Accent walls, sometimes called feature walls, are a great way to update a room and even give a lift to an existing space. With a few key considerations you can create the right look to maximize visual interest and personalize your home.
As the name implies, an accent wall will draw your attention in any space. With this in mind you need to carefully assess your room and decide where you would like to direct focus. This could be a main wall that you view immediately upon entering or even a wall that links 2 spaces. Accent walls can add depth or brightness to a room based on the color and finish you choose. Scale and proportion should also come into the equation when choosing which wall to accent.
Once you have determined the location of your accent wall, you need to look at your space and furnishings. What will be in front of this wall? Will you be hanging artwork on it? These items will need to work with the color and texture you choose for the accent wall. Look at the current palette in your room to decide which color you would like to pop. Most often this color should not be a major color that you are already using in your larger furnishings. Otherwise instead of popping, your accent wall will blend with the room.
The easiest and least expensive way to create an accent wall is with paint. The availability of colors and finishes are limitless, the cost of the product is relatively low and with proper preparation, tools and clean up, an average sized wall is not a large undertaking for a DIY project. Many suppliers also have specialized products to create custom finishes and can advise you on how to use them to create more interesting effects. Check out Sherwin Williams for products, ideas and experts who can help you to use them (www.sherwin-williams.com).
Wallpapers can also be a great tool for creating an accent wall. The skill level required is substantially higher, products can be more expensive and removal can be labor intensive if you change your mind. There are now some really beautiful removable wall papers which can work but be aware of pattern matching challenges and be sure you factor that overage in when purchasing.
Tile and wood can also be used on accent walls. These options again add to the cost and permanence of your decisions. You may also want to hire a professional for this type of wall because mistakes can be costly and damaging to existing walls.
If you would like any other information about this or any other design areas please contact me at liz@chrysalizdesign.com or call the office at 732 270-4546.
Liz Balogh Chrysaliz Design,LLC