string lights. And during the day, remember to throw back the shades!