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The Daily Insight

What is the purpose of an accent wall

Author

John Parsons

Updated on May 10, 2026

The purpose of an accent wall is to draw attention to a part of the room that might otherwise be overlooked or to give a room decorative flair that it might be lacking. Accent walls add a sense of excitement to your home’s decor and can be used to tie together a color scheme in your home.

Is an accent wall necessary?

You should still consider an accent wall even if you’re keeping your room neutral. Accent walls can work just as well in a neutral color, as a bright one. The initial idea of an accent wall conjures up visions of bright red or blue, but in a neutral color scheme, a dark brown wall is just as dramatic.

What do accent walls do for a room?

Accent walls are a unique way to tie together color schemes in a home, add a subtle depth to your walls, or create dramatic centerpieces that invite your guests inside. Despite their many uses, it can be hard to find the perfect balance and location for your accent wall.

What is the point of an accent?

Accent walls are typically intended to break up the pattern created by the other walls, especially when the walls are painted a single flat tone. However, a room may be wallpapered and have an accent wall that is untextured and undecorated, serving the same purpose.

What is the effect of an accent wall?

An accent wall draws in all the attention when one enters the room and it ultimately becomes the focal point of the room. Painting an accent wall can also make a room appear larger and more spacious than it actually is. This can be a huge benefit if square footage is a concern of yours.

Do accent walls make room smaller?

Because they add extra details, accent walls break up the space, making it feel bigger the same way an area rug does to a floor. Even darker colors that would otherwise make a room feel smaller will make a room feel bigger when you use them for an accent wall.

Why do designers hate accent walls?

Some designers wish accent walls would go away. “The trend of painting one wall of a room a different color is definitely outdated and I never recommend it to clients,” said Soricelli. “If you love the color enough, paint the whole room.”

Should accent wall be darker or lighter?

By choosing a darker but complementary color for an accent wall, you can make the space feel cozier. If you happen to have a very small room and you want to make it appear larger, an accent wall in a lighter color can give you that look.

Does the accent wall have to be behind the bed?

In a bedroom, opt for the wall behind your headboard. Avoid accenting a wall with windows and doors, as the scenery and color can clash in a way that’s distracting. When choosing a color, opt for muted tones that are darker than the other walls in the room, as these usually stand the test of time.

Can an accent wall have a door?

If you must use a wall with windows or other architectural features it will look best if the wall is symmetrical. A wall with various sized windows or windows and a door is not the best choice. In the photo above, the accent wall is symmetrical with the two matching windows and sconces.

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Which wall should be your accent wall?

The wall that ‘should’ be the accent wall is traditionally the focal wall of a room – so the chimney breast of the living room or the wall behind the headboard of a bed, for example. It may even be a wall of windows that’s your accent wall.

Are accent walls outdated?

Accent walls have been a trend for a while now and are beginning to fade. It is no longer the focal point of interiors. Single colored walls are making a greater impact when paired with colorful decor or furnishings.”

Are white walls still in 2021?

For 2021 (and 2020) you might be surprised to hear that gray is out and white walls are in! … White may seem like an easy color to work with, however, in actuality, the color variations in white paint makes this the most challenging color to work with in the spectrum.

Can you have 2 Accent walls in a bedroom?

When you’re only painting one or two walls to serve as an accent in a room, choosing the right color is key. … Instead, choose a shade that’s from the same color family as the other walls but two to three shades darker to help emphasize the wall without giving the room a busy look.

Can you paint two opposite walls the same color?

Small, square rooms look bigger with two opposite walls of the same color, preferably an intense one. The color creates a feeling of depth, opening up the room. Similarly, a narrow room looks wider if the shorter walls are darker (they advance) and the longer walls are lighter (they recede).

Why is white so popular for interior design?

White reflects all light so it makes spaces appear larger and that is why it is used on ceilings. … Blue and white gives a timeless look, and it just keep teaming up white with any color and you can’t fail. That is why it is so popular. White is very useful when starting out in interior decorating or design.

Are white houses out of style?

While white never goes out of style, it’s certainly one of the top exterior home colors for the next decade. Crisp white is nearly a required paint color on modern farmhouses, while white on a ranch or Colonial-style home—with a pop of color on the front door—makes for a contemporary aesthetic.

Why is GREY so popular in interior design?

‘Greys are popular as you can use them to create a more complex colour scheme than with white and off-white shades,’ said Oliver. ‘They also offer a neutral, reduced-glare backdrop that either brings accent colours alive or allows them to create a sense of calm.

What color makes a room look brighter?

the design world, it’s well known that light paint colors make a room look bigger and brighter. Light and bright walls are more reflective, making a space feel open and airy, which helps maximize natural light’s effect. Dark shades tend to absorb light, making rooms feel smaller.

Does GREY make a room look bigger?

Cool Gray. A great alternative to a white paint color is a light cool gray, which can feel fresh and bright without the starkness of pure white. Cool colors feel fresher and brighter than warm ones, so it helps visually create the appearance of more space.

What colors make a room feel relaxing?

  1. Lush Lavender. The flower itself is the perfect shade of purple with a light blue tone — perfectly regal and relaxing, but not overwhelming. …
  2. Tranquil White. …
  3. Blue-Gray. …
  4. Sea Blue. …
  5. Pastel Purple. …
  6. Dusty Pink. …
  7. Neutral Beige. …
  8. Sage Green.

Can you wallpaper 2 feature walls?

How to Wallpaper Two Feature Walls. The two colors or patterns in your room have to go well together. Any shade of color on one feature wall paired with a darker or lighter shade of the same color on the second wall should do the trick.

Can an accent wall be long?

Short, Far Walls – In rectangular rooms, consider making the farthest short wall the accent wall. This will draw attention and make your walls appear closer. On the other hand, using long walls as accent walls will only emphasize length of the room.

Should the biggest wall be the accent wall?

Often, the wall facing you when you enter the room is the accent wall regardless of whether it is the long wall or the end wall. The exception to this rule is a wall that grabs your attention via a focal point, such as a fireplace or a two-story window.

What are the colors for 2021?

  • Sherwin-Williams’ Urbane Bronze. …
  • HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams’ Passionate. …
  • HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams’ Pale Apricot. …
  • Behr’s Jojoba and Broadway. …
  • Behr’s Kalahari Sunset and Almond Wisp. …
  • Valspar’s Granite Dust. …
  • Valspar’s Maple Leaf. …
  • Graham & Brown’s Epoch.

Do you paint door on an accent wall?

Accent walls only work when there is something worth highlighting. … If you really want that wall black, paint the whole thing. The door will stick out though so consider painting the door the same color as the wall so it blends in.

Do you put pictures on an accent wall?

If you have an accent wall of a different color or wallpaper/stencil, highlight it with pictures. The adjacent walls can be left bare for a bigger design effect. If you may decide a few more pictures would look good on the adjacent walls, go for oversized pictures to balance the accent wall.

What is feature wall?

A feature wall is a wall that adds interest and energy to a room through texture, colour and contrast.

What is the new color for 2020?

Ahead of the start of a new era that will no doubt bring intense new challenges, the Pantone Color Institute has announced that its 2020 Color of the Year is PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, a deep blue shade that’s at once comforting and relatable.

What color is replacing gray?

“Cool grays are being replaced by warmer shades and soft whites,” she says. These days, most of Welsh’s clients are looking for help choosing the perfect white paint color rather than the perfect gray.

Is greige going out of style?

Not only does the color greige mesh well, it is a timeless paint color that will be in style forever. The color gray is also popular right now but gray will go out of style at some point just like the color tan and beige did. So, you can pick the color greige and your house will remain in style forever!