7 Ways to Create an Accent Wall Without Paint
Create a focal point in a room without having to bust out the painting supplies
I was chatting with a friend about a piece I wrote on accent walls, and he asked, “Can you only get an accent wall using paint?” It’s a good question. And the answer is a resounding no! My definition of an accent wall is simply a wall – or part of a wall – that has an eye-catching element that makes it the focal point. It is commonly created using an interesting paint colour, but that’s not the only way to get attention.
2. Wallpaper
Wallpaper fell out of favour a couple of decades ago but has lately been enjoying a run of popularity, especially papers that feature bold and colourful patterns or motifs.
Installing a wallpaper is a bit more work – and commitment – than slapping on a couple of coats of paint, but it allows you to adorn your walls with intricate designs and patterns that would be difficult to paint yourself, or expensive to hire someone else to paint for you.
Wallpaper fell out of favour a couple of decades ago but has lately been enjoying a run of popularity, especially papers that feature bold and colourful patterns or motifs.
Installing a wallpaper is a bit more work – and commitment – than slapping on a couple of coats of paint, but it allows you to adorn your walls with intricate designs and patterns that would be difficult to paint yourself, or expensive to hire someone else to paint for you.
3. Textiles
If you have interesting, oversized windows or a nice view to frame, think about adding dramatic, oversized window treatments to create a feature wall, as has been done above. Or mount a tapestry or carpet above a bed or sofa for an instant dash of colour and texture, as shown at left.
Check out these 6 unique window treatments
If you have interesting, oversized windows or a nice view to frame, think about adding dramatic, oversized window treatments to create a feature wall, as has been done above. Or mount a tapestry or carpet above a bed or sofa for an instant dash of colour and texture, as shown at left.
Check out these 6 unique window treatments
4. Plants
Bring the outdoors in with an accent wall of greenery. Plants not only help filter the air but are also thought to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
This is an especially nice option for city dwellers who lack an outdoor hangout space. With plants, plenty of natural light and a comfortable place to sit, you can almost fake a garden. Bonus: No bugs here!
Bring the outdoors in with an accent wall of greenery. Plants not only help filter the air but are also thought to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
This is an especially nice option for city dwellers who lack an outdoor hangout space. With plants, plenty of natural light and a comfortable place to sit, you can almost fake a garden. Bonus: No bugs here!
5. Tile
Looking for something more low-maintenance on the wall? Tile is a great choice, especially in areas that see a lot of traffic. Painted walls can get scuffed and dinged up, but tile can handle quite a bit of wear and tear without getting damaged.
Wall tile is expected in bathrooms and kitchens, but when you use it to create a focal point in less common places, such as a living room or dining room, it really stands out.
A tiling guide for every room
Looking for something more low-maintenance on the wall? Tile is a great choice, especially in areas that see a lot of traffic. Painted walls can get scuffed and dinged up, but tile can handle quite a bit of wear and tear without getting damaged.
Wall tile is expected in bathrooms and kitchens, but when you use it to create a focal point in less common places, such as a living room or dining room, it really stands out.
A tiling guide for every room
6. Architectural salvage
I love decorating with salvaged materials, because not only are you giving these pieces a second life and keeping them out of the landfill, but they also add character and are likely one-of-a-kind items that you aren’t going to spot in your neighbour’s home.
Whether you favour a modern industrial look, as above, or one that oozes charm, as at left, a visit to your local antique store or architectural salvage yard might turn up a piece or pieces that you can use to create your own unique accent wall.
I love decorating with salvaged materials, because not only are you giving these pieces a second life and keeping them out of the landfill, but they also add character and are likely one-of-a-kind items that you aren’t going to spot in your neighbour’s home.
Whether you favour a modern industrial look, as above, or one that oozes charm, as at left, a visit to your local antique store or architectural salvage yard might turn up a piece or pieces that you can use to create your own unique accent wall.
7. Lighting
Using lighting to create a feature wall is a bit more complicated than, say, employing plants or colourful books, but the reward for the expense and effort is a super-dramatic design element that can be customised to your space and taste.
Whether you favour a contemporary look, such as shown above with the line of wall-washing lights illuminating translucent panels, or a charming and romantic vibe, as at left, this is an accent wall that actually gets better as day turns to night and the lights can be dimmed to create a cozy ambience.
Read more:
10 Ways to Create an Unforgettable Accent Wall
Tell us:
How have you created an accent wall that didn’t involve paint? Please share a photo in the Comments below.
Using lighting to create a feature wall is a bit more complicated than, say, employing plants or colourful books, but the reward for the expense and effort is a super-dramatic design element that can be customised to your space and taste.
Whether you favour a contemporary look, such as shown above with the line of wall-washing lights illuminating translucent panels, or a charming and romantic vibe, as at left, this is an accent wall that actually gets better as day turns to night and the lights can be dimmed to create a cozy ambience.
Read more:
10 Ways to Create an Unforgettable Accent Wall
Tell us:
How have you created an accent wall that didn’t involve paint? Please share a photo in the Comments below.
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Whether you favour a collection of multiple objects, such as shown above, or one large, bold piece, like at left, a wall populated with art is a terrific way to create a focal point.
It’s an especially smart decorating move in a space with no (or very few) windows, because you likely have a large, open expanse of wall on which to hang art, and damage to the art from UV rays is less of an issue.
Take a look at these 10 ways artworks can bring your walls to life