Before you even think about color, decide if your accent wall will be a subtle backdrop or a bold statement. This decision drives material choice, budget, and installation complexity.
Paint: the most common accent wall choice
Paint is the go-to for accent walls because it’s affordable and relatively easy to change. However, a poorly chosen color or finish can make your living room feel smaller or dated.
Choosing the best accent wall colors
The best accent wall color for your living room depends on several factors: the existing color palette, the amount of natural light, and the mood you want to create. For a sophisticated look, consider deep jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, or deep burgundy. These colors add depth and a touch of luxury. If your room is small or lacks natural light, opt for lighter, brighter shades that can visually expand the space. Think soft blues, sage greens, or even a muted lavender. For a modern, minimalist aesthetic, consider charcoal gray or a crisp off-white. These neutral tones create a clean backdrop that highlights artwork or furniture.
Consider the psychology of color. Blues and greens are calming and promote relaxation, making them ideal for a cozy living area. Reds and oranges are energizing and can create a vibrant, dynamic atmosphere, but use them sparingly as they can be overwhelming. Yellows can bring warmth and cheerfulness, but a too-bright shade can be jarring. Always test paint samples on your wall in different lighting conditions throughout the day before committing.
Paint finishes and their impact
The finish of your paint matters. Matte finishes absorb light and hide imperfections, making them great for textured walls or older homes. However, they can be harder to clean. Eggshell and satin finishes offer a slight sheen, are more durable, and easier to wipe down, making them excellent choices for high-traffic living areas. Semi-gloss and gloss finishes are highly reflective and durable, perfect for trim or doors, but they highlight every flaw on a wall, so a perfectly smooth surface is essential.
Calculating paint needs
Measure the width and height of the wall you plan to paint to get its square footage. Most standard gallons of paint cover about 350-400 sq ft per coat. It’s wise to buy a little extra for touch-ups, especially if you plan on two coats.
Wallpaper: adding texture and pattern
Wallpaper offers a vast array of textures, patterns, and colors that paint can’t replicate. It can instantly elevate a room and create a unique focal point.
Types of wallpaper for living room accent walls
The most common types of wallpaper you’ll encounter are:
- Paper wallpaper: The most traditional and often the least expensive. It’s less durable and can be prone to tearing or water damage.
- Vinyl wallpaper: Durable, scrubbable, and water-resistant, making it a good choice for living rooms. It’s thicker and can hide minor wall imperfections.
- Non-woven (or ‘paste-the-wall’) wallpaper: Made from a blend of paper and synthetic fibers. It’s breathable, easy to hang and remove, and more forgiving than traditional paper.
- Textured wallpaper: Includes materials like grasscloth, linen, or even embossed designs. These add significant depth and a tactile quality to the wall.
- Peel and stick wallpaper: A popular DIY option. It’s adhesive-backed, allowing for easy application and removal without damaging the wall underneath, making it ideal for renters. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for longevity and suitability for accent walls.
For a more involved project, consider master bedroom wallpaper accent wall guides, as the principles often overlap.
Choosing the right wallpaper pattern
Geometric patterns can add a modern, structured feel. Floral or botanical designs bring in a natural, organic element. Abstract prints offer a contemporary and artistic touch. Consider the scale of the pattern relative to your room size. A large, bold pattern can overwhelm a small room, while a tiny, intricate pattern might get lost in a large space. Always buy an extra roll to account for pattern matching, which can result in significant waste.
Installation tips for wallpaper accent walls
Proper wall preparation is crucial. The wall must be clean, dry, and smooth. Fill any holes or cracks and sand them smooth. If you’re using a traditional wallpaper, you’ll need to apply paste to the wall or the paper itself, following the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. For peel and stick, ensure the wall surface is clean and free of dust or grease, as this will affect adhesion. Start at a corner or a visible edge and work your way across, smoothing out air bubbles as you go. Use a sharp utility knife to trim excess paper at the ceiling, baseboard, and around outlets.
Wood and paneling: adding warmth and dimension
Wood accents bring natural warmth and a sense of rustic charm or modern sophistication, depending on the type and finish.
Shiplap and beadboard
Shiplap, with its distinctive overlapping planks, offers a relaxed, farmhouse aesthetic. Beadboard, characterized by its vertical grooves, provides a classic cottage or traditional look. Both are typically installed vertically to enhance ceiling height or horizontally to widen a space.
- Material: Pine, poplar, or MDF are common choices. MDF is generally more affordable but less durable than solid wood and susceptible to moisture.
- Installation: Shiplap and beadboard can be purchased as individual planks or in larger panels. They are usually nailed directly to the drywall. Ensure you locate wall studs for secure fastening.
- Finishing: You can paint, stain, or leave them natural. A clear coat can protect the wood and enhance its natural grain.
Reclaimed wood
Reclaimed wood adds a unique, rustic character. Each plank has its own history, knots, and imperfections. This material can be pricey and requires careful cleaning and sealing to prevent splinters and pests.
Wood slat walls
Wood slat walls, featuring vertical or horizontal wooden strips, are a contemporary trend. They add texture and visual interest without being overwhelming. They can be made from solid wood or veneer over MDF or plywood.
Installation of wood paneling
Installation requires more tools and precision than painting. You’ll need a saw (miter saw for precise cuts), a level, a measuring tape, and a nail gun or hammer. For shiplap and beadboard, ensure each piece is level and fits snugly against the previous one. For slat walls, precise spacing is key. Always account for electrical outlets and light switches, cutting openings carefully.
Other materials for accent walls
Beyond paint and wood, other materials offer unique ways to create a striking accent wall.
Brick and stone veneer
Real brick or stone can be beautiful but adds significant weight and cost. Thin veneers, made from real stone or brick or from synthetic materials, offer a similar look with less weight and easier installation. They typically adhere to the wall with a strong adhesive or mortar.
Metal panels
Corrugated metal or decorative metal sheets can provide an industrial or modern edge. These are usually lighter than stone but require careful cutting and handling due to sharp edges.
Tile
While common in kitchens and bathrooms, tile can also be used for a statement living room accent wall. Large-format tiles can create a seamless, dramatic look. Consider porcelain or ceramic for durability. Installation involves adhesive and grout, similar to a kitchen backsplash.
Accent wall ideas for every room
While this guide focuses on the living room, the principles apply elsewhere. For instance, you can find accent wall ideas for small bedrooms that emphasize space-saving techniques.
The fireplace wall
If your living room has a fireplace, that wall is a natural focal point. Extending an accent material—like stone veneer, dark paint, or wood paneling—from the floor to the ceiling around the fireplace can create a stunning architectural feature.
The TV wall
Many living rooms feature a TV as a central element. Instead of letting it be a black hole, consider an accent wall behind it. Textured wallpaper, dark paint, or even built-in shelving with wood paneling can make the TV area more integrated and appealing.
The bookshelf wall
A wall lined with bookshelves can become a stunning accent. Painting the interior of the shelves a contrasting color or covering the wall behind them with a bold wallpaper or wood slats can transform this functional area into a design feature.
The art wall
If you have a significant art collection, dedicate an accent wall to showcase it. This might involve a specific paint color that complements your art, or installing track lighting to highlight your pieces.
Finding the perfect color for your accent wall
Selecting the right color is critical. Consider the overall mood you want to achieve. Do you want the room to feel calm and serene, or energetic and vibrant? For a calming effect, shades of blue, green, or soft grays are excellent choices. For energy, consider warmer tones like terracotta, deep reds, or even a bold ochre, but use these strategically.
Think about contrast. If your furniture and other walls are light-colored, a dark accent wall can provide a dramatic counterpoint. Conversely, if you have dark furnishings, a lighter accent wall can prevent the room from feeling too heavy. Consider the light in your room; colors can appear significantly different in natural versus artificial light, and at different times of day.
Complementing with accessories
Once your accent wall color is chosen, coordinate your accessories. If you’ve gone with a bold blue wall, bring in accents of navy, lighter blues, and perhaps a contrasting color like a mustard yellow or a soft coral. Throw pillows are an easy way to introduce color and texture. For example, yellow accent pillows for a brighter living room can add a pop of sunshine against a neutral wall, while floral accent pillows for a blooming living room can tie in with a botanical-themed wall.
Where to find paint
You can find paint at major home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s, as well as dedicated paint stores such as Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams. Many hardware stores also carry a selection of paint brands.
Find a paint store near you
To find a paint store near you, simply use your preferred search engine and type “paint store near me” or “Benjamin Moore store near me” (or your preferred brand). Online store locators on brand websites are also very helpful.
Installation mistakes to avoid
Even with simple materials like paint, errors can be costly. Rushing prep work is the most common mistake. For paint, this means not cleaning the wall properly, leading to poor adhesion or an uneven finish. Not using painter’s tape correctly can result in bleeding color onto adjacent surfaces. For wallpaper, not allowing enough dry time for the adhesive or not booking the paper (if required) can lead to bubbles or seams splitting. For wood paneling, not ensuring pieces are level or not properly locating studs can lead to a crooked or insecure installation.
Wall murals as an accent
For a truly unique and artistic accent wall, consider a wall mural. These large-scale graphics can transform a room with a single image, from a serene landscape to a bold abstract design. Proper sizing and installation are key.
When planning a wall mural, accurate measurements are essential. You can order custom-sized murals or trim standard sizes to fit. Preparation is similar to wallpaper: the wall needs to be clean, smooth, and dry. Many murals come in panels that are applied sequentially. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application, often involving a specific adhesive or pre-pasted surfaces. For detailed guidance, refer to a Wall Mural Living Room Guide: Sizing, Prep and Install.