A well-designed room feels like a personal retreat, but sometimes, even the most carefully curated spaces can feel a bit monotonous. If you’re looking for a simple yet powerful way to inject personality and style into your home, an accent wall might be the perfect solution.
Also known as a feature wall, it’s a single wall that stands out from the others, creating a focal point that draws the eye and transforms the entire atmosphere of a room. From bold paint choices to intricate textures, an accent wall is your canvas for self-expression, and the best part is that many options are achievable as a weekend DIY project.
Let’s explore 15 exciting ideas that can breathe new life into any room, inspired by some of our favorite designers.
1. Create a Living Wall
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Imagine bringing the beauty and serenity of a garden directly into your home. A living wall, filled with lush houseplants, does just that. It’s a vibrant, eco-friendly statement piece that not only looks stunning but also helps purify the air. This idea is perfect for connecting your indoor space with the natural world, a core principle for any garden lover.
This option is fantastic because it adds color, texture, and life to a room in a truly unique way. You can design it with a mix of trailing plants like pothos and philodendrons, structural succulents, or even fragrant herbs in a kitchen. The key is to choose a wall that receives adequate light for your chosen plants.
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- Best For: Living rooms, kitchens, sunny entryways.
- DIY Level: Intermediate to advanced.
- Care Tip: Install a drip irrigation system to make watering easier. Regularly check for pests and prune plants to encourage healthy growth. Ensure your wall structure is waterproof to prevent damage to your home.
2. Make Geometric Shapes
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For a modern and visually dynamic look, a geometric accent wall is a guaranteed showstopper. Using paint, tape, or thin wood trim, you can create patterns of triangles, squares, chevrons, or abstract lines. This method allows for complete creative control over color and design, resulting in a custom look that reflects your personal style.
Geometric walls are a great choice because they add a sense of structure and sophistication. The clean lines and repeating shapes can make a room feel more organized and intentional. It’s also an incredibly budget-friendly DIY project that delivers a high-impact result. Plan your design on paper first to ensure the pattern flows well and the colors complement your existing decor.
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- Best For: Bedrooms, home offices, and dining areas.
- DIY Level: Beginner.
- Care Tip: Use high-quality painter’s tape for crisp lines. For a subtle effect, use a slightly darker or lighter shade of your main wall color.
3. Install Shiplap
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Shiplap has become a staple in modern farmhouse and coastal design for good reason. These wooden boards, installed horizontally or vertically, add subtle texture and character to a wall. While traditionally white, shiplap can be painted any color, from a moody dark green to a cheerful light blue, to match your room’s aesthetic.
This is a good option for adding architectural interest without overwhelming a space. Horizontal shiplap can make a room feel wider, while vertical installation can create the illusion of higher ceilings. It provides a clean, classic backdrop that works well in almost any room.
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- Best For: Bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, and entryways.
- DIY Level: Beginner to intermediate.
- Care Tip: Ensure boards are properly spaced and nailed into studs for a secure fit. Wipe down with a damp cloth periodically to keep the grooves free of dust.
4. Use Board and Batten
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Board and batten is a type of wainscoting that uses wide boards and thin wooden strips (battens) to create a paneled look, often with a rectangular or square pattern. This classic design adds a touch of timeless elegance and dimension to a room. You can install it on the lower half of a wall or take it all the way to the ceiling for a more dramatic effect.
This style is wonderful for adding a layer of sophistication and charm. It can break up a large, plain wall and provides a great opportunity to use two complementary colors or pair it with a fun wallpaper on the upper portion of the wall. It’s particularly effective in transitional or traditional home styles.
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- Best For: Dining rooms, entryways, hallways, and bedrooms.
- DIY Level: Intermediate.
- Care Tip: Measure twice and cut once! Careful planning of your grid is essential for a professional finish. Fill nail holes and caulk seams before painting for a seamless look.
5. Build a Bookcase Wall
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Both beautiful and practical, a floor-to-ceiling bookcase wall turns your collection of books and cherished objects into a stunning focal point. This functional accent wall provides massive amounts of storage and display space, making it perfect for avid readers or collectors. You can use built-in shelving for a custom, high-end look or arrange freestanding bookcases for a more flexible option.
A bookcase wall is an excellent choice because it combines storage with personal expression. You can organize books by color for a rainbow effect or mix in plants, photos, and decorative items to break up the rows and add visual interest. It makes a space feel cozy, intellectual, and deeply personal.
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- Best For: Living rooms, home offices, and dens.
- DIY Level: Varies from easy (freestanding units) to advanced (custom built-ins).
- Care Tip: Secure tall bookcases to the wall to prevent tipping. Dust shelves and items regularly. Rotate decor seasonally to keep the display fresh.
6. Consider a Brick or Stone Wall
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For a touch of rustic charm or industrial chic, an exposed brick or stone wall is unmatched. If you aren’t lucky enough to have an original brick wall hiding behind your drywall, you can achieve the look with thin brick veneers or stone panels. The natural texture and color variations add warmth, depth, and a sense of history to a space.
This is a fantastic option for adding rugged texture that contrasts beautifully with softer furnishings. A brick wall behind a sofa or bed creates an instant focal point that is both timeless and trendy. The material is also incredibly durable and low-maintenance.
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- Best For: Living rooms, kitchens, basements, and bedrooms.
- DIY Level: Intermediate to advanced (using veneers).
- Care Tip: Once installed, the wall needs little more than occasional dusting. You can apply a sealant to make it easier to clean and prevent brick dust.
7. Install Fun Wallpaper
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Wallpaper has made a major comeback, and today’s options are more stylish and user-friendly than ever. From bold floral prints and whimsical botanicals to sophisticated geometric patterns, there is a wallpaper to suit any taste. Using it on a single wall prevents the pattern from overwhelming the room while still making a big impact.
Wallpaper is a great choice for introducing intricate patterns and colors that would be difficult to replicate with paint. Peel-and-stick versions are especially popular for DIYers and renters, as they are easy to apply and remove without damaging the wall. It’s a quick way to completely change the mood of a room.
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- Best For: Bedrooms, powder rooms, nurseries, and dining rooms.
- DIY Level: Beginner (peel-and-stick) to intermediate (traditional paste).
- Care Tip: Start with a smooth, clean, and primed wall. Use a smoothing tool to eliminate air bubbles as you apply the paper.
8. Go with a Bold Color
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Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most effective. Painting one wall in a bold, dramatic color is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to create an accent wall. A deep navy, rich emerald green, or sunny yellow can instantly energize a space and provide a beautiful backdrop for furniture and art.
This is a perfect entry-level project for anyone new to DIY. It allows you to experiment with colors you love but might be hesitant to use on all four walls. The key is to choose a wall that you want to draw attention to, such as the one behind your bed’s headboard or your living room sofa.
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- Best For: Any room in the house.
- DIY Level: Beginner.
- Care Tip: Always use painter’s tape for clean edges. Apply a primer first, especially when going from a light to a dark color, to ensure true and even coverage.
9. Incorporate Wood Paneling
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Modern wood paneling is a far cry from the dated designs of the past. Today’s options include sleek, vertical slats, intricate parquet patterns, or reclaimed wood planks that add warmth and organic texture. This type of accent wall brings the beauty of nature indoors and creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Wood paneling is a wonderful way to add a high-end, architectural feel to a room. It also has acoustic benefits, helping to absorb sound and make a space feel quieter and more serene. The natural grain and tones of the wood serve as a beautiful, neutral backdrop that complements many design styles.
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- Best For: Living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices.
- DIY Level: Intermediate.
- Care Tip: Choose a wood finish that complements your flooring and furniture. Periodically, dust with a microfiber cloth to maintain its natural luster.
10. Design a Gallery Wall
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Turn a blank wall into a personal museum with a curated gallery of art, photos, and meaningful objects. A gallery wall is the ultimate form of self-expression, allowing you to showcase family pictures, favorite prints, travel souvenirs, and even small mirrors or textiles.
This is an excellent option because it’s endlessly customizable and can evolve with you over time. You can use matching frames for a cohesive, formal look or mix and match different styles, sizes, and colors for a more eclectic and relaxed vibe. It turns a simple wall into a conversation starter filled with stories.
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- Best For: Living rooms, hallways, and staircases.
- DIY Level: Beginner.
- Care Tip: Plan your layout on the floor before hanging anything. Use paper cutouts of your frames to test the arrangement on the wall. Use a level to ensure everything is straight.
11. Add Metallic Accents
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For a touch of glamor and sophistication, consider an accent wall with metallic details. This can be achieved with a stone wall (less budget-friendly option), metallic paint, shimmering wallpaper, or by adding thin, self-adhesive metal strips in a geometric pattern over a painted wall. Gold, silver, brass, or copper tones catch the light beautifully, adding a subtle sparkle and a sense of luxury.
Metallic accents are a great way to brighten a room, as they reflect light and can make a space feel larger and more open. A metallic wall works especially well in rooms that may not get a lot of natural light, providing its own source of brightness and visual interest.
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- Best For: Dining rooms, bedrooms, and powder rooms.
- DIY Level: Beginner to intermediate.
- Care Tip: Ensure the wall surface is perfectly smooth before applying metallic paint or wallpaper, as shiny finishes will highlight any imperfections.
12. Create a Map Wall
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Let your wall inspire your next adventure with a large-scale map. You can use a vintage-style map mural, a modern world map decal, or even paint a map directly onto the wall. This is a perfect theme for a home office, a child’s playroom, or a living room for a family of travelers.
A map wall is a fantastic conversation piece and a source of endless fascination. It can be purely decorative or interactive—you can use pins to mark places you’ve been or dream of visiting. It’s a creative way to personalize your space and celebrate a passion for exploration.
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- Best For: Home offices, playrooms, and family rooms.
- DIY Level: Beginner (for decals) to advanced (for hand-painting).
- Care Tip: For murals or decals, apply to a clean, smooth wall. If using pins, consider mounting the map on a corkboard first to avoid damaging the wall itself.
13. Apply Chalkboard Paint
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Embrace your creative side with a functional and fun chalkboard wall. Simply apply a few coats of chalkboard paint to any smooth wall, and you have an instant space for doodling, writing grocery lists, displaying a weekly menu, or leaving messages for family members.
This is an incredibly practical and interactive choice, especially for households with children. It provides a designated—and approved—space for drawing on the walls. In a kitchen or home office, it becomes a dynamic and ever-changing organizational tool that is both useful and charming.
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- Best For: Kitchens, playrooms, and home offices.
- DIY Level: Beginner.
- Care Tip: Before its first use, season the entire wall by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk over the surface and then erasing it. This prevents early drawings from “burning” into the paint.
14. Add Elegance with a Velvet Wall
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For the ultimate in luxury and sensory appeal, consider a velvet accent wall. This can be achieved using upholstered velvet panels that are mounted to the wall. The rich texture and deep color saturation of velvet create a sophisticated and cozy atmosphere that feels incredibly high-end.
A velvet wall is a bold choice that adds unparalleled softness and depth to a room. It also has excellent sound-dampening qualities, making it ideal for a bedroom or a media room. The way the fabric catches and plays with light adds a dynamic, opulent quality that is truly unique.
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- Best For: Bedrooms, media rooms, and formal living rooms.
- DIY Level: Intermediate to advanced.
- Care Tip: Vacuum regularly with a soft brush attachment to remove dust. Treat any spills or stains immediately using a cleaner appropriate for upholstery.
15. Mix Multiple Features
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Why settle for just one idea when you can combine several? Create a truly one-of-a-kind accent wall by mixing different elements. For example, you could apply a board and batten treatment to the bottom third of the wall and hang a bold floral wallpaper above it. Or, create a geometric pattern using wood trim on top of a deeply colored painted wall.
This approach offers the most creative freedom and results in a wall that is completely unique to your home. It allows you to layer textures, colors, and patterns for a rich, designer look. The key is to ensure the different elements complement each other rather than compete for attention.
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- Best For: Any room where you want to make a bold statement.
- DIY Level: Intermediate to advanced.
- Care Tip: Plan your design carefully to ensure a cohesive look. Create a mood board with samples of your chosen paint, wallpaper, and wood to see how they work together before you begin.
Time to Get Creative and Bold
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Feeling inspired? The best way to start your accent wall project is to choose the room and the wall that will serve as your focal point. Think about the mood you want to create and which idea from this list best aligns with your style and DIY comfort level. Gather your materials, clear your weekend, and get ready to completely transform your space. Whether you start with a simple can of paint or a more ambitious living wall, adding a feature wall is a rewarding project that will bring new energy and personality to your home for years to come.
