Design Tips: Accent Walls
Renovating a Room With Just a Little Bit of Work
by Alyssa Sprague
Accent walls have become an increasingly popular way to give your home a unique and personal touch. And they can be designed to renovate any space or style. The walls can range from varying levels of difficulty as well, making it a perfect homeowner DIY project that elevates a room to a more upscale feel that fits into any budget. The designs homeowners use can be individually tailored from subtle to bold. So, if you are not quite ready to take a big leap, you can always start small and add into it as your style changes!
The easiest way to add an accent wall is as simple as applying a coat of paint. Paint one wall in a room a different color and consider using a different finish on the paint to really make it stand out. This color can be just a couple shades darker (or lighter) than the remaining walls in the room. Or you can go as far as using a bright bold color like yellow to brighten the space and make the room feel bigger. Since an accent wall is meant to be different, consider using a dark color like navy blue or black on a single wall. When combined with lighter colors through the rest of the room, a dark accent wall can add depth without overpowering the entire room.
While wallpapering your entire home (or a whole room) is definitely a thing of the past, homeowners have been impressed by the ability of a single wall of wallpaper used as an accent wall. The right wallpaper will give a space a more interesting design without having to fill the wall with décor. Especially with a temporary wallpaper (no long-term commitment) that can be easily removed, this is a huge opportunity to add in personal touches with a design that could be subtle or quirky—completely dependent on your personality!
If you are looking to take on a bigger project, there are many ways to personally design and create an accent wall using varying wood materials— reclaimed wood, shiplap, or even using 1″x2″s to give a textured design without using paneling. While this will be more time consuming, with additional planning the final product is more than worthwhile. This type of project also allows for many pattern options: square/rectangle, herringbone, or even any pattern you create yourself! The wood design will naturally add more texture to the wall and painting it semi-gloss white can give it the same feel as upgraded chair rail or wainscoting. You can also consider painting this designed wall a bold color! When combined with a bold color, the wall will really pop and have a more glamorous outcome.
Overall, adding an accent wall to your space can completely renovate the room with just a little bit of work! This will make the room have more dimension—whether it be your bedroom, living room, or dining room. The possibilities are endless!
