The Dos and Don'ts of Accent Wall Design

An accent wall’s main function is to provide contrast to a space. It’s an easy and affordable way to express yourself and breathe life into a room. It will look great just about anywhere in your home if you do it right. Here are some general rules to keep in mind if you’re considering adding one.

Do

Do give wallpaper or contact paper a try. Wallpaper is durable, easy to maintain and relatively simple to install. And we’re not talking about that outdated floral wallpaper in your grandmother’s bedroom—wallpaper these days is much more stylish, and there are endless design options for you to choose from.

Do add accessories. If you pick a solid color for your accent wall, you may want to add some artwork to create a gallery wall. This will make the wall stand out and make even more of a statement. A big mirror centered on the accent wall will look nice, too, depending on the purpose of the room.

Don't

Don’t be afraid of bold colors and patterns. Lively colors and unique patterns are what make accent walls special, so don’t shy away from them. Follow the 60-30-10 rule: 60% of the room is the dominant color, 30% is the secondary color and 10% is an accent color. For the accent color, choose something that’s completely different than the dominant and secondary colors to make it pop.

Don’t choose the wrong wall. When deciding which wall you’d like to accent the room, it’s important that you choose the right one. You’ll want to go for the wall that naturally catches your attention when you enter the space. It should be mostly uninterrupted and rectangular. You’ll want minimal obstruction from windows and doors, unless they provide symmetry to the wall.

Paint Colors For 2022

Each year, major paint brands release their color of the year, meant to predict the colors that illustrate and symbolize the year ahead. Some retailers began revealing their 2022 colors as early as October 2021. There were a lot of greens and natural hues selected for the year, and all of the color selections have a common theme of nature, calmness and buoyancy. Here are a few of the hues picked by some top names in paint. Which of these 2022 colors feel right to you?

Behr:

Breezeway

Behr opted for a beautiful blue-green shade called Breezeway MQ3-21. The color is reminiscent of crystal-clear ocean water on a beachside vacation. It would go well in any room, depending on which accent colors you pair it with.

Benjamin Moore: October Mist

A soft, silvery sage green called October Mist 1495 is Benjamin Moore’s choice for this year. This green sets the foundation for the retailer’s entire 2022 color palette, composed of 14 nature-inspired pigments. This color would be best in spaces where creativity will be cultivated, like an office space or the kitchen. 

Sherwin-Williams: Evergreen Fog

Sherwin Williams’ Evergreen Fog SW 9130 is another organic soft gray-green. This color would be great for a living room space, inviting a refreshing and therapeutic spirit into the room. Warm earth-toned decor and accessories will best compliment the color.

Dunn-Edwards: 

Art and Craft

Whether it’s a built-in wet bar or a double oven in the kitchen, the cost of these amenities are reflected in the home’s final price. Ask yourself if you’ll really take advantage of these features before committing to the purchase.