Why is it stylish and fashionable?
Today, many people create apartment designs using this technique, but what is the reason for such popularity?
- An accent on one wall in the interior visually corrects the room and levels out its shortcomings – it will make a narrow room wider, a long one – shorter.
- Creating an accent wall charges the apartment with energy, enlivens it. The decoration looks more textured.
- The use of different colors and textures zones multifunctional rooms.
- The distinctive plane itself is an element of decor and helps to save on additional accessories.
What materials are they made of?
The main materials for decorating an accent wall:
- Wallpaper. In order not to overload the interior, where there are already drawings on the surfaces, use plain canvases. They can also be glued to plain “neighbors”, only by choosing a contrasting color. Wallpaper with a large or small pattern will perfectly complement plain ones.
- Paint. The principles of compatibility are repeated with wallpaper – cover the surface with one color, create a print or draw graffiti. Another option is slate paint, on which you can draw with chalk.
- Photo wallpaper. From a huge assortment of subjects, you will definitely find something that will suit your bedroom, living room or kitchen. The most interesting ones look abstraction, 3D effect and panoramas.
- Tiles. As with paint and wallpaper – use a contrasting plain or patterned one. Its use is justified in the bathroom, toilet, kitchen.
- Panels. Plastic, plaster, glass, fabric, foam – the choice of materials from which they are made is huge. Whatever you choose, this is one of the easiest ways to get a quality result.
- Stone. This includes both natural material and its imitation or porcelain stoneware. Most often used in wet areas, hallways.
The photo shows the use of red brick in decoration
- Brick. The most popular options are red or white, but a brick wall can be painted in absolutely any color.
- Concrete. An unusual texture for a loft can be made from decorative cement.
- Wood. Recently, laminate or parquet laid vertically has become popular, but slats or panels can also create an accent.
- Plants. Phytowalls are becoming increasingly popular as an easy way to get an unusual and useful decoration.
- Decorative plaster. Add texture to the wall, and cover it with any paint on top.
The last option does not apply to finishing, but it should be mentioned: furniture. If you place an unusual cabinet or shelving unit, this will also help to design an accent wall.
Which color is better to choose?
There are three color scheme options – a contrasting lighter, a contrasting darker and in tone with the rest of the surfaces, but with an ornament.
- Lighter – this means that if the rest of the space is dark, then the accent will be white, beige, gray or any other neutral color.
- Darker — on the contrary, on a light background the spot will be dark and bright colors.
- In tone — a green accent wall in a green space, white with pink flowers in a pink one.
The color palette also affects the perception of space:
- warm or dark shades bring objects closer;
- cold or light — move them away.
In the photo, the area behind the bed is highlighted
Choose a contrasting shade using the color wheel. It will also suggest harmonious combinations. There are 3 schemes for combining two colors:
- Opposite each other. These are the most active pairs: yellow + purple, orange + blue, red + green.
- On the side. The least extravagant pairs are yellow + green, blue + purple, red + orange.
- Bottom. The closer to the center, the lighter the shades. That is, combine the same color, but with different degrees of brightness.
What texture or pattern is suitable?
Finishing the topic of color, it should be noted: an accent wall in the interior can be in the same tone as the others, but it should be highlighted by texture. The most advantageous option in this case is a combination of opposites. Smooth with textured, plain with patterned, warm with cold. For example, paint with brick, plain wallpaper with patterns, stone or paint with wood.
The photo shows imitation stone texture
When choosing finishing materials with print, you should remember about various visual effects:
- horizontal stripes expand the space, use them on the short sides in narrow rectangular rooms;
- vertical lines raise the ceiling, suitable for low rooms;
- a small floral pattern increases the space, a large one reduces it. Any flowers soften the surrounding interior;
- wallpaper with small spots and dots align the walls and hide their defects;
- geometric prints set the rhythm, depending on the color and size, they also affect the perception of the room. They add brutality.
Which wall should be an accent wall?
An accent wall in the interior should be visible when entering the room, so it is best if it is located opposite the door.
In the living room, use the space behind the sofa or TV. The same applies to the bedroom – behind the headboard or opposite it. At the entrance, two accent walls are often made, highlighting the area with the door and the area adjacent to it.
The photo shows a decoration made of gypsum blocks
The choice also depends on the geometric shape. In narrow, elongated rooms, you should not emphasize the long sides. On the contrary, a short black accent wall with or without a window helps to visually align the space.
Partial decor of an accent wall is used for zoning – a narrow strip highlights a dining or work table, TV, shower stall.
The photo shows a panel of wooden hexagons
Ideas in the interior of rooms
Materials and techniques depend on the purpose of the rooms in the apartment.
Accent wall in the living room
We have already mentioned that most often the space behind the sofa or TV is highlighted.
The photo shows a black and white fresco behind the sofa
Do not choose too bright, flashy designs and shades for plasma, otherwise watching TV will be uncomfortable. Behind the seats, on the contrary, you can experiment with the design, because you will not see this area while you are in the hall.
Accent wall in bedroom
Decorate the entire area behind the bed in a small room or cover the width of the headboard in a large one. In the second case, soft or wooden panels, as well as other options for a headboard under the ceiling, look original.
The photo shows an example of an accent wall in a light bedroom
If the surface with texture – lighting from below or above will allow you to achieve an interesting effect and emphasize the texture.
Photo of an accent wall in the kitchen
The most practical solution is a kitchen apron across the entire width and height. It is mainly made of tiles, but panels, stone, and brick will also work.
The photo shows an apron across the entire width of the wall in the kitchen
The second possible area – dining. The different decoration around the table zones the room.
Children’s room interior with an accent wall
There are practically no rules for decorating a children’s room or a teenager’s room. Use decor for learning (geographic maps for schoolchildren, pictures with letters and numbers for toddlers), entertainment (black and white coloring or chalkboard surface) or decoration (3D wallpaper, photo wallpaper with characters from favorite fairy tales and cartoons).
The photo shows Scandinavian children’s wallpaper
How to decorate an accent wall in the bathroom?
Often the accent is placed on the sink, toilet or bathtub. In a separate bathroom, decorate behind the toilet, put up bright wallpaper or tiles. In a combined room, emphasize the shower or bathtub with contrasting tiles.
Options for the hallway
The accent wall in a narrow hallway is placed opposite the door and made darker. Or paint the door itself and everything around it in a deep, single-color shade. To decorate a long accent wall in the hallway, use paintings and photographs; this will distract from the irregular geometry of the space.
The photo shows a black and white hallway with a slate door