Check any interior design magazine photo spread, and you will see one wall in almost every room looking different from the rest. Bold wallpaper, contrast color, open brickwork, stone or tiles, faux fireplace, wood panels, oversized or lots of wall art, a wall with quirky curtains, etc. –  these or something like this jazzing up the wall. This standout wall is called an accent or feature wall. 

Accent walls also happen to be one of the hottest and longest-staying room design trends. The best thing is that anyone can create a feature wall in their space easily. From big-bang budgets to minimal expenditures, there are feature wall ideas to suit every budget. All you need is some creative thinking.

So what exactly is a feature or an accent wall?

Simply put, an accent wall is a wall that appears different from other walls around it. This difference can be because of color, texture, shade, design, pattern, or material. An accent wall stands out, becomes the focal point of the place, and draws eyes toward it.

What is the big deal about a feature wall?

A feature wall adds interest to the interior. Just as a lustrous pearl necklace worn over a plain dress or a pair of enameled cufflinks on a plain shirt can make the wearer look sophisticated, a well-thought-out feature wall can lend any room a much-desired chic touch. Interestingly, interior designers often begin the room design by first conceptualizing a feature wall and then planning the rest of the room accordingly.

So, which wall should serve as an accent wall?

Most of the time, the first wall seen on entering a room is the most suitable one for an accent wall. But this isn’t a hard and fast rule. As a matter of fact, the only rule for an accent wall is that it should be visibly different from other walls around it. You can also choose a wall with interesting details like arches, windows, a fireplace, or built-in bookshelves to create your accent wall.

Next, some feature wall ideas to get you going

  • Paint one wall in a bold, solid, and contrasting color. This is perhaps the simplest way to get your accent wall. Red with ivory, turquoise with pale gray, charcoal with white – there are endless possibilities. You can also paint the ceiling in the same accent color. Do ensure that you have crown molding in place to create a neat differentiation between the wall and the ceiling.
  • Go monochrome and keep all the walls in the same color. To create an accent wall, just add architectural details or textured wallpaper in the same color. This creates an understated and elegant look.
  • Keep all the walls monochrome but stencil a pattern in a contrasting color on the feature wall. If stenciling seems too much work, just use inexpensive, peel-and-paste wall decals. 
  • Use a bold printed wallpaper to cover the accent wall. Let the other walls be subdued. You can also choose a metallic effect wallpaper.
  • If there are windows on your chosen wall, hang floor-to-ceiling custom curtains to create a beautiful frame-and-drape effect. You can also hang roman shades in rich fabrics like brocade or jacquard for a stunning look.
  • This one is a tad more expensive idea but definitely worth every penny. Add wainscotting on the lower half of the wall. Or, if you are adventurous, leave the lower half bare and put reversed wainscotting on the upper half. 
  • Hang a large mirror on the feature wall. This idea is especially worthy in a small room as it will open up the space visually and make the room look larger.
  • Covering one wall with exposed brickwork is a popular feature wall idea. This looks good in industrial, loft style, and minimalist décor styles. To get more ideas, you can view some loft conversion projects.
  • Hang an extra large artwork – canvas or tapestry – in the center of the feature wall. Carry forward its color palette in the curtains or the floor rug.
  • Another possibility is to hang a really oversized wall clock on the feature wall. Choose one that doesn’t merge into its backdrop but stands out on the wall. 
  • Create a gallery wall of paintings, prints, and/or photographs. Memory wall or artistic expression, personalize your feature wall to showcase your individuality.

What not to do with a feature wall?

  • Don’t create two feature walls in one room. It will simply look unbalanced and overdone.
  • While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to feature walls, experts suggest following the 60:30:10 rule if you aren’t quite sure of how to go about choosing the right balance of colors. Simply put, 60% of the room should be in the dominant color (not the accent color we emphasize). 30% of the room should be in the secondary color. The remaining 10% should be in the accent color. And this 10% should include the accent wall too.  

Now start creating accent walls in your home and see the rooms bloom.