Accent Walls: Everything You Need to Know

1) What is an accent wall

An accent wall is a single wall in a space that's different from those around it. This can mean a varying color, pattern, or texture, to name a few. Additionally, it may be inside or outside of a home. For example, below is our Miami Springs mural, designed by Elissa Passino, used as an accent in this bedroom.

2) How to make an accent wall work

Now that we've established what an accent wall is, let's get into how to incorporate it into your space. Deciding what your accent wall will look like depends heavily on two things: the aesthetic and goals of your space.

3) Understanding your space

Take a look around the room and note its layout, colors, and size. Do you want to make the room look bigger? Brighter? Rounder? Let that answer steer you in the right direction. It's important to remember that accent walls are meant to contrast the adjacent surfaces. Since the color or pattern will only be on one wall, this attention-grabbing accent will ultimately end up being the room's focal point. So we suggest choosing an accent wall that you want to be the room's focal point. Good example might be the wall behind a living room's seating area or a nursery's changing spot. However, each space is different and accents may work in unique places.

4) Choosing the right color and pattern

Note the color scheme of your room. Keep in mind that the accent wall can be bolder or brighter than usual, since it'll only be installed on one wall. However, it should still complement the space and the other colors in it. Decide the feeling you want to evoke. Softer colors can make a room feel more calm and relaxing, while bright colors feel more carefree and fun. Different tones can also alter the size appearance of a room, with brighter colors lifting and opening a space and darker ones making a room feel smaller and more intimate. If your walls have dents or marks that you wish to hide, choosing a textured wallpaper would do this for you. Above is our Trop design printed on textured grasscloth.

5) Ideas

It may be hard to see yourself putting wild patterns on a wall in your space, but it is far less intimidating than it sounds. A pattern like our Hourglass design in Denim done in collaboration with Jeff Andrews, would be perfect for a room in need of an interesting touch or a more intimate feel and would perfectly complement a neutral space. Our Vitrolite design in Porcelain would have the opposite effect, opening up a room with its light colors and argyle print that instantly catches the eye. Whatever your choice may be, keep in mind complementary colors and the shape of your room.