The Where, What and How of Accent Walls

The Where, What and How of Accent Walls

Accent walls are a design element that can improve the look and style of a plain or dated room. Fun colours, textures, and designs can be added to any room in your house to draw guests to a particular area and boost inspiration.

But with so many options and endless inspirational photos online, how do you know where to start? Luckily, you can follow our easy guide to learn where to place an accent wall, what it can do for a room, and how to add one to your home with straightforward methods that anyone can master.

Head to Pemberton Valley Hardware & Building Centre for all the necessary tools and supplies for a new accent wall today.

How to Choose the Placement

The most essential part of beginning an accent wall is to be intentional about where the focus will be. Think of an accent wall as a way to accentuate the style or space in your home.

A large blank wall should be your first place to start building your accent wall. Avoid any walls with a slanted ceiling or large built-in pieces, as well as doors and windows. You will want to choose a wall with a clear beginning and end with solid angles. A great place to choose is the flat wall behind your bed or a large blank wall in a dining or living room.

You can also consider playing with what designers call the "fifth wall" – the ceiling! A new trend in accentuating a room's space is to play with colour, texture, and design on the ceiling. Visually, it creates an additional wall, and you may never look at a white ceiling the same way again.

How to Choose the Design

When deciding on the design, you will want to choose a colour, texture, or finish based on the furniture and accessories already present in the space. As the wall's name implies, the feature should accentuate your style and items you already own.

Begin by pulling colours from rugs, artwork, or accessories already in the room. Then, choose the type of element on the wall. Some common elements are paint, brick, stone, or wallpaper.

How to Avoid Common Accent Wall Mistakes

A common mistake when designing an accent wall is allowing it to stand out in a room without matching design elements. In particular, it shouldn't be a band-aid solution for a room with four white undecorated walls. The wrong colour or design can make the room look smaller or cheaper.

Don't simply place a fun wallpaper on one wall and leave the other three stark white with no decor. You avoid this mistake by using the rest of the walls to match the accent wall and make the room more cohesive.

For example, if you add a jungle-themed wallpaper to adorn the accent wall in a kid's room, choose a colour from the print to paint the other three walls, perhaps a dark emerald green or light mossy green that appears in the print.

Materials and Tools Needed:

You can find all the supplies at your local Pemberton Valley Hardware & Building Centre. Our experts can help you select the right tools and materials for your DIY home projects.

• Primer
• Paint or wallpaper
• Painter’s tape
• Brushes and rollers
• Wall putty and sandpaper
• Measuring tape
• Plastic sheets
• Step ladder
• Smoothing tool

How to Install an Accent Wall in 4 Easy Steps

1. Plan your design

The first step in creating a stunning accent wall is to ensure you have a clear vision. Ensure you have chosen a colour or design that will enhance the room and match the rugs, accessories, and furniture already in the space.

If you plan on painting a fun design, have it mapped out. For wallpaper, you will need to measure the wall and buy the appropriate amount of wallpaper.

2. Prep the Wall

Use the filler and a putty knife to fill in any holes or gouges, and sand when dry. Clean the wall thoroughly so no dust or lint is left behind. Tape off the sides of the wall and add any painter's tape needed to create your design.

3. Paint or Apply the Design

Apply your paint in thin and even layers with the roller and cut in the corners with a brush.

If you have peel-and-stick wallpaper, ensure you measure and plan the placement before adhering the paper to the wall. Use the smoothing tool after each panel of wallpaper.

4. Reassemble Your Room

Remove the tape used to border the walls or to create a design.

Now, it's time to bring your furniture and accessories back into your room and enjoy the new look that the accent wall adds to your space.