What is an accent wall, and how do you choose one? An accent wall (or feature wall) is a single wall finished differently from the other walls in a room, with paint, wallpaper, wood paneling, tile, stone or a mural, to create a focal point and add color, texture or personality without a full renovation. The best wall to accent is usually the one your eye lands on first when you walk in: the wall behind the bed, behind the sofa, around the fireplace or TV, or the far wall of a dining room. Accent walls are usually darker or bolder than the surrounding walls, and they work best when they highlight an existing architectural detail rather than fighting it.
Below are accent wall ideas for every room, with paint and color ideas, texture and wood ideas, wallpaper and mural ideas, DIY options, the rules designers follow, and answers to the most common questions, such as which wall should be the accent wall and whether accent walls are outdated.
Accent Wall Ideas: Paint and Color
1. Paint one wall a bold color
The simplest DIY accent wall is a single wall painted a bold or dark color against lighter walls. One gallon of paint usually covers a typical accent wall with two coats. Deep greens, navy, terracotta, plum and warm browns are popular because they add depth without feeling harsh.
2. A blue accent wall
Blue is one of the most versatile accent wall colors. Navy feels classic and cozy in a bedroom or dining room; light blue reads airy and coastal; teal and peacock blue add drama.
3. Earthy greens and browns
Olive, moss, sage and warm mahogany or chocolate browns are popular accent wall colors right now, as warmer, earthier tones replace cool grays. They pair well with natural wood and brass.
4. A soft, tonal accent wall
Not every accent wall needs to shout. A shade or two deeper than the main wall color, or a soft color such as blush, clay or pale sage, adds depth in neutral rooms without making them visually busy.
5. Black or charcoal
A black accent wall can look posh and practical, especially behind a TV (it helps the screen disappear), behind open shelving or in a home office.
6. Color block or geometric paint
Color blocking maps out clean-lined shapes on the wall, such as an arch behind a bed, a half-painted wall, diagonal bands or overlapping circles. All you need is painter's tape and a plan.
7. A two-tone wall
Paint the lower third or half of the wall a darker color and the top a lighter one, split at chair-rail height (about 32 to 36 in), for a classic look in dining rooms and hallways.
8. Color drenching
Color drenching paints the wall, trim, baseboards and sometimes the ceiling in the same hue. On one wall with built-ins, it creates a seamless, enveloping feature.
9. Ombre or hand-painted mural
A painted ombre fades from dark to light; a hand-painted mural, whether abstract, floral or a landscape, makes a one-of-a-kind focal point.
Accent Wall Ideas: Texture and Wood
10. Board and batten accent wall
Board and batten adds instant architectural detail: flat boards (battens) applied in a grid or vertical pattern over the wall and painted. A common height is about one-third or two-thirds of the wall, or full height for drama. It's a popular DIY project and still looks fresh when painted a deeper color rather than stark white.
11. Vertical wood slats
Fluted or slatted wood walls add warmth, tactile depth and the illusion of higher ceilings, and they absorb sound. They're especially effective behind a bed or TV.
12. Wood paneling
Wood paneling, whether rich walnut, light oak or painted in a bold color, adds immediate architectural interest. A paneled wall in a deep wood tone is a classic for libraries and home offices.
13. Shiplap or beadboard
Shiplap suits modern farmhouse and coastal rooms; colored beadboard brings cottage charm to bathrooms and kitchens.
14. Geometric wood trim
Thin trim applied in diamonds, chevrons or a modern grid and painted the same color as the wall creates subtle shadow and pattern.
15. Stone accent wall
Natural stone or stone veneer adds a stately, organic feel, especially around a fireplace or TV.
A stone wall becomes the focal point of the room, so keep the furniture in front of it simpler and lighter in color. Here, a white carved TV console, the Relievo Panel TV Console, contrasts with the rough stone and keeps the wall the star. See also how high to mount a TV.
16. Brick or brick veneer
Exposed brick, brick veneer or faux brick panels give an industrial or rustic look. Whitewash brick for a softer feel. See our industrial interior design guide.
17. Limewash, plaster or Roman clay
Limewash and textured plaster finishes such as Roman clay create a soft, cloudy, stone-like surface that looks handcrafted. They suit Mediterranean, organic modern and wabi-sabi rooms.
18. 3-D panels
Molded 3-D wall panels add sculptural texture and some sound absorption, and many are DIY-friendly.
19. Tile
Take floor or backsplash tile up a wall in a bathroom, kitchen or powder room for a durable, graphic accent. Zellige, subway tile in a bold color or patterned cement tile all work.
Accent Wall Ideas: Wallpaper and Murals
20. Bold wallpaper
Statement wallpaper is back: large florals, botanicals, geometrics and grasscloth. One papered wall gives a big effect with less commitment than a whole room. See how to choose wallpaper.
21. Peel-and-stick wallpaper
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a budget-friendly, renter-friendly way to introduce pattern and remove it later without damage.
22. A wall mural
Oversized botanical, scenic or landscape murals work well as focal points behind a bed, in a dining room or in a home office.
23. An accent ceiling
The "fifth wall" is often overlooked. Paint or paper the ceiling for an unexpected accent, especially in a dining room, bedroom or powder room.
Accent Wall Ideas: Functional and Decorative
24. A gallery wall
A gallery wall turns a plain wall into a feature without paint. See our gallery wall ideas.
25. A built-in bookcase wall
A built-in bookcase wall, perhaps painted a contrasting color inside, is both an accent wall and storage. See our built-in bookshelves guide.
26. Metallic finishes
Metallic paint, gold-leaf wallpaper or mirrored panels make a glamorous statement in a powder room or dining room.
27. Lighting the wall
Picture lights, wall washers or LED strips behind slats highlight the texture of an accent wall and make it glow at night.
Accent Wall Ideas by Room
Living room accent wall
Which living room wall should be the accent wall? Usually the wall behind the sofa, the fireplace wall or the TV wall: whichever you see first and that already acts as a focal point. Avoid a wall with several doors or windows. For layouts, see our fireplace and TV layout guide.
Bedroom accent wall
The wall behind the bed is almost always the right choice, because it frames the headboard and is the first thing you see. Calming colors such as deep blue, sage, warm clay and soft green suit a primary bedroom; wood slats, wallpaper or a painted arch work too.
Dining room accent wall
A dining room is a great place for drama: dark paint, a mural, wallpaper, two-tone walls or paneling. Pick the wall behind a sideboard or the one opposite the entry.
Bathroom and powder room accent wall
Tile behind the vanity, bold wallpaper or a dark color makes a small powder room memorable. Use moisture-resistant finishes.
Kitchen accent wall
Extend the backsplash to the ceiling, paint a breakfast nook wall, or use open shelving against a colored wall.
Home office, entryway and guest room
A mural or bold color behind the desk adds personality to a home office; board and batten or wallpaper makes an entryway feel finished; and an accent wall distinguishes a guest room. See our home office ideas and entryway ideas.
Which Wall Should Be the Accent Wall?
- The focal wall: the wall you see first when you enter, or the one furniture faces.
- A wall with an architectural detail: a fireplace, alcove, built-in or arched niche.
- A solid wall: without many windows, doors or vents interrupting it.
- Not a random wall: an accent wall on a side wall with nothing in front of it can make a room feel unbalanced.
In an open concept space, choose a wall that defines a zone, such as the dining area wall, rather than one that runs through several areas.
Accent Wall Rules Designers Follow
- Darker or bolder than the other walls: an accent wall should generally be darker or more saturated; a lighter accent on dark walls is the exception.
- Coordinate with the color scheme: pull the accent color from a rug, art or upholstery so it belongs. The 60-30-10 rule helps.
- One per room: two accent walls usually compete; color drenching the whole room is the alternative.
- Highlight, don't hide: choose a wall that deserves attention.
- Consider light: dark colors feel deeper in low light; cooler, lighter colors can visually push a wall back and make a small room feel larger.
- Avoid visually busy rooms: in a small room already full of pattern, an accent wall adds clutter.
- Finish matters: matte or eggshell for most walls; satin in bathrooms and kitchens.
Accent Wall Ideas by Design Style
| Style | Accent wall ideas |
|---|---|
| Modern | Black or charcoal paint, vertical slats, large-format tile |
| Modern farmhouse | Shiplap, board and batten, painted wood |
| Traditional | Wainscoting, damask or floral wallpaper, deep colors |
| Industrial | Exposed brick, concrete-look plaster, black paint |
| Coastal | Light blue paint, beadboard, grasscloth |
| Japandi and organic modern | Limewash, wood slats, warm neutrals |
| Boho and maximalist | Murals, bold wallpaper, color blocking |
See all styles in our guide to interior design styles.
Accent Wall Ideas FAQ
Should an accent wall be darker or lighter?
Usually darker or more saturated than the surrounding walls, so it reads as the focal point. A lighter accent on dark walls can work in a moody room.
Are accent walls out of style?
No, but they've changed. Instead of one random wall painted a bright color, today's accent walls use texture (wood slats, limewash, stone), wallpaper, murals and deeper, earthier colors, and they're placed to highlight architecture.
Which wall should be the accent wall in a bedroom?
The wall behind the bed, because it frames the headboard and is the natural focal point.
What is the best color for an accent wall?
It depends on the room, but deep greens, navy, terracotta, warm browns and charcoal are popular because they add depth and work with wood and neutrals.
Is board and batten outdated?
Board and batten remains popular because it adds architectural detail. It looks most current in a deeper or unexpected color, in a simple grid, and in rooms where it suits the house's style.
How high should a board and batten accent wall be?
A common guide is about one-third of the wall height for a wainscot look, about two-thirds for a taller, more modern look, or full height for drama.
Do accent walls make a room look smaller?
A dark accent wall can make a wall feel closer, which can make a long, narrow room feel better proportioned. Lighter, cooler colors can make a small room feel larger.
Can I do an accent wall in a rental?
Yes: use peel-and-stick wallpaper, removable panels, a large tapestry or a gallery wall, or ask your landlord about paint.
The best accent wall ideas highlight what's already special about a room, whether that's a fireplace, a headboard wall or a dining nook, with color, texture or pattern that ties into the rest of your decor. Start with the focal wall, choose a treatment that suits your style, and keep the rest of the room calm so it can shine.
Related: see our guide to choosing paint colors.