When a home starts to feel drab and uninspired, many people
turn to new furniture or countertops to liven it up. While this certainly works
for some, these major alterations can be expensive and time-consuming.
Fortunately, there is an easier, more affordable and less
permanent option – a new accent wall. If you’re cringing at the thought of a
garish yellow kitchen nook or tacky peach wallpaper, cast those preconceptions
aside. The art of the accent wall is ever-changing, and you may be surprised at
the variety of options
at your disposal.
The first step is picking the wall you wish to decorate.
There’s no wrong answer here, but if you’re stumped, here are some popular
choices:
· The wall
you see first
– It’s already going to draw people’s attention when they
walk in the room, so you might as well make it the focus!
· The wall with
a big piece of furniture
– People like to gather around TVs, couches,
fireplaces and even appliances. If your stuff already makes a statement, an
accent wall can act as an eye-catching backdrop.
· A small
or half wall
– Dedicating a whole wall to an accent color can be
overwhelming. If you have a tiny space, try accenting a shorter wall or a wall
with a cutout, door or window.
· The
ceiling
– In already-cramped quarters, accent walls encroach on the limited
square footage. In this situation, get creative and add
a statement ceiling
instead! Planked ceilings are particularly trendy right
now.
Don’t be afraid to go bold. While you’d never paint your
whole living room bright red or orange, a brash hue can look surprisingly chic
when used sparingly.
The accent color should still complement your furniture and
the walls around it. Neutral tones tend to work well with bright accents,
whereas white and black set up a starker contrast. Whatever color you choose,
be sure the underlying tone is consistent. For example, a warm beige is likely
to clash with a cool purple.
It’s also a good idea to have hints of your accent color
scattered throughout the room. If your accent is a natural green, lay down a
rug with green detailing, repaint your picture frames green or consider adding
a few potted plants.
If you want more visual flair than a single color can
provide, think outside the box and experiment with:
· Patterns
–
If a solid color is too flat, embrace the organized chaos of a fun
pattern. You can do simple stripes or prints, pick out a unique wallpaper or
use a wall stencil for a truly original design.
· Textures
–
Treat your wall as a sculpture instead of a canvas. Would adding wood,
stone, bricks or tile transform the room? Does draping a luxurious fabric
curtain or tattered vintage tapestry change the mood? How about some geometric
molding to bring sophistication to the space?
· Light –
Sometimes a large span of windows or a sliding glass door is all you need for a
perfect accent wall. Stained glass, window grids and sheers can change the way
light diffuses in the room.
· Artistic
arrangements –
In some cases, you don’t need to alter the wall at all. Hang
a smattering of photos or a collection of doodads and mirrors to create a
gallery wall.
A well-done accent wall can take your room to the next
level, but a sloppy one can quickly become an eyesore. If you’re hesitant to
pick up a roller or brush, the crew at Arizona’s Best Family Painting has you
covered. We offer residential
painting services
to those in the greater Phoenix area and take great pride
in the quality of our work. Call us at (602) 606-2200 today for your quote!
