WowMoments to Amaze in the Living Room: 20 Fabulous Accent Wall Design Ideas
A well-designed accent wall can instantly elevate the ambiance of a living room, turning it into a warm and inviting space that welcomes you and your loved ones. If you’re looking to add a wow moment to your living room, consider incorporating one of our 20 fabulous accent wall design ideas into your decorating plans.
The Magic of Accent Walls
Accent walls are all about creating a focal point in a room that draws the eye and sparks conversation. Whether it’s a statement piece of furniture, an arrangement of artwork, or a single wall clad in character-rich reclaimed wood or wallpaper, the options for creating a one-of-a-kind accent wall are endless.
Farmhouse Living Room Accent Wall Ideas
Farmhouse living room accent walls often incorporate architectural elements like freshly painted shiplap, wainscoting, board-and-batten paneling, and beadboard. These design elements can add depth and character to a room, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
1. Vertical Wood Paneling Accent Wall
The soaring vertical paneling in this converted barn’s living room draws the eye up to the impressive wood beams overhead. Leather furniture, baskets, and stacks of firewood add warmth to the soaring space.
2. Grasscloth and Wainscoting Accent Wall
On a family room accent wall of beige grasscloth above painted shiplap wainscoting, designer James Farmer arranged a mix of vintage French baskets of varying shapes and framed hunting-themed art around the television.
3. Wall of Windows Accent Wall
Talk about an accent wall! In this open-concept great room, floor-to-ceiling windows frame an ever-changing view of the lake for what we would argue is the ultimate accent wall. A cozy seating area near the windows makes for an ideal spot to soak up nature, while double sofas provide maximum comfort for a weekend crowd.
Living Room Accent Wall Paint Ideas
One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to create an accent wall is with paint. A bold, bright, or deep color can instantly transform a room, creating a warm and inviting space that welcomes you and your loved ones.
4. Black Paint Accent Wall
Matte gray-black paint is a sophisticated canvas for a casual gallery wall of framed and unframed family silhouettes, oil paintings, and a 1920s deer mount. We love this as one of our favorite black living room accent wall ideas – the artwork really pops!
5. Creative Wallpaper Accent Wall
We could not be more obsessed with this DIY living room accent wall idea! In place of standard wallpaper, take vintage book pages and decoupage them on your wall with wallpaper glue. The ones shown here are from vintage bird-watching manuals and maritime books, a nod to the home’s waterside location.
Unique Accent Wall Ideas
Sometimes, it’s the most unexpected design elements that can add the greatest impact to a room. Consider incorporating one of these unique accent wall ideas into your decorating plans for a truly one-of-a-kind living room.
6. Rock or Stone Accent Wall
This impressive accent wall of moss rock makes for the most amazing lodge-like vibes in this Minnesota living room. The stone is stacked tall to meet the timbered ceiling of white oak and elm.
7. Vintage Collections Accent Wall
Floor-to-ceiling painted shelves piled with prized collections, like ceramic vases, mercury glass compotes, plates, and more offer a revolving accent wall for collectors. Pro tips for the most pleasing visual arrangement: group like items in odd numbers and stagger heights.
8. Art Gallery Accent Wall
One piece of art is great, but a whole wall of art… that’s an accent wall! Keep the subject matter consistent for a more cohesive look, like in this arrangement of boat scenes and seascapes in the Maine home of designer Loi Thai.
Textured Accent Wall Ideas
Textured accent walls can add depth and dimension to a room, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Consider incorporating one of these textured accent wall ideas into your decorating plans.
9. Reclaimed Wood Accent Wall
A rustic reclaimed wood accent wall creates a quintessentially country focal point in this Texas living room. In fact, almost every building material in this house has lived a former life!
10. Wide Tongue-and-Groove Paneling Accent Wall
Ten-inch-wide poplar paneling on this cottage’s fireplace wall brings loads of character to the cozy living space. Painting the flat-front mantel, brick fireplace surround, and wall the same color is a smart small-space design trick.
Accent Wall Ideas for Small Spaces
Even in the smallest of spaces, a well-designed accent wall can make a big impact. Consider incorporating one of these accent wall ideas into your decorating plans for a cozy and inviting living room.
11. Unique Collection Accent Wall
This living room accent wall is clad in vertical shiplap painted a striking deep blue. For eye-catching – and budget-friendly! – wall art, hang one large basket on the wall as an anchor, then surround it with several smaller round baskets for a starburst effect.
12. Fireplace Nook Accent Wall
In her tiny bungalow, homeowner Bambi Costanzo transformed a completely blank nook into a curated accent wall that includes an electric firebox, an antique mantel wrapping a brick surround, lower shelves to display treasures, and a hodgepodge collection of landscape paintings.
13. Large Art Accent Wall
Sometimes keeping it simple is the best way to go. One oversized piece of art or architectural salvage, like this late 1800s weathered clock face, is all a wall needs to go from sleepy to statement.
Accent Wall Ideas with Natural Elements
Incorporating natural elements into your accent wall design can add warmth and texture to a room. Consider incorporating one of these natural accent wall ideas into your decorating plans.
14. Wall-to-Wall Art Accent Wall
For a one-of-a-kind accent wall, think outside the box and hang a collection of artwork wall to wall and ceiling to floor. It’s a fun look that can continue to evolve as you find new pieces to add to the arrangement.
15. Horizontal Wainscoting Accent Wall
This living room accent wall does double duty, with handsome forest green horizontal wainscoting on the lower half and a warm creamy white above that serves as a perfect backdrop for a unique arrangement of Adirondack-style and tramp art frames.
16. Grasscloth-Covered Accent Wall
In this tailored living room, the wall behind the sofa is covered in a grasscloth wallcovering that from far away reads solid but reveals its texture and varied shades upon closer sight. A grid of framed art fills out the space between the apple-green velvet curtains.
Fun and Whimsical Accent Wall Ideas
Accent walls don’t have to be serious – they can also be fun and whimsical! Consider incorporating one of these playful accent wall ideas into your decorating plans.
17. Hat Collection Accent Wall
Turn unexpected items into art for an accent wall that is sure to spark conversation. Here, in an Massachusetts beach cottage, a row of straw hats adds fun shape and texture to a white wall.
18. Bookshelf Accent Wall
Let’s talk about bookshelf wealth. A floor-to-ceiling library complete with a library ladder! in a Manhattan apartment is every book lover’s dream and sets the coziest scene for curling up by the stone-framed fireplace.
Accent Wall Ideas for Country Living
Accent walls can add a touch of country charm to any room. Consider incorporating one of these country-inspired accent wall ideas into your decorating plans.
19. Vintage Furniture Accent Wall
A piece of furniture that covers the entire back wall of this Texas living room makes quite a statement. The substantial apothecary cabinet houses collected yellowware and provides storage for linens, crafting supplies, and more.
20. Angled Wood Paneling Accent Wall
For a subtle yet clever twist on wood paneling, install it on an angle. Here, warm white paint on the ceiling and walls provides a clean backdrop for the khaki sofa and colorful rug.
What is an accent wall?
An accent wall is a focal point in a room that draws the eye and adds character to the space.
How can accent walls be created?
Accent walls can be created using architectural elements like shiplap, board-and-batten paneling, wallpaper, or paint in bold colors.
What are some farmhouse-style accent wall ideas?
Examples include vertical wood paneling, grasscloth and wainscoting, and wall-of-windows designs.
Can you provide paint ideas for accent walls?
Yes, ideas include using black paint, bold or deep color paints, and unique wallpaper designs.
What is an example of a creative wallpaper accent wall?
A DIY method using vintage book pages decoupaged onto the wall.
What kind of unique accent wall ideas are mentioned?
Unique ideas include rock or stone walls, vintage collections, and art gallery walls.
How can texture be incorporated into an accent wall?
Texture can be added through reclaimed wood, tongue-and-groove paneling, and grasscloth coverings.
What are some accent wall ideas for small spaces?
Ideas include using a unique collection like baskets, a fireplace nook, and a large art piece.
How can natural elements be integrated into an accent wall?
Natural elements like a wall-to-wall art installation, horizontal wainscoting, and grasscloth coverings can be used.
What are some fun and whimsical accent wall ideas?
Fun ideas include showcasing a hat collection or creating a bookshelf accent wall.
What kind of accent wall ideas are suitable for country living?
Ideas include using vintage furniture to cover a wall or installing angled wood paneling.
Can accent walls add depth to a room?
Yes, textures like reclaimed wood and tongue-and-groove paneling add depth and dimension.
How can a vertical wood paneling accent wall enhance a living room?
Vertical wood paneling draws the eye upwards and can complement wood beams or add warmth to a space with additional decorations.
