An accent wall is a wall whose design differs from the design of the other walls in the room. The accent wall’s color can simply be a different shade of the color of the other walls, or have a completely different design in terms of the color and material. Accent walls can be a powerful design choice in your home. They break up the traditional look of having four walls that are painted the same color and draw your eye to a particular part of the room and they give you a chance to play around with color in your house in a new way. But while accent walls are definitely worth exploring, they have to be incorporated in a way that compliments the interior’s look, layout, and furniture. Let this guide help you implement beautiful accent walls that can improve the design and overall look of your home:
Pick the Right Wall
Despite what people may think, the first wall you see in a room isn’t always the ideal wall to accentuate. When deciding the best place for an accent wall, be mindful of the architectural aspects of your home, not just the wall that would benefit from a splash of color.
Rooms without a major architectural feature can benefit from an accent wall to create the appearance of a unique room structure. For example, an accent wall works great in a shared kitchen/dining area because it sets the dining area apart from the rest of the room. You may also be tempted to “frame” your beautiful French doors or large windows with an accent wall, but oftentimes this will only distract from your space instead of enhancing it. Light from windows will also make the accent color look dark or virtually invisible during the day.
If you have a set focal point in your space, it’s better to highlight that existing point of interest than create a brand new one. For example, if you have a fireplace, then the natural focal point is already present. You can make it stand out even more, however, by painting that specific wall a different color than the rest. That way you’ll be working with the focal point, not competing against it.
Plan Out ALL Four of Your Walls
Bold colors can be the perfect addition to an otherwise neutral room. As long as you choose accents to coordinate with your new color, you can pick any shade of paint that you like. If you are experienced in decorating with paint, accent walls can help you make quite a statement. For those who are new to design and not used to bold colors, adding an accent wall is a good place to start experimenting with new possibilities.
The first thing you need to do is ensure there is enough contrast, and that the colors will coordinate well. You don’t want your furniture pieces, wall art, and other decorations to clash with the wall color, or blend in and disappear on the new color background. Accents walls look most organic when they are darker than the other walls in the room, giving it a more classic look. Also, the color of the accent wall should harmonize with the adjacent wall color. When in doubt, paint your statement wall the same color, but two shades darker than the rest.
Think Outside of the Box
You are not limited to simple wall paint! Consider all of the options when decorating a wall, including patterns and even specialty paint finishes. Don’t forget that wallpaper is also a gorgeous choice for accent walls. The latest temporary wallpapers can give you a designer look without a long-term commitment. No matter what you decide, accent walls are supposed to be unique, so get creative!
Consider the Lighting of Your Room
Lighting in the room is another factor when choosing accent wall colors. If you have an accent wall facing the window, choose a color scheme with blues, greens, and other cool colors that can blend in seamlessly with natural light. Keeping natural light and lighting fixtures in perspective can help you choose brilliant and uplifting colors for your rooms needs.
Work with the Colors on Your Other Walls
Accent walls in an all-white room can be tricky but stunning. The contrast of a bright accent wall against white walls can look very modern and sometimes even stark. Balance your strong accent wall color with neutral wall colors on your other walls. If you do choose to accent a wall in a white room, soften the contrast with mid-tone accent colors to bridge the difference.
Your home is unique, so your accent wall should be just as special. Our team can help you create the perfect wall to bring a stylish accent to your space.
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