How To Choose The Accent Wall?

Wallpapering multiple accent walls is a perfect way to bring some personality, eye-catching pop of color and fun in the space. It gives you the opportunity to get creative and choose a bold design wallpaper, as covering only one wall with a dazzling, gorgeous colorful statement wallpaper or accent color will not have a risk of making it overwhelming as wallpapering or painting all of the walls in the same color might. But the question might be - which wall to choose as the feature wall? To help you with styling accent walls, here will be some tips to consider before you decide on the perfect color or the perfect accent wall design.

A room that might have multiple unique architectural features or already existing architectural features such as a statement gorgeous floor to ceiling bookshelf, exposed brick, fireplace, paneling, gallery wall or beautiful statement mantel can make the decision of choosing the accent wall difficult. The reason behind it is that all of these features already are very eye-catching, accentuating them, therefore the accent wall might lose its purpose in the room. If the architectural features are in a neutral color palette, then wallpapering the wall can be a beautiful solution, however, picking a room that is more plain, will make the right wall shine more.

Walls with obstacles, that is windows or doors, do not make the right choice for accent walls as it will break the focal point of the accents and make it look slightly confusing and will loose the harmony of the living spaces. A solid wall with no obstacles that can be behind a sofa, a bed in a small bedroom even, a desk tend to be the best choices for an accent wall as it will bring out the full potential of the accent walls design.

The Fifth Wall

Choose A Wall In A Neutral Setting

Too many accent walls can create an overwhelming feeling in the interior. Choosing a wall in a room that has more neutral furnishings and decor will bring more interest to the accent wall and accentuate it and not split the focus on multiple statement pieces. Select a wall that receives a good amount of natural light. This can help highlight the accent without making the space feel dark. As for the right color - choose a color that complements the existing paint colors that is your neutral palette of the room. If your room has a lot of whites or beiges, a darker color, like a blue accent wall or even navy blue; green, or a warm terracotta can work well. However, for your wallpaper choice - choose a subtle pattern for a sophisticated look that will add texture and pattern.

Be Mindful With The Furnishings

It is very common to have a bed, a table in the dining room or a sofa in front of the accent walls, but having too much decor or furniture in front of it can hide all of its beauty and the overall created eye-catching, statement element. Therefore, keeping it minimalistic without too much going on in front of the accent wall, can be the right way to let the design shine. Also, do not go all out with the room's decor, as it will all look too crowded with the walls already being existing focal points.

Pick A Wall That You Look At Frequently

Choosing a wall that you do look most frequently at when you are in the room will only please your eyes more after covering it with decorative paper. As you will be spending time and putting in effort to create the beautiful picture perfect statement walls, it is a wise decision to choose a wall that you will look at the most to enjoy the results more often.

Should An Accent Wall Be In A Small Or Large Room?

Choosing where to place your own accent wall depends on various factors, including the size of the room, the room’s function, and the overall design goals. Here are some considerations for both small and large rooms creating visual interest with accent walls:

Small Rooms:

1. Create a Focal Point: An accent wall in a small room can help create a focal point, drawing attention to a specific area and making the space feel more dynamic.

2. Depth and Dimension: A well-chosen accent wall can give the illusion of more depth, making the room appear larger than it is.

3. Avoid Overwhelm: It’s important to select a wall that won’t overwhelm the space. Typically, the wall behind the bed, sofa, or a primary piece of furniture works well.

4. Color and Pattern: Opt for lighter accent wall colors or subtle prints to avoid making the space feel cramped. Darker shades can work but should be used with caution.

Large Rooms:

1. Define Spaces: In a large room, an accent wall can help define different areas or functions within the space, such as a dining area within a living room.

2. Add Warmth and Interest: Large rooms can sometimes feel too open or sparse. An accent wall can add warmth, texture, and interest to break up the space.

3. Bolder Choices: In a larger room, you can experiment with bolder colors, prints, or textures without overwhelming the space.

4. Balance: Ensure the accent wall is balanced with the rest of the room. It should complement other design elements and not feel out of place.

Ultimately, an accent wall can work well in both small and large rooms if done thoughtfully. The key is to enhance the room's features and create a harmonious design.

How Does An Accent Wall Affect The Perception Of Room Size?

An accent wall can be a powerful design tool to manipulate the perception of room size. By carefully selecting the color and pattern for your accent walls, you can make a small space feel larger or a large space feel cozier, while also enhancing the room’s overall aesthetic and functionality. For example, by highlighting one area, an accent wall can make a room feel more organized and less cluttered, which can give the impression of more space. Dark colors on an accent wall can make it feel closer, potentially changing the room dynamics and making it feel small. This effect can be desirable in overly large rooms that need the balance. However, bold patterns can sometimes overwhelm a small room, making it feel more confined. Lastly, accent walls work well to border different zones or areas within an open floor plan. For example, an accent wall can visually separate a living room from a dining area.There are many other ways an accent wall can influence how large or small a room feels based on the choices, therefore you have to process your ideas and go with something you prefer in your own desirable space.

What Are Some Common Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing An Accent Wall?

When choosing an accent wall, there are several common mistakes that can detract from the desired effect. Here are some key pitfalls to avoid:

1. Wrong Area Selection - Avoid selecting a wall that doesn't naturally draw attention. Ideal choices are often walls with significant features such as fireplaces, headboards, or large windows.

2. Poor Color Choice - Ensure the accent colors complements the existing color scheme. Clashing colors can make a space fell chaotic. Extremely bold colors; the wrong vibrant hue colors in small rooms can be overwhelming. Opt for softer hues, light colors that enhance the space without dominating it.

3. Overwhelming Patterns and Textures - Large, intricate prints can overwhelm a space, particularly in small rooms, creating a boxy room. Importantly, subtle prints or textures often work better. Also, vertical stripes can add interest to a short wall, creating a larger wall illusion.

4. Ignoring Room Proportions and Lighting - Consider the size of the room. Large rooms can handle bolder colors and patterns, while smaller rooms may need lighter colors to avoid feeling cramped.

5. Overuse of Accent Walls - Using accent walls in every room or multiple walls in one room can be overwhelming. Stick to one eye catching accent per space to maintain impact.

6. Neglecting Furniture and Décor Coordination - Ensure the accent color and design coordinate with the room’s furniture and décor, as well as fabrics used in the space. A mismatch can make everything look out of place.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create an accent that enhances your room’s aesthetics and functionality, adding visual interest without overwhelming the space.

How Do I Test If A Wall Will Work As An Accent?

Testing if a wall will work as an accent wall involves a few practical steps to visualize and evaluate its potential impact. Take a look at these ideas on how to choose accent walls in your space:

1. Evaluate the Room Layout - Look for walls that already draw attention, such as those with fireplaces, large windows, or headboards. Ensure the wall doesn’t compete with major furniture pieces but rather enhances their presence.

2. Consider Lighting - Observe how natural light hits the wall throughout the day. A well-lit space can handle bolder colors, more dark color shades, while a dimly lit room might benefit from lighter shades, neutrals.

3. Use Painter’s Tape - Use painter’s tape to outline the section of the wall you’re considering for the accent. This gives a visual boundary and helps imagine the space. If considering patterns, use tape to mock up stripes, grids, or other designs to get a sense of scale and proportion.

4. Test Paint or Wallpaper Samples - Use peel and stick wallpaper samples to test patterns and textures. These can be easily removed and repositioned.

5. Get Feedback - Ask friends or family for their input. Sometimes a fresh perspective can highlight aspects you might have missed.

By following these steps, you can confidently test and evaluate whether a wall will work as an accent wall, ensuring it enhances the room’s aesthetics and meets your design goals.

Additional Tips

Consider additional decor - matching your statement accent wall with beautiful existing decor in your space can enhance the overall look of the room. Every detail matters, and including even small decors in the interior design can sometimes make all the difference.

We hope these tips of choosing the wall for accent wall will provide the needed help to make the right choice and add a beautiful and modern but cozy statement design element in the interior, which will enhance focal points to the right areas that are your accent walls of choice!