Accent Wall Tips

Accent walls are all the rage these days. This modern design trend is a great way to bring some color and/or flare to any room, but it’s also pretty easy to get things “not quite right.” While our expert team can provide guidance in the planning stages of any interior or exterior painting job, it’s also our mission to give people what they want, and the final decisions are up to the customer… Even if it’s not the best color choice (or in this case, the wrong wall).

So, with that in mind, we’ve gathered a few tips for choosing the placement and style of accent walls so you can make informed decisions – and have an accent wall that looks great for years to come. Let’s jump right in!

Line of Sight

A good rule of thumb for accent walls is to place them in a natural line of sight. This could be the wall you see right when you walk into the room, or the wall the room’s seating faces. The point of an accent wall is to spice up a room, so of course you want it to be seen!

Consider not only places where people’s eyes will go naturally, but also where you want them to go. If you have an interesting feature in your home – or a “path” through the home you’d like to highlight – you can draw attention and lead the eyes with an accent wall!

Space and Intensity

Choosing the right color for your accent wall is the most critical part of the process, and we’ll dig a little deeper into that soon. Before you choose the exact color though, it’s a good idea to think about the amount of space you’re turning into an accent wall, and how that affects the intensity of the color you choose.

In a small space, you can get pretty wild with color choices! The less surface area, the brighter or more intense color you can use – but the opposite is also true.

In a small space like an archway, odd shaped wall, or around large windows, you can go for vibrant, eye-catching colors because the actual surface area is small enough to make a statement without being irritating. If you’re painting a large, wide open wall with an accent color, you’ll probably want to choose a less intense color to draw attention without overwhelming the senses.

Choosing Colors

There are many, many options here… And your accent wall color choices will ultimately depend on the other colors you use in the room. Still, there are a few principles you can keep in mind. As mentioned above, you can start by thinking about intensity, and using that as guidance for your general palette. Before you even pick colors, you can decide if you’re after warm or cool colors, bright or muted, and even what sheen will look best with the other walls.

Remember that lighter colors make spaces seem larger, and darker colors can make spaces feel smaller and cozier. For a subtle approach, you can skip just a few shades on a color card/palette – or you can go for extreme opposites!

Consider the room you’re painting, the overall “vibe” of your house, and when in doubt, ask the experts for help choosing colors!

Accent walls can be a great addition to your interior decor, but don’t rush your decision! Take the time to consider different shades, discuss your ideas with your professional painting team, and get creative! If you have any questions about choosing your accent wall, what color to paint it, or anything else about your next interior home painting project, contact CertaPro today!