Buzz
A wall that stands out with bold colors can give your room a fresh and unique look. This wall will serve as the central focus of the room, so choosing the right one is key. If your room has features like a fireplace, a wall-mounted bookshelf, or any other element you wish to highlight, you can use the accent wall to draw attention to it. Consider the room's intended use, the atmosphere you want to create, and the current color scheme before deciding on a paint color. When you're ready to decorate the wall, apply two coats of paint for the best result.
Steps
Select the Right Wall
Find the Room's Natural Focal Point. The focal point of a room doesn’t necessarily have to be the first wall you see when entering. Look for a wall that stands out because of something interesting or unique about it. For instance, in a room with a fireplace, make the wall with the fireplace the accent wall. If there's a wall-mounted bookshelf, an unusual alcove, baseboard, or any distinctive architectural feature, highlight those elements.
- In the bedroom, the wall behind the headboard is usually a good choice for an accent wall.
- If the room features a standout sofa, a striking painting, or an exceptional piece of artwork, choose the wall behind it to highlight.
Create a focal point if your room lacks one. Think about how you want to decorate your space and what furniture pieces you’ll need. This way, you can use those elements and an accent wall to create a focal point in the room. If it’s a brand new room with no furniture yet, the accent wall will set the tone for the entire space, so keep that in mind.
- For instance, if you have a framed family photo collection you want to display, consider hanging them against the accent wall to showcase them.
- Beautiful indoor plants can also serve as a focal point. If you have a unique plant or plan to buy one from a nursery, draw attention to it with the accent wall as a backdrop.
Choose a wall without windows or doors. Solid walls without openings, such as windows and doorways, are the best candidates for an accent wall. A wall with large windows offering a beautiful view outside might not be ideal for this purpose, as the accent color could distract rather than enhance the space. Natural light streaming through windows can also alter the wall’s paint color in a way you may not like.
- This is not a strict rule, so if you prefer to make a wall with windows or a door your accent wall, feel free to do so.
Opt for the shorter wall at the far end of a long room. In long, narrow rooms, avoid choosing the two long walls. Bold colors will make these walls appear even longer, which can throw off the room’s balance. Instead, opt for the shorter wall at the far end to create the illusion of closeness, helping to bring balance to the space. In general, this approach makes the room feel more symmetrical.
- Feel free to ignore this advice if you’re not concerned with proportions or if you want to emphasize the length of the room. This is just a basic guideline. You have complete creative freedom, so feel free to break any "rules" if you like.
Choosing the color of the wall
Choose muted colors over bright ones to withstand the test of time. Vibrant, bold colors are perfect for accent walls, but if you’re considering something as daring as a fiery red, think carefully before you paint. This is especially true if the color you’re considering is currently trendy. Trends come and go, and in the long run, you might find yourself more satisfied with a more neutral tone.
- Colors like bright purple or aqua blue don’t necessarily need to be avoided! If you like bold or unusual colors, go ahead and paint with those, but consider choosing a slightly subdued shade.
- If you don’t mind repainting the wall when you get tired of the color, go ahead and experiment. However, if you want to avoid repainting within the next 1-2 years, it’s better to choose a more muted tone.
Consider the purpose of the room and the atmosphere you want to create. Every color conveys a different energy, and this can have a significant impact on how some people feel. For example, in a bedroom, a red wall may be too intense or even make it hard to sleep. A softer color like sky blue is still vibrant but can offer a more tranquil feel.
- If you're designing a room intended for energy, like a workspace or entertainment room, bright colors like lemon yellow or lime green will work wonders. For a bathroom, a softer hue like seafoam green is ideal.
- The temperature of colors plays a big role as well. Warm tones like red and orange create one atmosphere, while cool tones like green, blue, and purple bring a completely different vibe.
Choose a darker color than the other walls in the room. Darker tones will contrast nicely with lighter walls and naturally draw attention to the accent wall, which is exactly what you want. A great rule of thumb is to paint the accent wall in the same color as the other walls, but in a shade two tones darker. If you're not aiming for bold color choices or layouts, this is a safe option.
- However, you don’t have to follow this rule. A lighter accent wall in a darker room can also be interesting, though it’s a bit riskier. When the focal point of the room is brighter than the surrounding walls, the room may appear unbalanced or disorienting.
Choose a color that complements the room's color scheme. This may sound obvious, but it’s extremely important! The accent wall should blend with the overall room layout, and the best way to achieve this is by selecting a color that fits within the current color palette of the room. Secondary colors (rather than primary ones) often work wonderfully for an accent wall.
- For example, the colors of throw pillows or fabric patterns on a sofa are great inspiration. A color commonly featured in wall art can also be an excellent choice.
- If your room is decorated with a navy blue settee, dark green striped cushions, navy blue curtains, and a small green rug, consider using a shade of green for the accent wall.
Sam Adams
Owner, Cherry Design + Build
Owner, Cherry Design + Build
Use the accent wall to highlight bold colors. Sam Adams, the design firm owner, suggests: “If there’s just a splash of color somewhere in the room – like on the tiles, for instance – you can emphasize it with the accent wall in the same color, especially with dark and muted tones, which might feel too heavy if you paint all four walls.”
Avoid using the same color as everything else in the room. Don’t paint the accent wall the same color as the room’s primary color. If everything in the room is too similar in color, nothing will stand out, and the accent wall won’t make much of an impact. For the best results, choose a color that contrasts with the room's main color.
- For example, if the room has navy curtains and upholstery, don’t use navy for the accent wall. A room dominated by navy will feel monotonous.
Painting the wall
Calculate how much paint you’ll need. Multiply the length of the accent wall by the height of the ceiling. The result will give you the surface area of the wall to be painted. Typically, 4 liters of paint can cover 30-35 square meters of wall. Divide the area by 30 or 35 to determine how many liters you’ll need. Usually, 4 liters should be enough for an average wall, but remember you’ll need two coats of paint.
- If your accent wall has a window, subtract 1.5 square meters from the area before dividing by 30 or 35.
- If there’s a door, subtract 2 square meters before dividing by 30 or 35.
Remove wall fixtures and lay down protective sheets. Take off outlet covers, wall-mounted devices, light switch plates, and window trim before you begin. Use a drop cloth to cover window sills, door hinges, baseboards, etc. Protect the floor with a tarpaulin and cover any furniture in the room. Open the windows or turn on a fan to ventilate the room during the painting process.
Use painter's tape to create clean, sharp edges where the accent wall meets adjacent walls. The color of your accent wall will contrast with both the ceiling and neighboring walls, so you’ll want to create crisp, straight edges along the meeting points. Jagged or smudged edges are noticeable and can ruin the clean look. Apply the painter’s tape slowly and precisely for the best result.
Clean the walls before painting. Dirt and dust on the walls will prevent the paint from adhering properly, so it’s essential to clean the walls before starting. Mix a mild cleaning solution with warm water and a few drops of dish soap, then use a cloth or sponge to wipe the walls clean, working from the floor to the ceiling in small sections. Allow the walls to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Apply a coat of primer for the best coverage (optional but recommended). Primer is not mandatory, but it’s generally suggested. It helps the paint bond to the surface, creating a smoother and more durable finish. Choose an interior primer and use a roller or paintbrush to apply it. Wait for the primer to dry fully before applying the top coat.
Apply two coats of the chosen topcoat for the best finish. Use interior latex-based paint for this step. Start at one of the upper corners of the wall and paint down in small sections. Use an angled brush to handle the corners, then switch to a roller for the main wall areas to speed up the process. Use the angled brush wherever detail work is needed.
- Wait for the first coat to dry completely, then apply the second coat in the same manner.
- Wait for the final coat to dry before removing the painter’s tape and reattaching any wall-mounted fixtures.
