Accent walls are an easy and cost-effective way to transform the appearance of your home, but it can be difficult to decide exactly where you want to place your accent wall, and how best to utilize the space you’ve reserved for it. We’ll explore some common tips when it comes to accent walls:

Choosing Your Wall

Choosing a wall for your accent wall doesn’t have to be difficult. It really comes down to what you want the accent wall to do for the space you’re putting it in. Let’s take a look at some common areas for accent walls:

Bedrooms: Walls behind the bed are a popular choice for accent walls in a bedroom. An accent wall here can give a headboard effect or amplify the appearance of the headboard you already have.

Built-In Shelving: Just because it’s called an accent wall doesn’t mean it has to be flat! Try adding an accent wall to your built-in shelving with some colour to make your items stand out more.

Narrow Walls: Painting a small wall at the end of a narrow room can help to make the space feel more open. This is an excellent choice for small kitchens and bathrooms.

Choosing a Colour

If you’re planning to add an accent wall to an existing space with furnishings, chances are you already have some ideas on the potential colour you want to go with for your accent wall. The trick is to compliment, but not to match. Pick a colour that will contract nicely with your furniture, or find a detail in patterned curtains to help inspire you. Let’s explore some popular colour options:

Warm Colours: Warm colours tend to bring walls in and make spaces feel more cozy. Cooler tones on the other hand help to open up spaces, especially deep blues and burgundies which help to add depth to smaller rooms.

Bright Colours: Brighter colours such as yellows and pinks can help energize a room. These colours are best used for a game room or a hallway to really help amplify the energy of the room. If you’re looking to add an accent wall to your kitchen, yellows and reds have been shown to trigger hunger, which works great for the dinner table!

Soft Tones: Soft tones line cool greys and sea foam colours create soothing environments. These are best suited for bedrooms and bathrooms.

Accent Wall Patterns

Adding a pattern to your accent wall opens up endless possibilities for creativity. Here are a few starting points when it comes to selecting a pattern for your accent wall:

Stripes: Horizontal stripes can help a wall look longer, while vertical stripes can add height to a room. Strips can be uniform or varied to give it a more textured look. Thicker stripes add an expansive visual effect to the room, while narrower stripes add interest and depth to a room.

Geometric Patterns: Geometric patterns can add a modern twist or more of a retro flare to a room, depending on the pattern. For especially narrow lines or highly intricate patterns, consider wallpaper, but for thicker geometrics, a professional paint job is your best bet.

Organic Patterns: When it comes to organic patterns like florals, wallpaper is your best bet. Patterned wallpaper is seeing a major revival in home decor trends and can provide a new level of aesthetics to your room.

Whether you’re looking to open up a room, or add a focal point, a well-done accent wall is an easy way to make a big difference on a smaller budget.