Focal wall decor
25 Best Accent Wall Design Ideas
Leanne Ford Inndteriors
Does the idea of bright paint all over your house scare you to your very core? Does wild wallpaper make you feel claustrophobic at the mere mention of it? It's time to change all that with the humble accent wall. Which is to say, you can experiment with color, material, and pattern on your walls without fully committing to changing the foundations of the room. Accent walls can not only instantly transform a room, but they can change the vibe of your whole house. It sounds like it would throw your symmetry off balance, but it simply adds a touch of dimension, intrigue, and style. Ahead, check out some of the best designer-approved accent walls we've seen. After you browse through these, you may just want an accent wall in every single room of your home.
1
Curtains and Paint
Maude McEvoy
In Eliza Carter Harris's New York home, the designer painted one wall bright green and layered it with curtains to soften up the space and accentuate the high ceilings. Not to mention, it makes the perfect backdrop for a table that hosts flowers, books, and other treasured objects.
2
Upholstered Wall
Nathan Schroder
Upholstering a wall can add softness and help soundproof a room. For the bedroom of a Dallas home, designer Denise McGaha covered one wall in a Lee Jofa fabric for a relaxing touch.
3
Simple and Nature-Inspired
SEAN DAGEN PHOTOGRAPHY INC.
A wallpaper inspired by sediment from DropItModern adds elegance to this office designed by Rydhima Brar of Rterior Studio. The black and cream option establishes the room's bold, modern atmosphere.
4
Thin Wood Paneling
STEPHEN KENT JOHNSON
Thin custom wood paneling made of black walnut in this breakfast nook designed by Studio Shamshiri softens the white walls and concrete flooring that surrounds it. Custom blue cushions add a pop of color.
5
Rock-Climbing Wall
Suzanna Scott
If you're working on a kid's room, why not make the accent wall something they can play on, too? By building a rock-climbing wall, like this one in a home designed by Regan Baker, you'll add interest to the room and a fun source of exercise and amusement.
6
White Painted Brick
Stephen Kent Johnson / OTTO
Exposed brick can act as neutral accent wall, and painting them white can help achieve that coveted balance between contemporary and lived-in. Here, designer Shawn Henderson brought this 19th-century home back to its former glory by "stripping the apartment down to a more humble interior," says Henderson. He whitewashed existing pine floors and then added a faux brick wall to make it feel older.
7
Matching Pattern
FRANCESCO LAGNESE
Make furniture seamlessly blend into your accent wall by matching the wallpaper pattern to it, as designer Nick Olsen did in this
bedroom with a graphic navy wallpaper and matching upholstered headboard.
8
Orange Beadboard
Read McKendree
To brighten up a dark corner, panel a wall (or two!) in beadboard and paint them orange. In the mudroom of a Nantucket cottage, designer Kevin Isbell used Buttered Yam by Benjamin Moore.
9
Cozy Stone
ANNIE SCHLECHTER
For a cozy cottage feel, cover a wall with stone. In this primary bedroom, designer Cathy Chapman used various gray stones to give the room an earthy yet modern feel.
10
Accent Ceiling
Johnny Valiant
If you'd prefer to have a consistent neutral color on your walls, look to the ceiling for an opportunity to introduce an unexpected pop of color or pattern. A baby blue painted ceiling brightens up this Houston terrace designed by Celerie Kemble and Lindsey Herod, proving the concept works outside, too.
11
Black Box
Heidi Caillier Design
Interior designer Heidi Cailler gave this media room the black box theater effect without totally overwhelming the space by designating the deep marine paint on the TV wall.
12
Just a Splash
Tamsin Johnson
Natural stone is easily one of the most expensive surface materials money can buy. To cut costs but still spotlight a beautiful stone, just stick with one accent wall. In this kitchen designed by Tamsin Johnson, all eyes are on the smokey purple swirls of the wall ahead.
13
Hidden Door
Arent & Pyke
"'Moments’ rather than looks best encapsulate a home’s positive impact, and the ultimate moment experienced in Magnolia House is the slow and elegant descent down its new sculptural staircase, the metaphorical spine of both the home and the project," say designers Arent & Pyke. The jib door here is continuous with the baby blue painted paneling so as to not interrupt visual flow while also providing extra storage.
14
Bright and Bold
2LG Studios
A bright hue is the easiest way to make a statement in a small space. Paint one wall an energizing color, then add contrast with decor, like these blush pink chairs in a dining room designed by 2G Studio.
15
All Over Stripes
Mark Roskamas
This Manhattan guest room, designed by Amanda Darnell, uses a dynamic Kelly Wearstler wallpaper for Lee Jofa to unify its colorful artwork.
16
Just the Trim
Nicole Franzen
When you don't want to paint an entire wall, just paint the trims, moldings, or casings for a splash of color that breaks up the space. Here, GRT Architects opted for a soft lavender shade to soften the more saturated tones and to make the fluted interior glass pop even more.
17
Floral Punch
Heidi Caillier
If you don't have a massive mudroom, don't worry: Heidi Caillier designed a small makeshift mudroom in a little nook by the back entrance and elevated it with custom millwork, fresh throw pillows, and a charming wallpaper backdrop.
18
Floor-to-Ceiling Mirror Wall
In this hallway designed by Tamsin Johnson, a glam mirrored accent wall makes the space feel bigger while also doubling as a place to outfit check before running out the door.
19
Unexpected Backsplash
MARGARET AUSTIN
A unique firing process makes zellige tiles super resilient and therefore popular in kitchens and bathrooms. But elsewhere they can be functional as well: Designer Eva Holbrook put them around this hearth to protect the wall from heat and to make a style statement on the partial wall.
20
Statement Mural
Studio DB
When your formal dining room is also your everyday dining area, invest in pieces that deliver both form and function. In this Studio DB-designed space, the built-in velvet banquette is cozy and comfortable, but it also looks dressy and unusual lighting and beautiful wallpaper are easy ways to add character without taking up surface space. It doesn't get more regal than a de Gournay wallpaper but it's pricey, so you don't need to cover all the walls with it.
21
Pop of Sun
WILLIAM ABRANOWICZ
This bright yellow painted wall is a welcome, sunny surprise. But limiting it to an accent wall keeps the room feeling light, rather than making it feel a little claustrophobic.
22
Moody Texture
JENNA PEFFLEY
Black might sound terrifying, but it can add dimension and style in a surprisingly subtle way when you also choose a textured finish. Portola Paint's Roman Clay paint, pictured here, is a natural-mineral-based finish that looks much like Venetian plaster, though it's a little more subtle.
23
Warm Wood Planks
Courtesy of Sugar & Cloth
If you want to really make a statement, skip the mounted headboard in your bedroom and use your wall instead. This DIY wood statement wall can take your room from basic to farmhouse in an instant.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.
24
Subtle Pattern
Trevor Tondro
A large wall like this one can dominate a room if you go too bold or too dark, so stick to a neutral color in a subtle pattern. That way, you can afford to get a little more adventurous with your furniture and decor.
25
Fresh Paneling
Courtesy of Edyta & Co
If color is not your jam, don't stress—you can still try out an accent wall. Use grid wood paneling on one wall to create dimension.
See more at Edyta & Co.
Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.
Kelly Allen Associate Editor Kelly Allen is the current Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she covers design, pop culture, and travel for digital and the print magazine.
14 Beautiful Focal Point Ideas for Living Rooms
By
Deirdre Sullivan
Deirdre Sullivan
Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 05/11/22
The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto
What is a living room focal point? It is the "thing" your eyes land when entering a space. Think fireplace, window, artwork, or wallpaper.
Typically, a focal point faces the main entrance for your living room. Another good to know, while an area's focal point usually dictates furniture placement, your seating arrangement does not have to face it. Also, some spaces have more than one focal point. The following 14 examples share beautiful ways to create or optimize a focal point in your living room.
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This Living Room Has Three Focal Points
Alison Jennison InteriorsYour room may already have several focal points that you can accentuate with a plant or two and decorative shelving—case in point, this living room in a Brooklyn townhouse decorated by Alison Jennison Interiors. The spot has three gorgeous focal points. Rustic wood ceiling beams make the room feel bigger by drawing the eyes upward. The home's original antique, stone mantel and brick firebox provides an anchor for the furniture placement. The exposed brick walls are a robust architectural detail that adds warmth to the modern space.
8 Best Faux Fur Blankets to Buy in 2023
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How to Create a Focal Point Around a Weird Wall
HavenlyDecorating around a living room wall with an awkwardly placed bump out can be challenging. The décor experts at Havenly, an online interior design service, share a solution for the tricky dilemma. A large mirror centered off the sofa creates a striking focal point on the room's largest wall. A stylish grouping of gold objects, a floor lamp, bar car, and the metal starburst set on the far right wall provides asymmetrical balance.
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Create a Focal Point Using Wallpaper
Alvhem MakleriBold wallpaper can add focus to a room that lacks it. In this example spotted on the Swedish site Alvhem Makleri, a dramatic peonies wallpaper topped off with a large round mirror creates a dramatic focal point in a cookie cutter apartment. On the left is the room's second focal point. Framing the doorway leading to the small bedroom is a stylish gallery wall.
9 Ways to Use Wallpaper in a Living Room
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Grouping Furniture Around a Window Focal Point
Sheer and CompanyFurniture is typically grouped around a focal point as shown in this living room by Sheer and Company, a high-end interior design firm based in Austin, Texas. The window is the room's primary anchor. The gallery wall over the sofa and the corner shelving unit also add visual interest.
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Dramatic Red Brick Wall
Black and MilkIn this open plan urban apartment by Black and Milk, an interior design firm out of London, the red brick wall on the right is the living room's focal point. Painting the brick wall on the left white is what makes the red bricks stand out. The gold sofa and cityscape print helps to draw the eyes to the stylish sitting area.
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Paint a Wall Black and Create an Eye-Catching Gallery Wall
Philip GorrivanSometimes, all a room needs is an eye-catching gallery wall that serves as a focal point. The trick is mounting the artwork on a wall that is visible from the living room's main entrance as shown in this lovely Connecticut home by the New York City situated interior design firm, Philip Gorrivan. We appreciate how eyes cannot help but be drawn to the artwork thanks to the jet the black wall.
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Make a Plain Window Feel More Dramatic
Alison Giese InteriorsWhen you enter this living room by boutique interior design firm Alison Giese Interiors out of Northern Virginia, the large window grabs your attention. So it made perfect sense to decorate the area around the focal point. Two different seats, a leather lounger, and leopard chair carve out a spot to sit. A large white African Juju hat hangs from the wall. A potted tree adds a pop of greenery.
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Potted Tree Makes a Beautiful Focal Point.
Lynn KleonidasA sizable potted tree or a collection of smaller plants makes an attractive focal point as shown in this living room by California based interior designer, Lynn Kleonidas. There is a lot to consider when choosing the perfect plants for your home—lighting tops the list. The potted tree shown here is flouring because of the south-facing window.
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How to Turn an Empty Corner into a Stylish Focal Point
A Beautiful MessTurn a naked corner into an eye-catching focal point with this idea by the Elsie and Emma, the stylish bloggers behind A Beautiful Mess. Floor to ceiling artwork sets the stage for a small home bar.
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Perk up a Focal Point With Unique Features
The New Designer ProjectThe first thing you see when waltzing in this small living room is the window. To give the focal point some extra appeal, the creatives at the The New Designer Project based in Brooklyn created a Mondrian inspired display using thin wood strips painted black. For a pop of additional interest, they also built in a small shelf for decorative accents.
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This Shiplap Feature Wall is a Rustic Focal Point
NK LivingA rustic inspired shiplap feature wall is the focal point in this living room by U.K. based interior design firm, NK Living.
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Patterned Cement Tile Fireplace Makes Stylish Focal Point
Veneer DesignsVeneer Designs, an award-winning interior design firm out of Los Angeles, California created this boho-chic living room. The crowning jewel in the space is the patterned cement tile fireplace. It is a stylish focal point that feels thoroughly modern.
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Light Fixture as Focal Point
Lindsay PincusA Sputnik inspired light fixture steals the show in this living room by California based interior designer, Lindsay Pincus. The secret that makes this focal point work is size. A smaller light fixture wouldn't grab your attention.
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Dark Wall With Built-in Storage Doubles as Focal Point
Jenn Feldman DesignsA moody, dark wall with built-in storage can be a chic focal point. A, for instance, is this space by Jenn Feldman Designs in Los Angeles, California. Here is another décor tip. A navy blue or black wall will make a large flat screen seemingly disappear.
How to Create a Focal Point in Any Room
Watch Now: Tips for Decorating Your Home for Good Feng Shui
Repairs in the kitchen? These 5 tips for a successful interior are for you.
1. Tricolor Palette
Color is one of the fastest and least expensive ways to update a room. But great kitchen wall colors don't happen by chance. The secret is in the tri-color palette:
Color 1: An existing kitchen color that cannot be changed. It can be the color of countertops or cabinets.
Color 2: neutral of your choice. Use it for a new kitchen wall color that complements color 1. It will serve as your decor. nine0003
Color 3: a color that makes your kitchen unique. This is often a bold and unexpected color that works with your palette. Color 3 adds a pop to your kitchen. Use it as an example for your accessories such as bar stools, vases or kitchen utensils.
The best way to find the perfect tri-color palette is to take paint swatches in the shades you like and shuffle them around until you're happy with the combination. Once you've found your three-color palette, keep your paint set handy for accessories. nine0003
2. The best kitchen design ideas start with focus
Try to see your current kitchen décor the way a visitor would see it for the first time. Step into the kitchen and think about what you've noticed. The first thing you see, what do you like? If not, what would you notice first? Make this location and the nearest wall the focal point.
Tricks stand out and visually jump out at you. Compared to the rest of the kitchen, the focus is bold and unique. To create a focal wall in your kitchen, try one of the following methods:
- Paint your focal wall in the bold hue you've chosen for your kitchen's tri-color palette
- Hang a large piece of art on your focal wall
- Use textured, patterned or bright wallpaper
Be fearless dressing up your focal point - that's it just one wall.
3. Open shelving is the latest kitchen wall decor trend
If you've updated your kitchen design with fresh, trendy colors and a focal wall, it's time to add layers. The latest trend in kitchen design is open shelves instead of cabinets. This look brightens up the kitchen while creating a visual space, but requires you to tuck away all the spoons and mismatched glasses in fewer cabinets. nine0003
Instead of tearing up the upper cabinets, try updating your kitchen wall decor by placing one or two floating shelves on the exposed wall. Floating shelves come in a variety of styles and are easy to install. Keep floating shelf display elements minimal and color coordinated for the finished magazine.
For a bigger change, remove one or two kitchen cabinet doors and paint or wallpaper the back of the cabinet. You now have a new open storefront. To give a new life to the display, add LED lighting under the cabinet to highlight the elements. Battery powered lamps are available if cabinet wiring is a problem. nine0003
4. Carefully designed kitchen wall
Set your kitchen apart and add a touch of your own personality. Gallery wall collections are popular with designers and magazines because they are unique and make a boring wall interesting. Gather your favorite items together and use them as kitchen wall decor.
Modern kitchen design ideas for gallery collection:
Album covers
-Baskets
- Framed wallpaper or fabric swatches
- Wine dishes
- Antique blank frames in various shapes and sizes
- Variety of mirrors
There are no absolute design rules for kitchen gallery walls. Symmetrical, patterned, or loose placement are all good approaches. To save time (and extra nail holes on the wall), arrange your collection on the floor before hanging to ensure the best spacing and placement. nine0003
5. Personalize your kitchen wall with chalkboard paint
A can of black chalkboard paint is an inexpensive way to make a great accent accent in your kitchen. Black is a bold, eye-catching wall color and the perfect backdrop for your ever-changing crayon.
If you're short on wall space, a door or cabinet surface is another great board (and dinner menu). Don't forget the layer. A floating shelf or gallery wall collection on your chalkboard completes the unique look of your new inspired kitchen walls. nine0003
Floral Revival And How They Can Fit Into Your Decor 💡 Interior Design | HomeInteriorz.com
Floral Revival and how they fit into your decor
Like fashion, music, and art, the world of interior design is defined in many ways by the ebb and flow of trends. Styles and aesthetics come and go, grouped as they pass, into eras defined by their most outstanding pieces that live on as classics. It is important for an interior designer to be on trend. And being ahead of the curve - especially for furniture or textile designers - is even more important, which is why we spend so much time waiting for what's next. And while it can be easy for us to get tired of all the trends and trend reports, one of the best things about trends is that nothing you love is ever gone forever. What you loved and had to say goodbye to as his gaze faded or fad popularity came to an end always has the ability to find new life and new purpose in a few years. You may even find that some of the bigger trends you didn't really like are reinvented in a new way or from a new perspective that completely changes what you thought about them before. nine0003
The beauty of nature has always inspired people's creativity. As one of nature's most striking elements, flowers have received special attention from artists and designers. In decor, flowers were the standard in the 19s and 20s, appearing on everything from textiles and upholstery to wallpaper (so much wallpaper!) And even ceramics. Not the first time floral ideas were dominant in the design era, but by the time that had passed, more than a few of us had spent so much looking at our parents' curtains and our grandparents' wallpaper and tableware that was defined. that this will be the last. And yet, one of the biggest trends in 2016 was rebirth of floral patterns inside the house - and they look great. In room after room, people are finding new ways to bring out the outdoors with modern floral prints that complement the streamlined look of modern design with soft, natural flower lines in bloom. And the variety of options for jumping into this newly revived trend is nearly limitless. So, whether you're planning to cover an entire room with a sophisticated print, or want to highlight a space in your home by painting large-scale flowers on your wall, there are several ways to incorporate this fun and dynamic trend with a surprisingly modern look throughout your entire home. nine0003
Powder Rooms
Here's a designer tip: Whenever you're trying something new and you're not completely committed to the idea or completely sure how it's going to turn out, try it in your power room first. Powder rooms are great for experimenting with bold patterns and vibrant colors. The idea of completely covering a large room, such as a kitchen or master with floral wallpaper, can be intimidating. Powder rooms, on the other hand, tend to be quite small, a feature that brings with it several benefits for decorators looking to try out new ideas. First, if you're trying to change the scale of, say, paint or wallpaper covering the walls in your bathroom, don't require as much investment as it would take to complete the same treatment on the walls of a larger room, such as your living room or dining room. If you decide that the style you're experimenting with just isn't for you, it won't take long to cancel. And since we don't spend as much time in our down rooms as we do our dining rooms, bedrooms, or living rooms, you won't spend as much time as you want when the style isn't to your liking to fix things. So overall decorating in a powder room just doesn't feel that risky. But that's not the only reason why the bathroom is a good place to start with flowers. nine0003
Bathrooms are often one of the last places we consider decorating. As a result, they usually perceive a more sterile and functional look rather than an invigorating and inviting one. Decorating this space with flowers is an unexpected and lovely way to bring color into the space as well as a relaxing touch of nature. Both large and small florals work in small spaces such as powder rooms, giving you more options to find just the right patten. And, if you're looking to create a spa experience in your powder room, decorating your walls in a tropically inspired floral pattern is a great way to set the mood and create a sense of escape. It can be a wonderful design element for you and your family, as well as a pleasant surprise for your guests. nine0003
Laundry room
Just as designers are always on the lookout for new trends, they are just as relentless in finding new parts of the house to decorate. As a result, over the last couple of years there has been a lot more focus on designing and styling laundries. From a technical standpoint, displaying a bold floral shade in a laundry room is the same as displaying it in a powder room—given the similarities in size and tone between the two rooms. Like powder rooms, laundries are purely functional spaces that we don't usually expect when spending a lot of time. But that's pretty much what makes them such a great design opportunity. Let's face it, very few of us look forward to doing laundry, and to a large extent the look of our laundromats reflects our lack of enthusiasm for the time we spend there. But a laundromat decked out with vibrant images in a vibrant color palette might just help a little. speed up time. Since most closets don't offer much room for furniture and textiles, walls are your best bet for adding a strong decorative note to these rooms. When you bring a floral look to your dressing room, look for wallpapers that have a dark base color to make the flowers really pop. The whimsical sophistication of dark colors and the energy of vibrant floral patterns offer an easy way to bring high class into a space. After all, flora may not help you make better laundry, but you may want to spend more time in your laundry. nine0003
Cosmic Flowers for Kids
Nurseries and nurseries are some of the best places to display bold colors on the wall. It may seem a bit obvious at first, but only because it's true. Childhood is all about weight and color, and it's better to bring that spirit into a child's life than with bright, beautiful colors in their room. Flowers have a magical aspect, and a children's room is the perfect place to explore the fantasy side of flowers. When you call this trend into your home, look for patterns that are more whimsical than literal, offering creativity in the colors and shapes of flowers, trees, and even the sky. If you want to do even more freeform, why not take the paint in some fun colors and create your own floral designs? This is a fun DIY design that you and your kids can be proud of. If you end up using wallpaper or paint for your little one's room, there's something about flowers that are playful, young and fun. There is no doubt that your little one will have the coolest room on the block! nine0003
Features:
Just because you'd like to live in space with some floral flair doesn't mean you have to cover every wall in the room. A smaller statement can actually have a bigger effect, giving your eye something in a room from your subject's wall to stand out. In this dining room, the floral wall is the perfect moment between the contrast of the white ceiling and the dark floor. By incorporating both colors, the wall acts as a unifying element, creating a backdrop from which flowers have just exploded. So if you're covering your space with flowers just not for you, you can always try including flowers with one bold focal wall. nine0003
Floral art work
We'll get it. Paint and wallpaper take a lot of time, a small amount of money, and in the end can feel a lot more permanent than you want your relationship with flowers to be. If you're not quite ready to take your walls to a permanent display of floral patterns, try showing your love for flowers with paintings or artwork. One large floral print, standing alone or as part of a diverse and eclectic gallery wall, is a great way to bring this new and exciting trend to your home. Flower painting is also great in rooms that include real flowers as part of the décor.