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52 Accent Wall Ideas for the Living Room

52 Accent Wall Ideas for the Living Room

  • Trendey / Living Rooms
  • by — Kendrick Hulse

Tired of looking at the same four walls day in and day out? Well, adding a feature wall to your living room will at least give you something new and interesting to look at!

Some homeowners view accent walls as tacky or outdated. If you share that opinion, there’s a good chance you just haven’t come across a well-executed accent wall yet. Check out the accent wall ideas below to learn how to bring some much-needed variety into your own living space.

Contents

1. Bricks and Stones

Forget about creating a feature wall with little more than a bucket of paint! Some of the most unique and interesting accent wall ideas are made with materials like stone or brick.

Bricks and Stones Accent Wall
Source: @dwellingsinc via Instagram
Bricks and Stones Accent Wall
Source: @forbesmasters via Instagram
Bricks and Stones Accent Wall
Source: @szelihome via Instagram
Bricks and Stones Accent Wall
Source: @the_lilliepad via Instagram

A brick or stone accent wall can be a natural extension of an existing fireplace surround. Use rough-cut brick for a rustic aesthetic or sleek tile for a more contemporary look.

Exposed brick is the perfect complement to industrial architecture and decor. If you’re lucky, your home or condo may already have brick walls. If not, you can easily create a brick accent wall using a thin overlay.

2. Dark

Homeowners are often afraid to use dark colors in their home decor. If that sounds like you, try testing the prismatic water with a dark accent wall.

Dark Accent Wall
Source: @apkdesignsllc via Instagram
Dark Accent Wall
Source: @first.class.ash via Instagram
Dark Accent Wall
Source: @selhorst_woodworks via Instagram
Dark Accent Wall
Source: @thesheelyfamily via Instagram

Deep colors contrast beautifully against white and similarly white hues. Opt for a matte paint color to give your new accent wall a high-end finish. This combination can also prevent your room from feeling too dark or claustrophobic.

There’s a big difference between painting a dark wall and a black wall. Although black can be a gorgeous color choice, don’t paint yourself into a corner! Dark shades of red, blue, grey, and green are all worthwhile options.

3. Fireplace

When decorating a room with a fireplace, there’s no question of which wall should be accented. Turning your fireplace surround into a full-scale feature wall will ensure the hearth is always the focal point of the space.

Fireplace Accent Wall
Source: @allisonkeevandesign via Instagram
Source: @heyhayles7 via Instagram
Fireplace Accent Wall
Source: @shadowcreekhomes via Instagram
Fireplace Accent Wall
Source: @spacefordreaming via Instagram

There’s no rule that your accent wall must cover the entire surface. Focusing your accent paint or wall overlay directly above the fireplace will create the illusion of taller ceilings.

Related read: 60 Fireplace Wall Ideas

One thing you do need to keep in mind when decorating a fireplace feature wall is that your materials must be heat-resistant. (This doesn’t apply to electric inserts that produce little or no heat!)

4. Modern

Modern architecture is largely about lines and contrast. Adopt this same philosophy when designing your accent wall.

Modern Accent Wall
Source: @beetreedesignco via Instagram
Modern Accent Wall
Source: @indianaoliveirausa via Instagram
Modern Accent Wall
Source: @jorisghoos via Instagram
Modern Accent Wall
Source: @precision_accents via Instagram
Modern Accent Wall
Source: @projectimmo via Instagram

An accent wall is an excellent way to add color and texture to a modern living space without overwhelming the rest of your design. Stick to a neutral color scheme and incorporate organic materials like wood, stone, or concrete.

If you want to give your accent wall a modern aesthetic, look for ways to include contrast in the wall itself. Multi-dimensional panels, integrated lighting, and built-in shelving are all great options.

5. Paneling

As in fashion, home decor trends consistently come and go. One such trend that’s made a recent resurgence is decorative wall paneling.

Paneling Accent Wall
Source: @broookewags via Instagram
Paneling Accent Wall
Source: @loveresideshere via Instagram
Paneling Accent Wall
Source: @lyndsihawkinsdesigns via Instagram
Paneling Accent Wall
Source: @thehouseonoxfordstreet via Instagram

Wainscoting or chair railing can be applied to an entire room without becoming overbearing. But if you want to experiment with a floor-to-ceiling geometric pattern or asymmetrical design, a paneled accent wall will give you the most bang for your buck.

You don’t need to choose between paneling or a painted accent wall. Combining these two DIY accent wall ideas is a simple way to give your living or dining room some one-of-a-kind charm.

6. Stencil or Mural

How do you make guests’ jaws drop when they step foot into your home? With a dramatic wall mural, of course.

Mural accent wall
Source: @fbcremodel via Instagram
Mural accent wall
Source: @globalcovering via Instagram
Mural accent wall
Source: @practicallybasic via Instagram
Stencil accent wall
Source: @rustlewisbuilding via Instagram
Stencil accent wall
Source: @trewcolors via Instagram
Mural accent wall
Source: @zaval.decor via Instagram
Mural accent wall
Source: @trewcolors via Instagram
Mural accent wall
Source: @zaval.decor via Instagram

Not every room will be an ideal candidate for a large mural. Select a space in your home with minimal clutter and an open wall, such as a dining room, living room, or guest bedroom.

You don’t need an artist’s touch to create a head-turning statement wall. Stencils can be used to recreate geometric patterns or simple motifs. You can also use printed wallpaper for a professional-quality mural without any of the work.

7. TV Wall

Today’s living rooms often double as family media rooms. So it makes perfect sense to hang your household TV on your living room accent wall.

TV Accent Wall
Source: @a.m.interior via Instagram
TV Accent Wall
Source: @calebvincentinteriors via Instagram
TV Accent Wall
Source: @kabcokitchens via Instagram
TV Accent Wall
Source: @katie_elaine via Instagram
TV Accent Wall
Source: @my_home_deco_design via Instagram
TV Accent Wall
Source: @poshwillprojects via Instagram

Even if watching TV isn’t a part of your daily routine, you don’t want to overwhelm the space with an over-the-top accent wall. Be sure to use neutral colors that allow your TV to remain the star of the room (no pun intended!).

The right decor choices will ensure your TV feels like a part of your living room design rather than a necessary eyesore. This is also a great opportunity to install a built-in entertainment center or floating shelves around your TV to hold your must-have consoles and streaming gadgets.

8. Textured Wall

Yes, some textured walls are full-on art installations. But it’s probably easier to adapt this interesting accent wall design to your own living spaces than you think.

Textured Accent Wall
Source: @_design_nkubal_ via Instagram
Textured Accent Wall
Source: @allisonkeevandesign via Instagram
Textured Accent Wall
Source: @habitarteco via Instagram
Textured Accent Wall
Source: @modulararts via Instagram

Textured wallpaper makes recreating this look quick and easy. These textured finishes can range from subtle differences in sheen to three-dimensional shapes and patterns.

You can also give your accent wall texture with tiles or paneling. Using the same paint color for the entire surface will make the whole thing nice and subtle. Meanwhile, incorporating color variations will make the texture stand out even further.

9. Unique

After years of minimalism dominating the decor world, maximalist designs are finally getting a chance to shine! If you’re a believer that less is NOT more, then an accent wall is the ideal way to let your eccentric personality show in your home’s interior.

Unique Accent Wall
Source: @blendedmetalandwood via Instagram
Unique Accent Wall
Source: @blendedmetalandwood via Instagram
Unique Accent Wall
Source: @jesswhite011 via Instagram

Tile is not just for the kitchen and bathroom. Installing a floor-to-ceiling mosaic in your dining room, living room, or another living space is sure to wow future guests. Experiment with unique materials like wood, natural stone, and even glass for your accent wall idea.

Sometimes, an accent wall is just a backdrop to bigger and better things. Feel free to use the space to display your most prized artwork or statement mirror.

10. Wallpaper

Wallpaper is yet another cyclical design trend re-entering the popular consciousness. (Don’t worry… the styles available today are much different than the floral wallpaper covering your grandparents’ home.)

Wallpaper Accent Wall
Source: @bridie_newhome via Instagram
Wallpaper Accent Wall
Source: @charliesdesignsllc via Instagram
Wallpaper Accent Wall
Source: @dgstudio_gadalska via Instagram
Wallpaper Accent Wall
Source: @homesweethome_at_23 via Instagram
Wallpaper Accent Wall
Source: @houseatnumber30 via Instagram
Wallpaper Accent Wall
Source: @redbricks_lifestyle via Instagram
Wallpaper Accent Wall
Source: @the.home.of.grey via Instagram
Wallpaper Accent Wall
Source: @dgstudio_gadalska via Instagram

Wallpaper can be used to give your accent wall a finish not possible with regular paint. It can also make recreating intricate imagery without the help of a professional muralist.

You’re no longer limited to premade motifs and patterns for your wallpaper accent wall. Custom-printed designs are readily available as both permanent and temporary wallpaper.

11. Wood

Very few materials can be incorporated into literally any style of decor. But if there’s even one exception to this rule, natural wood is the best candidate.

Wood Accent Wall
Source: @the.home.of.grey via Instagram
Wood Accent Wall
Source: @mylivingdecor via Instagram

Reclaimed wood is perfect for creating a rustic atmosphere. Natural wood grain of any kind will make a room feel warmer and more inviting.

A wood accent wall provides the dimension and variety many homeowners crave without the necessity for loud patterns or bold color schemes. With that said, you can always paint your wooden wall overlay to match your living room’s existing color palette.

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Living Room Accent Wall FAQs

Are accent walls going out of style?

It’s true that accent walls have been a big trend for several years now. But while some types of accent walls have started to fall out of favor, the trend is still going strong.

You can prevent your new accent wall from looking instantly outdated by steering clear of flat, solid colors that contrast harshly with the rest of the space. The most contemporary accent wall ideas feature multi-colored patterns, unique textures, and incorporate furniture and decor into the design as a whole.

How do you decide which wall to accent?

The main purpose of an accent wall is to draw the eye. So it’s important to select a wall that’s already the focal point of the room.

Pay attention to where your eyes naturally go when entering the room. Often, the best accent wall location will be where your line of sight falls.

If the room features an architectural element like a fireplace or built-in furniture, picking a different wall to paint an accent color or cover in wallpaper will cause the two to fight for attention. Instead, the wall containing these standout elements should be the accent wall.

Kendrick Hulse

Writer

Kendrick holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Wisconsin. She has written professionally for five years and specializes in home and garden design, with past experience working in the residential gardening industry.

Kendrick holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Wisconsin. She has written professionally for five years and specializes in home and garden design, with past experience working in the residential gardening industry.

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