Accent Walls: Do’s and Don’ts

How to use accent walls to create focal points without overwhelming the room.

Introduction

Accent walls have been a staple of interior design for decades, but they’ve evolved. Gone are the days of simply painting one random wall bright red and calling it a day. Today’s accent walls are thoughtful, strategic, and used to highlight the architectural features of a home.

When done right, an accent wall can anchor a room, define a living space, and add much-needed depth. When done wrong, it can make a room feel disjointed or unfinished.

Here is your cheat sheet for getting it right.

The “Do’s” of Accent Walls

1. DO Choose the Right Wall

The most common mistake is picking the wrong wall. Your accent wall should be the natural focal point of the room.

In the living room: It’s usually the wall with the fireplace or the TV.
In the bedroom: It’s the wall behind the headboard.
In a long room: It’s the furthest short wall, which can help visually “square off” the space.

2. DO Consider Texture

Paint is great, but texture is better. Consider using shiplap, board and batten, or even a high-quality wallpaper. A dark charcoal wall looks infinitely more expensive when it has the shadow lines of wood paneling behind it.

3. DO Go Bold

If you’re going to do it, do it. An accent wall that is just two shades darker than the other walls often looks like a mistake—like you ran out of paint. Contrast is your friend here. Deep navies, forest greens, and charcoal blacks create drama that lighter shades can’t match.

Try: Naval SW 6244, Pewter Green SW 6208, or Iron Ore SW 7069.

The “Don’ts” of Accent Walls

1. DON’T Ignore the Other Walls

Your accent color doesn’t live in a vacuum. It needs to talk to the rest of the room. If you paint a wall navy blue, bring that blue into the room with throw pillows, a rug, or artwork on the opposite wall. This creates a sense of balance.

2. DON’T Cut a Room in Half

Avoid accent walls in small, square rooms where you can see all four corners at once. It can make the room feel boxy and smaller than it is. In these cases, you’re often better off painting all four walls a rich, moody color (a technique called “color drenching”).

3. DON’T Forget the Lighting

A dark accent wall will absorb light. If you pick a wall that has no windows and no lamps, it will just look like a black hole. Make sure your feature wall has sconces, picture lights, or natural light hitting it to show off the color.

Conclusion

Accent walls are one of the lowest-risk, highest-reward design moves you can make. They allow you to experiment with bold colors without committing to an entire room.

Not sure which wall to pick? Canvas Home Painting can help. Our design experts can walk through your home and identify the perfect spot for a feature wall that elevates your space.