DRESSING UP THE ACCENT WALL
So you’ve decided to take the plunge and dedicate one wall of your living space as a True Fashionista accent wall. Congratulations! The accent wall can be a leap of faith, as it takes a little bit of foresight to choose the best color then dress it up just right because it’s a fact: once it’s painted, said wall will then become the room’s focal point.
WHICH WALL?
Choose a wall that preferably has no windows or doors to break up the color flow. Remember that light from adjacent windows will only serve to make the accent color look dark or blend in completely during the day. If your room is oblong, you’ll want to go with the farthest short wall to draw attention. The accent color, says housepaintingtutorials (because yes that site exists) will make the wall appear closer to you, thereby levelling out the shape of the room, if only to the eye. If the room you’re considering is a bedroom, choose the wall behind the headboard.
CHOOSE YOUR COLOR WISELY
The most common paint type and finishes used in bedrooms are water or latex-based paint with an egg-shell, satin or semi-gloss finish. Obviously, recommends Diana Hathaway Timmons for The Spruce, you’ll want a color that works well with your other colors in the space. Just watch out for neutral colors. As simple as they are, they possess color hints that might not fit your accent wall. Faux-finish accent walls are still very much in style, just not all the rage as they once were. Shall you endeavor to go the way of the faux, you might want to consider taking a free workshop at your local home improvement store to really get the hang of it. You could also bounce your accent color off that of furniture or throw pillows already in the room. When all else fails, go for basic and make your accent wall the same color as the other three, just two or three shades darker. Foolproof!
DRESS UP THE WALL
Beyond that single color, wall stencils will beef up your accent wall quite nicely, such as those by Royal Design Studio. Wall stencils utilize those neutral colors to highlight the pattern. Temporary wallpaper is also budget-friendly and a huge trend these days. Oft-referred to as “renter’s wallpaper”, this product is removable and requires no water or paste. Think of it as a stylish look without the commitment, whether you rent or own your home. Temporary wallpaper accents work great behind a headboard or in a room lacking any standout architectural features. A delicate floral pattern works well here or just go with the stripes trick. Just like clothing, stripe direction makes all the difference. Vertical stripes can make your ceiling look taller; horizontal stripes can make your room appear larger.
Tile or reclaimed wood are also bold statements for your accent wall. Reclaimed wood is especially popular at the moment in home décor, and they’re as easy as peel-and-stick wood panels. Tiles are available in peel-and-stick as well, or if your budget allows, glass tile presents a real luxury look.
Have you no obvious True Fashionista accent wall? Create one! Select the best wall (using the above suggestions) and decide what you’d like to showcase, be it something like a favorite painting, potted plant or unique piece of furniture. With your beautiful accent wall as background, that item will shine in the spotlight.
Find an ever-updated collection of furnishings and accents to add to your accent wall at True Fashionistas Home. Shop either online or in-store.