Accent walls are a great way to spice up your room without making any major changes. Maybe you don’t want your bedroom to be all one color, but you are looking for a “pop” somewhere. Or maybe you want to add some shiplap behind the television in your living room, but not everywhere. Accent walls are the perfect solution for that! So let’s get into what an accent wall is and some great ideas to add one to your home!
What Is An Accent Wall
An accent wall is defined as a wall that an interior designer chooses that differs in style or color from the other surrounding walls. This is a great way to experiment with different colors, styles, textures, and materials, before fully committing and changing the room entirely. They offer a lot of flexibility in a room. If your favorite color is yellow but you don’t feel like painting all four of your walls yellow, an accent wall will do the trick for you.
Sounds amazing, right? Now let’s get into some inspiration for creating an accent wall in your home!
Go Bold
It’s only right to start our list off with something bold! If you are the type of person who always does neutral colors, this might be the choice for you! Pick a bold color, like a bright green or blue to give your room that extra pop. You can even opt for some peel-and-stick wallpaper! (Renter friendly option!) This would work especially well against white walls so that the color really makes a statement!
Just like the photo above, you could consider adding a gallery wall of family photos on your bold accent wall.
Bring Wood Inside
This wood wall doubles as an accent wall and a headboard behind the bed. It’s a great option if you have farmhouse-style home decor because it is a simple yet powerful design hack that will tie all your decor together.
Of course, adding frames above your bed is another great idea, but you can always choose to leave it blank and let the accent wall do all the talking! As seen in the photo above, they chose to add photos of wood and keep the theme going.
Go Brick Or Go Home
Whether it’s real or faux, a brick wall can amplify your space. Brick walls have been around for a long time, and are usually found in older homes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add one to your new build. The texture that the brick adds will make it an instant eye-catcher for anyone who enters. Consider adding your TV, a fireplace, or a gallery wall to your brick wall to create a focal point!
Add Shiplap
Shiplap has recently made a big comeback! Shiplap is basically a wooden board with grooves used when building sheds and such. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use them to decorate your home! They are simple enough not to distract from your other decor but they are still beautiful! In the photo above, they used the shiplap behind their television and fireplace.
Because it is an expensive way to revamp your space and give your room that rustic feel, many people tend to add it to certain areas of their homes. While most leave their shiplap white, don’t be afraid to experiment with other colors.
Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark
Speaking of the dark—black walls may seem intimidating, but trust us, they aren’t! While we don’t necessarily suggest adding them to smaller rooms (it won’t help make your space feel bigger) they can definitely help highlight the rest of your room’s features. Nothing shows off your wall decor and furnishings better than a dark wall backdrop.
There are many ways to decorate your dark walls, but one of our favorites is the use of contrasting pieces. You’ll want to style your space with pieces that will pop against your walls. In the photo above, the use of gold accessories such as the bed frame and picture frame (our Ashford frame style in Satin Gold). With the right accessories, you can create a finished and bold style for any room in your home.
Add A Color Block
Color blocking is defined as the use of contrasting blocks or panels of colors. The use of two different colors, whether they are neutral or bold, can create a striking look. Color blocks usually are used with bright and bold colors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use earthy tones or pastel colors as well. Remember what we always say — in home decor, there are no real rules, it only matters how you think it looks!
To add a color block in your room, try splitting the wall into two halves, painting the top a bright color, and keeping the bottom white (or vice versa), you could add two different colors together, one inside the other, or try something different and with a diagonal line down the center of your wall. The choice is completely up to you!
Fun Prints
When it comes to home decor, do whatever makes you happy — and fun prints are sure to make just about anyone happy! Creating an accent wall with a fun print is a great way to express your personality. Find a fun print that will bring you joy every time you walk into the room. Consider adding some watercolor paintings on your wall in our Ashford frame style in the color Hot Pink for an extra statement.
Paint It On
Another popular trend we’ve seen lately is people painting their accent walls. As seen in the photo above, they painted a blush-colored circle behind their bed. This not only creates an eye-catching accent wall but acts as a header to the bed as well. There are many different shapes, sizes, and colors that you can combine to make your wall stand out!
Why not paint an oval in your hallway and stand a mirror in front of it. It can easily take any mirror selfie to the next level.
If you have pets, why not paint a triangle behind their bed or water/food bowls. These things may not fit the aesthetic of your home, but adding a little accent piece to your wall can give definitely it some spice.
If you are an artist, why not paint a mural on your wall. It can be of the ocean, mountains, or any other personal interest of yours. If you are not an artist, you could do some research on artists in your area that would be able to create this for you.
Learn more about interior painting, including how to prep, paint, and clean like the pros!
Peel and Stick Wallpaper
Whether you are in a rental space or just like to change your decor up pretty often, peel and stick wallpaper is the way to go! They come in a ton of different colors, designs, and patterns to help transform your space with no damage left behind. It takes very little effort to create something amazing in your home and you can change it as often or as little as you would like!
Make A Grid
Another great accent wall idea is to create a grid wall. If you’re asking yourself “what is a grid wall?”, let us explain. It’s a pretty simple concept. A grid wall is the use of molding to create a raised design that goes on your wall to form, well, a grid. They form shapes, usually squares, all throughout the wall and can really give your walls some dimension.
There are many different designs to create on your wall using moldings. Consider a checkerboard, horizontal or vertical lines, or even just create unique designs such as zigzag or diagonal lines.
Mirrors
Mirrored wall decals are another great way to transform your space. They come in different shapes, styles, and sizes and are perfect for adding some color to your room. If you add them to a room that has large windows, the sunrise and sunset will be truly special reflecting off your mirrors.
Mirrors are also a great way to make any space appear larger. Mirrors can expand your walls, break up any clutter, and boost the light in your room. They trick the eye into thinking that the space is bigger than it actually is. So if you are decorating a smaller room in your home, consider using mirrored wall decals to create an accent wall.
Final Thoughts
Home decor is great because you get to do whatever it is you truly want in your home. Although there may be “rules” we say — break them! Rules are meant to be broken, sometimes 😉. An accent wall gives you the ability to express yourself and give your home an extra “pop”!
We hope you were inspired to create your own accent wall in your home. If you were, be sure to share photos with us on social media. And if you have an idea that wasn’t on this list, please share that with us, too!
