Accent Walls Tips: The Essential Dos & Don'ts - Pinnacle Painting and Decorating (2024)

17 Jan Accent Walls Tips: The Essential Dos & Don’ts

Accent Walls Tips: The Essential Dos & Don'ts - Pinnacle Painting and Decorating (1)

It feels like your home is missing something. You’re happy with the wall colours you’ve chosen, but something isn’t quite right. You want something a bit different, a little more exciting. Have you considered adding an accent wall?

Accent walls can:

  • Make a room feel bigger
  • Add more dimension in an ordinary space
  • Create a different section in a large room

Thinking about adding an accent wall to your home? Make note of these essential dos and don’ts:

Do: Take a Risk!

Accent walls are your opportunity to make a bold, daring, and unique choice. The whole point of an accent wall is to accentuate a select area of a room. Choose a colour that stands out. After all, you’re only committing to painting a single wall with it. Worst case scenario, you change your mind and only need to repaint a small area.

Don’t: Choose Too Many Colours

We recommend sticking to one accent wall per room. Picking two or three will dilute the effect; the room will feel like a collage of colours rather than a carefully designed palette.

Having a hard time landing on a colour palette? You can try this online tool called Coolors. It’s easy to make a custom palette and compare how different accents might look among other colours.

Do: Consider Placement

When a room has an accent wall, the eye is naturally drawn to it. What other features might someone notice? If you want to draw attention away from certain areas of your home, an accent wall can work for or against you.

For example, one area of the room may have a lower ceiling, which you want to conceal. Using an accent colour near the ceiling will have the opposite of that effect; it will only make people pay more attention to it. Instead, use an accent colour on the other side of the room.

In your home, try to select one or two rooms for an accent wall. Here are a few rooms where accent walls work great:

  • Bedrooms
  • Living rooms
  • Home offices

On the other hand, rooms where accent walls might not be the best choice, include:

  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Storage areas

Of course, each home is unique, and what works best in yours might be different from our suggestions.

Don’t: Choose a Wall with Too Many Interruptions

Along the walls, we often see windows, framed portraits, and doors. These elements break up an ordinary wall, but they might be distracting on an accent wall. Don’t let interruptions steal the spotlight from your accent wall. When you’re picking the placement, try to choose a smooth, blank wall.

If the room already has a lot going on, an accent wall may not be the best choice. It could make a busy room feel too crowded. In addition, you want to choose somewhere that a wall will stand out—not a dark corner where it will be forgotten.

Do: Think About Decorations

If your room already has a large decoration (like a painting, wallpaper, or fabric with patterns), the accent wall might clash with it. Instead, choose a colour that complements your decorations.

Do: Hire a Professional Painter

You only need to paint one wall—how hard could it be?

A DIY paint job might make an accent wall stand out for all the wrong reasons. Our professional painters will ensure that your wall is painted to perfection. You can’t replicate the look that a professional painter in Winnipeg offers. Contact Pinnacle Painting today!

Accent Walls Tips: The Essential Dos & Don'ts - Pinnacle Painting and Decorating (2024)

FAQs

What is the rule for painting an accent wall? ›

In order to not overpower your room's color scheme, professionals use a little rule called the 60-30-10 wall color rule to maintain the space's color balance. Simply put, 60% of your room will have the dominant color, 30% should primarily be the secondary color, and 10% the accent color.

What is the best way to paint an accent wall? ›

If you're painting a smooth accent wall, you'll want to choose a roller cover with a short nap. If you're aiming for a more textured look, go for a long nap roller cover. Although most of your painting will be done with rollers, you'll need some paintbrushes for smaller areas like trim, corners, and edges.

Where not to put an accent wall? ›

If the room already has a lot going on, an accent wall may not be the best choice. It could make a busy room feel too crowded. In addition, you want to choose somewhere that a wall will stand out—not a dark corner where it will be forgotten.

Are accent walls out of style in 2024? ›

Accent walls have consistently remained a go-to design choice for homeowners looking to update their spaces with ease and style. Given their versatility, timelessness, and emotional impact, it is highly likely that they will continue to be in style in 2024.

Is it outdated to paint an accent wall? ›

Top interior designers predict that accent walls will be in style for years to come. When a design element is timeless, it rarely falls out of fashionable favor. Accent walls are vital for bringing depth and character to a space that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who spends time there.

Should I paint the accent wall first? ›

If you decide to make your accent wall a DIY weekend project, then you'll want to be strategic with your interior painting process. Typically, your accent wall will be a darker, bolder color than the rest of the walls. So, you should paint the accent wall last.

What color should an accent wall be? ›

A dramatic accent wall can instantly transform the mood and energy of a space. Painting a wall in a rich, saturated hue like deep red, royal blue, or forest green instantly draws the eye. These bold colors add depth and visual interest, making a room feel more dynamic and alive.

Should accent walls be flat or satin? ›

Flat for the interior walls in all rooms if the drywall is smooth. Matte for all interior walls if the drywall is texture. Satin for any statement rooms or accent walls. Semi-gloss for all cabinetry, trim and doors.

How do you clean lines when painting an accent wall? ›

How to Paint a Clean Line in 4 Easy Steps
  1. Lay your tape as close to the desired line as possible.
  2. Using paint the color of the wall, paint along the edge, making sure that the paint seals the edge. ...
  3. After this dries, paint your new color over the top.
  4. Peel back the tape at a 45 degree angle and enjoy your clean stripe!
Mar 5, 2019

What color paint makes a room look bigger? ›

Lighter paint colors like off-whites, light neutrals, pales, and pastels give the illusion of larger, brighter rooms.

What are the cons of accent wall? ›

Because an accent wall is designed differently from its surrounding walls, it may feel out of place and dividing. If not done right, it would only chop up your space, and feel randomly placed, instead of actually being the highlight of the room.

Should an accent wall be lighter or darker? ›

It is usually suggested that an accent wall be darker than the other walls to create depth and drama, but this is not always the answer. If you intend for your ceiling to be the accent, and the ceiling is low, a lighter color is often the correct choice.

What is the number one color for 2024? ›

The Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2024 is Blue Nova. Benjamin Moore's Blue Nova is another mid-toned blue that balances the warm with the cool.

What is the trend in baseboards in 2024? ›

In 2024, expect to see homeowners and designers opting for sleek, unembellished wood trim that blends seamlessly with the walls and overall decor. Minimalistic baseboards with straight, simple lines will be a hallmark of modern interiors this year.

Is shiplap out of style in 2024? ›

Modern farmhouse continues to tiptoe out, taking shiplap and barn doors with it. Mid-century modern has slowed its takeover as well. Matchy-matchy and mass-produced furniture sets.

How to decide which wall should be an accent wall? ›

In general, the right wall to accent is usually the first one that you see when you enter a room. You and your guests will always have it in view. 2. Look for other architectural clues, such as a fireplace, built-in bookcases, or architectural nooks.

What is the accent wall principle? ›

Aesthetic Guidelines for Accent Walls

One such principle is the 60-30-10 rule. This rule suggests that 60% of a room should embody the dominant color, 30% a secondary color, and 10% an accent color. Your accent wall should synergize with your existing decor to establish a cohesive aesthetic ambiance.

What is the rule for painting walls with different colors? ›

Typically its best to follow the 60-30-10 rule which states that 60% of the room should be the dominant color, 30% should be the secondary color, and 10% should be an accent color. So when choosing a color you'll want something that's different from the 60% and 30% colors to make it pop.

Should accent wall be darker or lighter than other walls? ›

It is usually suggested that an accent wall be darker than the other walls to create depth and drama, but this is not always the answer. If you intend for your ceiling to be the accent, and the ceiling is low, a lighter color is often the correct choice.

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