Which wall should be the accent wall? This is a question that comes up in every homeowner’s mind when they begin decorating their home. In this guide, I will share 9 pro tips for choosing the right accent wall, the right room, and the right wall.
These tips will help you decide whether you are working on an interior or exterior wall, but we find this guide to work best on interior projects. In this article, we will discuss ways to choose your colors, what architectural features you should consider and much more!
If you haven’t done so already, be sure to check out the guide we produced on the 25 best accent wall ideas. Whether you decorate a single wall or your whole house, there is a feature wall idea for you.
Which wall should be the accent wall?
The short answer would be the focal point of your room. This might seem obvious, but homeowners have yet to learn which wall is the natural focal point of a room. When you walk into a room, do you see the wall you see first, or what wall do you know when you pass the door opening? The wall you see first is typically the natural focal point of your room compared to the other walls.
Interior designers have a good eye for choosing the right accent wall idea and then furnishing the room to complement the wall. Since we are not the Saudi Royal Family having designers design one room may not be feasible, but you can still accomplish the same look! So before painting your room, let’s dive into the nine tips.
9 Pro Tips on Choosing The Right Wall
Tip 1: Choose the wall that naturally draws attention.
You should consider which wall in your room naturally draws your eye or, as mentioned above, is the focal point. This could be a wall with a fireplace built in or unique architectural features. This keeps the attention on one wall rather than two different walls.
Tip 2: Consider the purpose of your room.
Consider your room’s function and the mood you want to create. For example, are you designing an accent wall in a bedroom where you sleep? If so, consider a darker color, as this will create an environment that is easy for someone to fall asleep in.
A bold, vibrant accent wall might be perfect for a living room but may not be the best for a zen room where a calm and relaxing atmosphere is desired.
Tip 3: Think about your existing color scheme.
Look at the colors in your room, like furniture, curtains, and flooring. Choose an accent wall that complements or contrasts with these existing colors.
Now, if you decide to go a different route and plan on using different colors for your room, you can skip this step and move on to the next one.
Tip 4: Consider the size of your room.
If your room is small, choose a lighter color for the accent wall, this will make your room feel more spacious. In contrast, a larger room should use bold or darker colors; this will make the space feel more intimate.
If you have a long wall in your home, you want to add an accent wall to consider a neutral color. Choosing neutral tones will increase visual interest and highlight the decor in that particular room.
Tip 5: Use a color wheel.
Choosing the right color can be challenging, but a color wheel eliminates a lot of your confusion. If you are looking for a bold accent wall, just be mindful of which colors compliment your accent color.
One thing to keep in mind is your space. Dark color accent walls work best in bedroom and theater rooms, while vivid colors work well in rooms that receive a lot of natural light. Once you know what color your feature wall will be, you can decorate your room around that color using complementary colors. If you are still stuck on the paint color for an accent wall, neutral color walls always look good and are timeless.
Tip 6: The wall you chose should have symmetrical symmetry.
Avoid walls with windows of different sizes and walls with corner slopes. This can take away from your accent wall tremendously.
Tip 7: If you can, choose a solid wall.
Walls with doors, windows, and built in bookcases take your eyes away from your accent wall, especially a fireplace wall. You see trendy accent walls done on a fireplace wall, but the issue is people need to pay more attention to the accent wall and just look at the overall design.
Tip 7: Test your color choices
A good rule would be to have at least three color choices for your wall. By having different color options you give yourself the ability to figure out what looks good in that particular room. This accounts for the light, mood, and overall aesthetic of your space.
Tip 9: Make sure it complements the overall design of your room.
The goal of an accent wall is to draw attention to it and not take away from your space. Instead, the furniture in your room should flow with the paint color and style you chose for your accent wall.
If you find better ways to go than adding color to your wall, consider exposed brick instead. This gives your space an industrial feel but looks terrific in almost any room.
Key Considerations For Successfully Installing an Accent Wall.
Following these nine tips will have you thinking like a professional interior designer, but this is the beginning. Whether you are installing a slat wall or a board and batten accent wall, you need tools and a guide to help you along the wall.
You may think how hard it could be to choose a wall. There are four walls to choose from. That’s true, but sometimes you might have a fifth wall. What about your ceiling height? Did you consider your furniture? Factoring in these ideas will help you decide which wall should be the accent wall. Here is a list of questions you should ask before you begin the installation process.
- Do I want this to be permanent?
- Am I doing something trendy?
- Will this accent wall highlight or take away from this room?
Wrapping Up and My Experience With Accent Walls Accent
Now that you have the nine tips for choosing the right accent wall for your space go out there and create something unique. There are no right or wrong ways to design your home because it is yours, but I can help you make a better-informed decision on what makes the most sense for your space.
From solid walls to textured finishes, the possibilities are endless, and with Home Depot or Lowes being right around the corner, you have unlimited paint options to choose from. So you just have to decide what you want.
Now that you made it this far in the article, you should have an answer to your question, ‘Which wall should be the accent wall?’ If you still need clarification, drop by youtube or any of our other social media platforms to ask us questions.
If diy’ing an accent wall seems daunting, feel free to reach out to our company, Would Wood Work, for an estimate on your project. We service the greater Atlanta area here in Georgia. We would be happy to style your first accent wall.