With all of this extra time on our hands to paint these days I thought I would talk about accent walls.

Traditionally people think of an accent wall as the one they painted in a different colour, or used one of those funky 90’s painting techniques to make it stand out.

Thankfully, an accent wall can be so much more!

So what exactly is an accent wall? Well, it definitely can still be the wall that is painted a different colour and paint is an excellent starting point. It can also be a wall with an art piece, photo, or other decor that highlights and draws the eye towards it.

An accent wall should bring interest and a unique personality to your home. It can also be used to create a feeling or mood, improve acoustics, help to bring emphasis to other features of the room or even distract the eye from undesirable features.

With so many potential enhancements for your accent wall here are a few things to consider.

Budget

Installing wood or wallpaper is a fabulous option for your accent wall and with so many beautiful options and designs you are sure to find something that suits your taste. With that said, these options can be more expensive.

Paint is definitely a more economical route to take, and why not go ahead and try a new painting technique while you’re at it. When I was pinching pennies and needed a creative fix there was nothing better than doing a rag rolling technique or a crackle look to appease my need for change without breaking the bank!

Attention

Consider what you would like to stand out in your space. Do you want the wall to be the emphasis of the room or would you prefer the furniture be the highlight and the wall just compliment it? Maybe you would prefer a more balanced approach with the wall and furniture playing equal rolls.

The wall itself doesn’t even have to be the main attraction. Perhaps you have a beautiful art collection you want shown off or a treasured set of framed photographs you want prominently displayed.

Which Wall to Use

Choosing which wall to use can be tricky. When deciding, walk into your room with a fresh set of eyes. Walk out and then back in while being mindful of where your eye naturally goes. If you still can’t decide then don’t overthink it, choose the

Colour and Texture

An accent wall doesn’t have to be super bold or dark. Instead of a drastic change you could add a textured version of your current colour scheme. Burlap, painted wood, or textured wallpaper are all great ways to change the look without changing the colour, and there are so many beautiful options! Burlap is one of my favourite materials to use…. I may have cleaned my local greenhouse out of their supply once!

Mouldings are also a great way to add texture and interest to your accent wall. Paint them the same colour as the wall for a slick cohesive look or leave them neutral for contrast!

Don’t shy away from boldness if that is the look you desire! Dark navy or teal are great options and colours that are currently trending and will compliment a wide array of colour schemes.

Let your accent wall be a reflection of your personality. Be daring and go out of your comfort zone! I have encouraged many clients to try bold accent walls and bold furniture and they always come back to me saying “Shannon, I am so glad you made me do it! It’s the part of my home that gets the most compliments”.