How to Choose an Accent Wall and Color
An accent wall or feature is a creative way of adding importance, excitement and a little drama in a space –more like an exclamation mark at the end of a sentence. You can use accent to introduce a sense of architecture and shape in an otherwise dull room. If you want to create a focal point or emphasize an existing one in any space, you will least likely go wrong with an accent wall.
However, picking the wrong wall or item might make your space look odd and even confusing –which is why you should pick your wall carefully. In this article, we will be sharing a few tips on how to pick the best accent wall and color for your interior space.
Picking the Wall
Find a Natural Focal Point
The focal point in your room is a natural surface to create an accent wall. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the first wall you see when you first walk into the room, but rather, a unique or interesting wall. For instance, if it’s a room with a fireplace, a built-in bookshelf or a distinctive architectural feature, highlight such elements using an accent. If it’s your bedroom, the wall behind your headboard is a great choice for an accent wall.
If You Don’t Have a Focal Point, Create One
If your room doesn’t have a natural focal point, you might have to create one. In this case, consider the position of elements like decorative furniture which when placed against an accent wall can create a focal point. If you have a collection of art items or family photos that you want to hang, you can showcase them against the accent wall’s backdrop. Look around your room and find out if there is anything you would like to highlight.
Pick a Solid Wall
Many homeowners are often tempted to “frame” the windows and doors using an accent wall. However, any wall that has openings such as windows, doors, and peepholes doesn’t make a good accent wall. Your accent might end up competing for attention with the view of the beautiful scenery offered by your window. The natural light from the window/door might also alter how your accent color looks like and the results may be anything but desirable.
Symmetry
If you’re working with a long, skinny or oblong room whose walls aren’t symmetrical, consider accenting the shortest wall. Accenting the long walls will make them appear even longer and this might throw your space off-balance. Accenting the furthest wall has the opposite effect –it makes the wall appear nearer and balances your space. If you’re considering choosing just one of the many rooms you have for accenting, you should probably skip the asymmetrical room.
Tips on Accent Color Choice
• Favor muted colors over bold ones: trendy bright and bold colors can be great for creating an accent wall –especially if you’re looking for a bold and dramatic statement wall. But what happens if the trend is no longer fashionable? So instead, choose muted or neutral colors that won’t go out of trend.
• Choose a darker color than the adjacent walls: your accent wall will look more natural if it’s darker than the other walls. In addition, the accent wall should coordinate with colors on the adjacent walls.
• Complement the existing color scheme: this might sound obvious, but it’s really important. The easiest way to do this is by picking a color in the same color scheme as your existing walls, but make the accent wall 2-3 shades darker.
• Consider the items that will be placed in the background: you don’t want your furniture pieces, wall art, and other decorations to clash with the wall color, or blend in and disappear on the new color background. Make sure there is enough contrast.
Bottom Line
An accent wall is a creative way of introducing excitement and highlighting interesting items in your living space. But as you might have already noticed, painting an accent wall requires skills and experience. If you need professional help painting an accent wall or interior painting in general, Brush & Roll Painting can help. Give us a call today for more details.