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25 Accent Wall Ideas To Add Character To Your Home

by on Feb 29, 2024

Have you ever been in a room where one wall stands out from the rest? Chances are, that wall was an accent wall. These walls are designed to draw attention and provide a focal point for the overall design of your space. Accent walls can add texture, color, or pattern to any room in your home and can be used to create a unique look that stands out and expresses your personal style. Let’s explore some accent wall ideas and inspiration for your home.

Painted Accent Walls

Green bedroom accent wall from Ashley Clark via Domino
Forest green dining room accent wall from Decor Lovin
Use a bold color, like this Forest green dining room accent wall from Decor Lovin

A surefire way to make an impact with your accent wall is to use paint. Painting one wall in an eye-catching hue is a great way to instantly change the look of any room. Whether you choose a vibrant color or more subtle shades, painting will instantly make your accent wall stand out from the rest of the room. If you’re feeling extra daring, why not try a two-tone effect with contrasting colors or paint one half of the wall with vertical stripes? The possibilities are endless when it comes to painting!

Wallpaper Wonders

Wallpaper accent wall from Apartment Therapy
Wallpaper accent wall from Apartment Therapy
Wallpaper accent wall from Harbor and Pine
Foyer wallpaper accent wall from Harbor and Pine
We love this wallpapered accent in the entrance from Rebecca Propes.
We love this wallpapered accent in the entrance from Rebecca Propes.
Had to share the wallpaper gallery staircase from Rebecca too! It's amazing.
Had to share the wallpaper gallery staircase from Rebecca too! It’s amazing.
wallpaper with green leaves
Image from Schoolhouse Electric

Another great way to bring life into any room is wallpaper. Wallpaper can be used on just one wall as an accent piece or all four walls if desired. With so many different patterns, colors, and textures available these days, wallpaper can be used to create any look imaginable—from classic and elegant designs to bold and modern ones. Plus, there’s no need for extensive preparation as most types of wallpaper come with self-adhesive backing that makes installation easy and mess-free! If you’re a renter, make sure your stick wallpaper also peels off, not all do!

Use Your Ceiling as an Accent Wall

Wallpapered ceiling from Wild Flower Home Blog
Wallpapered ceiling from Wild Flower Home Blog
Bedroom accent ceiling from Studio McGee
Relaxing Bedroom accent ceiling from Studio McGee

When it comes to accent walls, most people focus on painting or decorating a single wall in a room. However, using your ceiling as an accent wall is a unique and creative way to add visual interest and personality to a space. A painted or patterned ceiling can create a stunning visual effect and draw the eye upward, making the room feel more spacious and inviting. It can also be a great way to highlight architectural details or add an unexpected element of surprise to a room.

Tile Textured Accent Wall

Signal Tile by Kristine Morich X Clayhaus Modern Tile
Add a pop of color with these Signal Tiles by Kristine Morich X Clayhaus Modern Tile
Decorative green bar backsplash from Mercury Mosaic
Decorative green bar backsplash from Mercury Mosaic
Bathroom accent tile wall from Fireclay Tile
Use tiles to add an accent wall color, like these bathroom accent tile wall tiles from Fireclay Tile
Distinctive fireplace tiles are a cozy way to add an accent wall.
Distinctive fireplace tiles are a cozy way to add an accent wall.

Adding tile or other textured materials to one wall can give your home an instant upgrade without breaking the bank. Tiles are available in various shapes and sizes which means you have plenty of options when it comes to creating the perfect look for your space—whether it’s a rustic feel with natural stone tiles or something more modern with geometric shapes like hexagons or chevrons! And if tiles aren’t quite what you had in mind, wood panels offer a timeless alternative that never goes out of style.

Wood Paneled Accent Wall

Pre-made wood panel accent wall from Andor Willow
This pre-made wood panel accent wall from Andor Willow adds depth and texture to this soft beige bedroom.
Modern wood accent wall tutorial from Within the Grove
Modern wood accent wall tutorial from Within the Grove
Shiplap basement accent wall tutorial from Curbly
Shiplap basement accent wall tutorial from Curbly

Wood paneling can add warmth, dimension, and texture to any room, making it a popular choice for accent walls. You can use reclaimed wood, shiplap, or other types of wood paneling to create a rustic or modern look. Wood paneling can also be painted or stained to match the existing decor in the room. Wood paneling is also the perfect option for creating a headboard like effect in your bedroom, like the example above from Andor Willow, adding a nice texture to a bedroom with neutral colors.

Board and Batten Accent Walls

Board and batten accent paired with wallpaper.
Board and batten accent paired with wallpaper from whiteridge.blog.
Deep green board and batten dressing room.
Deep green board and batten dressing room from atelieroleana.
Floral wallpaper paired with green board.
Floral wallpaper paired with green board and batten make for a very dramatic bedroom from
athomeontheboulevard.

Wainscoting Accents Walls

If the bold board and batten had a subtler cousin, it would be wainscoting. While wainscoting is usually installed on the lower ⅓ of the wall, the board and batten paneling style is oftentimes installed to the full height of the wall. Wainscoting is a great way to test the waters without jumping into the deep end!

dark green wainscoting in a home office.
The complete tutorial for this dark green wainscoting is available at Nadine Stay.
subtle wainscoting with matching trim.
More subtle wainscoting with matching trim from thewilddecoelis.com.

If you’re looking for even more wainscoting inspo, check out these ideas for wainscoting throught your home or this post full of ideas for your next bathroom wainscoting project.

Eclectic gallery wall from The Design Files
Eclectic gallery wall from The Design Files
Accent gallery wall from @rosemarieauberso
Accent gallery wall from @rosemarieauberso

A gallery wall is one of our favorite accent wall ideas and is a great way to showcase your personality and interests while creating an accent wall. You can hang photos, artwork, and other decorative items in a collage-like arrangement to create a statement wall in any room of your house, from living room to bathroom. You can also mix and match different frame styles and sizes to create a unique and eye-catching display. Wall decor is perfect for renters and homeowners alike!

Bold Patterns

Easy DIY faux wallpaper tutorial from Plank & Pillow
Easy DIY faux wallpaper tutorial from Plank & Pillow
Terrazzo + board and batten DIY accent wall tutorial from This Eoff House
DIY Terrazzo + board and batten panelled wall tutorial from This Eoff House
Easy DIY Hand Painted Accent Wall
Hand-painted navy accent wall tutorial from Curbly
bold, colorful wall mural.
For an even bolder look, consider a mural like this one from Banyan Bridges. On her site you’ll find tutorials, design inspiration and you can even hire her to paint a custom mural in your home.

Finally, consider using bold patterns to transform your white walls and create an accent wall in your home. You can use patterned wallpaper, stencils, or even create your own patterns using paint or tape. Bold patterns can add a fun and playful touch to your home, and they’re a great way to showcase your creativity and design skills.

When done right, an accent wall can truly transform any room in your home. There are so many creative possibilities when it comes to creating an eye-catching design—from paint colors and wallpaper patterns to tile shapes and textures—that will bring character and personality into any space!

Whether you opt for something bold like two-tone paint effects or something more subtle like wood panels, adding an accent wall is always worth considering when looking for ways to spruce up your home interior design. Hope you enjoyed this roundup of some of our favorite accent wall ideas!

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