Which Wall Should Be the Accent Wall?

Which Wall Should Be the Accent Wall

An accent wall can transform the appearance of a room with minimal time and effort. Many spaces in a home can benefit from an accent wall, but which do you choose? Let our designers help you decide which wall should be the accent wall in any room of your Chicago home. 

Let Confidence Be Your Guide

Your accent wall's location is crucial to a room's overall aesthetic. Be confident that the wall you choose has a reason to have attention drawn to it. If you don't nail it, you risk your room looking off with an unintentional design. The wall you face while sitting is generally a good choice because it enhances the line of sight in an area and brings more attention to your chosen focal point. The opposite is also true if you're in a dining room or home office — an accent wall behind you can help your guest's attention stay focused on your direction. Whatever direction you choose, consider making your accent wall where you want to draw attention or where sunlight naturally draws focus.

Consider Architecture

The best accent walls are solid and symmetrical. Interruptions like doors and windows break up the wall's surface, giving it less impact than a featured wall. If you have to choose a wall with windows, ensure they are all the same size and shape so they're less distracting. The caveat to this rule is if you have exciting architectural details to highlight. These include a fireplace with an intricate mantel or custom built-ins. 

Don't Forget the Rest of The Room

If the wall you choose is covered mainly by large furniture, floor lamps, or art, it already draws attention. A hidden wall means that painting it another color will not bring the excitement you hope for. Accent walls also look better in larger or open spaces than small, enclosed ones. If an accent wall in one of the latter spaces is a must-have, choose a color that is only a few shades lighter or darker than the rest of the walls. This will help ensure the accent wall doesn't overwhelm the rest of the room. 

When In Doubt, Look Up

The 5th wall, aka the ceiling, is easy to overlook when choosing an accent wall. When it comes to interior design, creativity is everything. Painting your ceiling is a unique way to express yourself and introduce an unexpected pop of color to a room. You can choose a bold hue for your ceiling because you won't be looking directly at it the whole time you're in the room. 

Benjamin Moore Paint Store Near Chicago, IL

Our Black Friday promotion makes it easy to paint as many accent walls as you need. Buy 2, get 1 free on ben® Interior Paint, Regal® Select Interior Paint, and INSL-X Color-Changing Ceiling Paint from November 24th-26th.