Creating an Accent Wall
Advice and Ideas
When accent walls became a trend a number of years ago, many thought they would be a passing fad. However, it seems like the fad is certainly here to stay with many of us reaping the benefits in our home interiors.
An accent wall is not only a great way to introduce more colour into a room without the room feeling overwhelmed, but it is also a way to play with visual depth – sometimes creating the appearance of more space than there actually is.
That said, there has to be some rules when it comes to painting an accent wall in your room. Here are some helpful pieces of advice to help you make all the right decisions…
1. Consider the size of the space
Contrary to what many might think, a dark feature wall in a small room can actually create the illusion of more space. A single back wall painted in a rich, dark grey, black or forest green will create a visual depth making the room feel larger and longer than it really is. Sticking to pale, neutrals such as powder pinks or powdery greys for the remainder of the colour scheme will keep the room feeling fresh and inviting against the darker hue.
When you have a larger room to decorate, or an open plan living area, accent walls can provide a useful décor tool here too. They can help divide up the space without the need for walls to be built or furniture to be placed strategically. Using accent colour, you can define different areas of your large room or separate a space that will be used for work, yoga, or play.
Which wall should you choose?
Choosing the right accent wall is a vital decision. A poor choice could cause the space to look out of proportion or just not right. You need to be confident that there’s a good reason to place an accent colour where you are, as there’s no doubt that attention will be drawn towards it.
Although there are no rules set in stone here, it pays off to consider all the elements of the room and how you will enter it, furnish it, and use it. In general, the best accent wall is usually the first one that you and your guests will see when entering the room, however, this doesn’t always need to be the case. Design features and architectural clues such as a fireplace, a sloping roof, or a large window could all play a part in deciding which wall to highlight. This will ensure that the accent wall is the intended focal point. Accent walls behind important pieces of furniture are also a great idea – think about the wall behind your bed or your sofa.
Ideally, the wall you choose should be symmetrical, so try to stay clear of walls that have a slope only on one side, or that house multiple windows of different heights or sizes.
Which colours should you choose?
Once you have decided on which wall will be home to your accent colour, it’s time to decide what that colour will be.
With accent wall colours, people generally approach them in two ways: subtly or not so subtly!
Even if you want to keep your room neutral-looking, an accent wall can still work. For example, with a neutral colour scheme, consider using a brown or tan as your accent colour against a surrounding shade of taupe or earthy beige. Most accent walls will look best when they adjoin walls in a light to medium shade. Accent walls in an all-white room can be very effective for a stark, modern feel if perfected, but are also very tricky to get just right. If you do choose an accent wall in a matt white painted room, you can look to soften the contrast with mid-tone accent colours in furniture and accessories to bridge the vast colour difference.
If a subtle approach isn't for you, then opt for a ‘pop’ accent colour: something contrasting and bold. Perhaps a tropical coral, a warm terracotta, or a moody blackcurrant. And, if you’re decorating a home office, or a workout space, then the sky’s the limit. You could select a matt colour shade that feels motivating and energising for you to keep your productivity at a constant high while in that space.
Our colour experts at V&CO are here to ensure you make all the right colour choices when it comes to your accent wall. Our exceptional Dead-Flat Matt shades are available in a range of rich and earthy colours – perfectly pigmented to create a striking and durable feature area in your home space.
