Accent Wall Paint Ideas

An accent wall can add a lot of interest and personality to a room and can tie in the colors of your furnishings. This is one wall within a room that's done in a different color and/or texture than the rest of the walls, and wall paint ideas are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to redecorate and revitalize a room.

Choosing the Accent Wall

Any room in a house can have an accent wall. The best wall to choose for an accent wall is one that has an attractive focal point for the room, such as a fireplace, bed, TV, or a big window. If you're painting a room that doesn’t have a specific focal point, choose the wall that is most visible when entering or sitting in the room.

Choosing the Accent Wall Color

The accent wall should have a bold, bright or dark color. The main point is that the accent walls color should attract the eye. If you are keeping your existing furniture, choose colors that go well with the furniture. If you are refurnishing, then you have more flexibility in choosing the color scheme. You can co-ordinate fabrics, pillows, curtains, rugs and decorations to really make the accent wall stand out.

One of the most dramatic accent wall ideas is to use a dark color. Many people are afraid of dark colors and think it will look too severe. But, when done right, a dark accent wall can look stunning, especially if you keep the furniture, flooring and ceiling light.

Another option is to use a faux paint finish or a metallic paint to add more texture to the accent wall. There are many options to choose from, such as Venetian plaster, antique crackle, stone imitations, sponging and stencils.

After painting the accent wall, consider painting the molding and trim around the accent wall a contrasting color to frame the wall and make it stand out even more.

Choosing the Surrounding Wall Color

If you have chosen a dark color for your accent wall, don’t go with a light color for the rest of the walls, as that would place too much emphasis on the accent wall. For the other walls, choose a medium color. If you have chosen a bright, bold color for the accent wall, then you can go with a light to medium color for the rest of the walls.

Don’t forget that the ceiling is your fifth wall; it can be painted in color as well. Paint the ceiling the same color as the surrounding walls or a shade or two lighter. A light color will make the ceiling seem higher, and a dark color will make it seem lower and can make the room feel too closed in.