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Stylish Ideas for Accent Walls
Look no further than your nearest wall to transform a room, big or small into a style statement
Vinita Kunnath
17 April 2018
A Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, lover of the internet, travel, funny blogs and all things off-beat, with an eye for good taste and aesthetics. Home, not clothes, maketh a man.....or woman.
A Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, lover of the internet, travel, funny... More
Walls, by sheer virtue of being a large expanse, lend themselves to being turned into style statements. It’s easy to let your imagination run riot when you have a large playing field … or even a small one. You can pick your canvas as per your convenience, or degree of derring-do. Turning a wall into a stylish wall can be simple process, and it can have high-impact. While paint, wallpaper and murals are tried and tested methods, here are some innovations that take the ideas for a stylish wall a notch higher.
1. Wood as an stylish accent wall
A wooden accent wall can complement a range of décor styles. Here, a wooden wall is natural, warm and inviting, giving the room character and a distinct visual effect.
A wooden accent wall can complement a range of décor styles. Here, a wooden wall is natural, warm and inviting, giving the room character and a distinct visual effect.
For a more eclectic look, create your own mosaic, using different colours and types of wood. The owners of this home have used reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood’s finish can vary greatly, from smooth, weathered grey to rough-hewn in a variety of shades.
2. Black is for the brave
Whether clothes or walls, black is chic and timeless, but how many of us are adventurous enough to paint an entire wall black? The dramatic effect of a black wall is far greater than that of a brightly coloured one, which is the more common idea for an accent wall.
Whether clothes or walls, black is chic and timeless, but how many of us are adventurous enough to paint an entire wall black? The dramatic effect of a black wall is far greater than that of a brightly coloured one, which is the more common idea for an accent wall.
Generally, a black wall works best in large, well-lit spaces. It is easy to accentuate a black wall but allow it to do the talking; keeping it simple is best. Here, there are no embellishments on the wall nor any artworks, but the suspended lights in front of it are enough to create a striking picture.
Browse through some gorgeous interiors that celebrate black
Browse through some gorgeous interiors that celebrate black
3. Wall-to-wall shelving
Built-in bookshelves, housing a mix of aesthetically arranged books and artefacts makes for a stylish wall that also becomes an accent wall in the room. The wood finish, coupled with its curved structure, gives this vast bookcase a retro vibe.
Built-in bookshelves, housing a mix of aesthetically arranged books and artefacts makes for a stylish wall that also becomes an accent wall in the room. The wood finish, coupled with its curved structure, gives this vast bookcase a retro vibe.
Here, the contrast between the green walls and the warm shade of brown stands out in a singular fashion. The sofa being the same colour as its background, ties in the whole room neatly, allowing attention to remain focused on the bookcase.
4. Headboard as an accent wall in the bedroom
The bed is automatically the focal point in the bedroom; so what could be more obvious than to make the headboard an accent? The thing to note is that the headboard should be sizeable enough to competently be both a headrest and a statement maker.
Take a look at headboards that can transform your bedroom
The bed is automatically the focal point in the bedroom; so what could be more obvious than to make the headboard an accent? The thing to note is that the headboard should be sizeable enough to competently be both a headrest and a statement maker.
Take a look at headboards that can transform your bedroom
5. Textural effects
Adding a textured panel, such as this one, adds drama without being overwhelming. Moreover, it doesn’t require any piece of art to accentuate the area; the sense of movement it emanates is art in itself.
Tip: While this panel has been created in board, similar finishes can be achieved in wallpaper, as well as in paint.
Adding a textured panel, such as this one, adds drama without being overwhelming. Moreover, it doesn’t require any piece of art to accentuate the area; the sense of movement it emanates is art in itself.
Tip: While this panel has been created in board, similar finishes can be achieved in wallpaper, as well as in paint.
6. Tone-on-tone
One would think that a stylish accent wall must be of a different colour from the others in the room; but, as this picture shows, the moulding on the wall, though in the same colour, stands out because of its 3D impression.
One would think that a stylish accent wall must be of a different colour from the others in the room; but, as this picture shows, the moulding on the wall, though in the same colour, stands out because of its 3D impression.
Here the tone-on-tone effect comes into play from two very different materials, the walls and the curtains. The combination, to say the least, is striking.
Tip: Tone-on-tone colouring works with any colour, and therein lies its magic. The tones do not have to be the exact same colour – a mix of shades, a couple of degrees lighter or darker, work equally well.
Tip: Tone-on-tone colouring works with any colour, and therein lies its magic. The tones do not have to be the exact same colour – a mix of shades, a couple of degrees lighter or darker, work equally well.
7. A niche can be an accent wall, too
A great way to create a point of interest is to dress up a niche – the larger it is the better, because then it would be more a wall than a niche, as in this instance. There’s so much one can do with a niche to turn it into an attention grabber. Paint it in a single bold colour, colour block it in nautical stripes, display a stunning picture or a large bevelled mirror, cover the niche with a geometric tapestry … the options are endless.
Read more:
Amazing Alternatives to Wall Paint
How to Pick the Perfect Accent Colour
Tell us:
Have you tried anything different in terms of an accent wall? We would love to hear from you in the Comments section.
A great way to create a point of interest is to dress up a niche – the larger it is the better, because then it would be more a wall than a niche, as in this instance. There’s so much one can do with a niche to turn it into an attention grabber. Paint it in a single bold colour, colour block it in nautical stripes, display a stunning picture or a large bevelled mirror, cover the niche with a geometric tapestry … the options are endless.
Read more:
Amazing Alternatives to Wall Paint
How to Pick the Perfect Accent Colour
Tell us:
Have you tried anything different in terms of an accent wall? We would love to hear from you in the Comments section.
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