DISCOVER 12 Incredible Wall Features That Will Completely Transform Any Space in Your Home!
Transform your space with stunning accent wall features!
Are you working on the next room in your house and trying to decide what accent wall feature to put in it? You could be bold and creative or go the classy, straightforward route. You could also put the wall feature on all the walls in a room or one. You really have the creative freedom to do whatever you want.
A wall feature adds texture and visual interest and can be a focal point that grounds the whole room. When deciding what feature to use in your space, there are a few things to consider. You will want to know the cost of materials before beginning, and you will want to focus on the style of your house to create a cohesive design throughout your home. Some people like having creative freedom and don’t focus on one style but have a mix of styles; this is called ‘eclectic.’ If you have an eclectic home, then you don’t have to focus as much on creating a cohesive style throughout your house, but maybe think about what style you are trying to achieve in the space you are working on. Your home is uniquely YOU!!
Below is a list of accent wall features you can choose from before deciding what fits your home best.
Shiplap—While shiplap was initially hidden behind sheetrock or wallpaper, Joanna Gaines popularized it as a design feature for a modern farmhouse style. This wall feature is seen in many contemporary (modern) homes today and isn’t exclusively ‘farmhouse.’ You can lay your shiplap vertically or horizontally.
Board and Batten—Board and Batten is a style of interior paneling that uses hardboard, batten molding, and 1×3 boards. The battens are thinner pieces that are supposed to cover the seams of the hardboard. Today, though, people discard the hardboard altogether and use 1×2 or 1×3 for an easier and more cost-effective option. This wall feature can look traditional or modern depending on the materials you use and the furniture pieces surrounding it. This feature looks good in an entryway, dining room, mudroom, and bedroom.
Wainscotting– Wainscot means: “an area of wooden paneling on the lower part of the walls of a room.”
Similar to Board and Batten, Wainscotting is usually no taller than one-third of the wall height. If you have 8ft tall ceilings, your paneling would be 32in tall. Wainscotting can look more colonial with thin molding pieces or make it more modern using thicker boards. This is a pretty inexpensive way to add a feature wall to your dining room, stairwell, or bedroom.
Picture Frame Molding and Box Molding are other types of wainscotting.
Bead Board—Again, it is a type of wainscotting because it is usually applied to the bottom part of a wall, but it is different because vertical lines run through the boards, giving a beaded look. This is most commonly seen today and is used in bathrooms, hallways, and mudrooms.
Geometric Shapes—Using thin molding or thick boards, you can transform a bedroom wall with a geometric or abstract design feature. This creative option can give your bedroom or space a contemporary look, but depending on the design and the material you use, this look can also appear rustic. This can quickly turn into a complex and difficult feature wall, so make sure you take all your measurements and draw out the design beforehand to ensure you have everything you need.
Wallpaper– A traditional interior design style that now has an easier application process. Wallpaper is a great wall feature option for a bathroom or bedroom wall, but really, it can look good anywhere. Wallpaper is super versatile with endless design options; you can match wallpaper to any style. The downside to consider with peel-and-stick options is that it has to be applied to flat walls. Any texture on the wall, and it doesn’t adhere for long, if at all.
Decals—I love adding decals to walls for a nice pop of interest. This is one of my favorite options because it is renter-friendly, budget-friendly, and a good option for people who like to change things up often. Decals are like strong wall stickers! They are super easy to apply and easy to remove. I have bought some from Amazon and design websites; none of them have ever peeled off paint or sheetrock upon removal.
Paint– By far the cheapest option and the most beginner-friendly, painting a wall or two in any room can transform a space all on its own. I am a huge fan of painting walls as accent features. If you are on a budget but want to make an impact, paint a wall! You can paint the whole wall, paint ¾ of a wall, and add stripes or arches. There are endless ideas when it comes to painting.
Mix and Match—This option is fun because it really makes a space pop. Try board-and-batten on the bottom part of the wall and add peel-and-stick or wallpaper on the top. Depending on the style of wallpaper and wood material used, this style could look modern, farmhouse, cottage, or rustic. This is a creative option because you can really do whatever you want.
Slatted Wood Feature—Slatted wall features are pieces of wood placed close together, creating privacy, warmth, and character. When stained, this feature will look very mid-century or rustic. If painted, it can look more contemporary. Not only is this a feature for a wall, but you can also create a slatted divider to separate a room. This is common in Japanese architecture. You can add this feature to a laundry room, bedroom, kitchen, entry room, or even outdoors.
As you can see, there are so many ideas, and there is no “one size fits all” option in interior design. Get out there and be creative. Make your house a home.
