19 LIVING ROOM ACCENT WALLS TO REFRESH YOUR SPACE
The living room is frequently used in your home, so it receives much attention. And an accent wall is perfect for bringing style and personality to your space! An accent wall in your living room can beautifully integrate colors, designs, and functions regardless of your decoration theme.
You can create this feature wall regardless of the size of your living room. Whether you have a small area or a large space, you’ll find various ideas using board and batten, a feature TV wall, paint, your favorite wall art and so much more!
One of the benefits of an accent wall is that it introduces depth. It converts a flat, dull space into a dynamic focal point, instantly drawing the eye and adding character to your living room. This transformation enhances the visual appeal and creates a sense of dimension, making the entire space more engaging and thoughtfully designed.
Study my guide on creating stunning and creative accent walls. You’ll find step-by-step instructions to create a similar look for your space, or mix and match some of these ideas for a living room wall that’s perfect for you!
Grab your favorite beverage, pen, and paper for notes. Take your time, study the images, and enjoy! Let your interior designer loose!
1. BOARD AND BATTEN ACCENT WALL
Add A Cozy Touch With A Dark Board And Batten Wall
To create a cozy vibe like this, install a dark board and batten accent wall to add depth and texture to your living room. Pair the wall with neutral, cozy furniture, like a soft gray couch layered with plush throw pillows and blankets.
Enhance the ambiance by using a coffee table with a pillar candle tray that adds a smooth, flickering glow. Hang artwork with tones that tie everything together to add a finishing touch to your accent wall for a serene, cozy living room!
2. Framed Painting Accent Wall
Create An Elegant Accent Wall With A Painting and Wall Sconces
To create an accent wall like this, paint it with a calming, muted blue tone like Benjamin Moore’s Breath of Fresh Air, which provides a serene canvas for your living room. Center a large framed painting that complements the wall color, highlighting it with wall sconces on both sides to draw attention and add a warm glow.
Pair the accent wall with soft, neutral furniture, like a cream-colored sofa, and accessorize with cozy pillows and a plush throw to enhance the ambiance. Finish this look by adding touches like a vase of fresh flowers and ambient lighting, creating a living room that feels both elegant and peaceful.
3. WOOD SLAT ACCENT WALL
HANG WOOD SLAT PANELING FOR A TV ACCENT WALL
To create a living room with a distinctive TV accent wall like this, begin by hanging wood slat paneling on the wall behind the TV, opting for a warm wood tone to contrast against a white background for a modern look. Complement the accent wall with low-profile, modern furniture in light colors, and add a few minimalist decor items to maintain a clean and airy atmosphere.
To enhance the ambiance, select soft textiles like a cozy throw blanket and a textured rug, adding layers of comfort to the space while keeping the focusing on the elegant simplicity of the wood slat TV accent wall.
4. BUILT-IN SHELVING ACCENT WALL
MAKE YOUR WALL STYLISH AND FUNCTIONAL WITH BUILT INS
To create a living room like this, make your wall both stylish and functional by installing built-in shelving around a central fireplace, painting them a bold black to make a dramatic statement. Utilize the shelves to display a mix of personal items like books, plants, and curated decorative pieces that reflect your style and personality.
Incorporate comfortable seating with plush sofas and accent pillows, giving the room a welcoming feel and the built-ins serve as a sophisticated backdrop that marries aesthetics with utility.
5. CURVY DECOR ACCENT WALL
ADD VISUAL INTEREST WITH CURVY WALL DECOR
To create a living room with a serene and stylish vibe, add visual interest with a large piece of curvy wall decor and a curvy wall mirror that introduces a dynamic yet soft form to the space.
Keep the surrounding walls in neutral tones to let the textured wall feature stand out and infuse the room with a calming aesthetic. Balance the soft curves of the wall decor with plush, comfortable seating, and rounded decor elements, like a unique coffee table and ceiling light, to complete the look.
6. HERRINGBONE ACCENT WALL
MAKE A STATEMENT WITH A HERRINGBONE ACCENT WALL
To create a statement living room like this, construct a herringbone accent wall by arranging wood panels in a zigzag pattern and painting them a bold color, like matte black, to create depth and texture.
Complement the dynamic accent wall with sleek, modern furniture and a neutral color scheme to allow the wall to stand as the focal point. Add a sophisticated lighting fixture above to cast intriguing shadows and highlight the wall’s intricate design.
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7. WOOD AND MINIMALIST ACCENT WALL
GO MINIMALIST COZY WITH WOOD
To create a minimalist, cozy living room like this, install a wood slat accent wall to bring warmth and texture to the space while maintaining a clean and simple aesthetic. Place a standing lamp and console table in front of the paneling for a warm, aesthetic feel.
Opt for neutral-toned furniture with clean lines to complement the natural look of the wood strips. Accessorize with soft textiles and a few well-chosen decor pieces to add comfort without overwhelming the serene vibe created by this accent wall.
8. LARGE ART PIECE ACCENT WALL
CREATE A FOCAL POINT WITH ONE LARGE ART PIECE
To design a living room accent wall like this, create a focal point by hanging a piece of large wall decor that commands attention and sets the tone for the space.
Opt for a dramatic artwork with bold textures or contrasting colors to stand out against a neutral wall. Complement the statement piece with a balanced arrangement of smaller framed art to maintain visual interest throughout the room without overshadowing the main attraction.
9. BOOKSHELF ACCENT WALL
USE BOOKSHELVES TO CREATE DEPTH
To create a living room accent wall like this, use floor-to-ceiling bookshelves painted in a dark color to contrast with lighter walls and create a striking feature.
Center the arrangement around a fireplace to anchor the space and provide a cozy gathering point. Style the shelves with various decorative items, books, and plants to add personality and warmth, making the bookshelves both functional and a significant design piece.
10. FLOATING SHELVES ACCENT WALL
USE FLOATING WALL SHELVES TO DISPLAY CURATED DECOR
To create a living room like this, start by painting the walls in a soothing, neutral tone to serve as a soft backdrop for your furniture and decor.
Install floating wall shelves above the sofa to display curated decor, like your favorite framed photos or art pieces, plants, and candles, which personalize the space and add visual interest. Keep the furnishings simple and in a color palette that complements the walls to maintain a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
11. FAUX BRICK PANELED ACCENT WALL
CREATE A FOCAL POINT WITH FAUX BRICK PANELS
To design a living room like this, create a focal point by installing faux brick panels on one wall. Brick panels give the illusion of texture and rustic charm without the need for actual brickwork.
Mount a sleek TV against the brick paneling to blend modern technology with the room’s industrial-inspired aesthetic. Complement the brick-feature wall with minimalist furniture, neutral tones, and natural wood accents to create a cozy yet contemporary space.
12. REMOVABLE MURAL ACCENT WALL
ADD VISUAL INTEREST WITH A REMOVABLE WALLPAPER WALL MURAL
To recreate this modern living room’s style, add visual interest to your space by applying a removable wallpaper wall mural with a bold marble and gold vein pattern to one wall, making it the room’s standout feature.
Balance the mural’s grandeur with understated, modern furniture in neutral colors to avoid visual competition. Accentuate the room with a few plush velvet poufs and metallic touches in the decor to echo the luxurious feel of the mural.
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13. SEPARATOR ACCENT WALL
CONVERT A SEPARATOR WALL INTO AN ACCENT WALL
To create a living room accent wall like this, turn a separator wall into an accent wall by installing board and batten paneling and painting it in a deep, contrasting color.
Place a rustic console table against the wall and flank it with matching lamps to add symmetry and elegance. Above the table, hang a large arch-shaped mirror to reflect light and give the illusion of space, enhancing the wall’s statement effect.
14. TV ACCENT WALL
OPT FOR A TV ACCENT WALL FOR FUNCTION AND DESIGN
To create a living room with a TV accent wall like this, opt for a minimalist and sleek design by painting a large panel or wall section matte black to serve as the focal point.
Install your flat-screen TV against this backdrop to enhance viewing and draw attention to the area. Keep the decor simple and monochromatic with clean-lined furniture and subtle textures to ensure the TV wall stands out as the room’s centerpiece.
15. PHOTO GALLERY ACCENT WALL
SPICE UP YOUR LIVING ROOM WITH A GALLERY WALL
To spice up your living room like this one, create a gallery wall by hanging a collection of black and white framed photographs in a symmetrical arrangement to draw the eye and add a personal touch.
Choose frames of the same color and size for a cohesive look and space them evenly to maintain a clean and orderly appearance. Anchor the gallery wall with a sleek console table below, accessorizing with various textured decor items to add depth and interest to the space.
16. COLORED ACCENT WALL
MAKE A STATEMENT WITH COLOR
To create a living room accent wall like this, make a statement with color by painting one wall in a vibrant green hue, instantly transforming the space with a pop of personality.
Hang a piece of bold, colorful artwork on the wall to complement the vivid backdrop and create a focal point. Balance the intensity of the wall with more subdued furnishings, like a grey sofa, and add playful patterned cushions to tie the whole look together.
17. BLACK ACCENT WALL
ADD A COZY VIBE WITH BLACK
To create a living room with a cozy interior, go for a black accent wall, which serves as a striking backdrop for lighter-colored furniture and decorative items.
Enhance the contrast by placing a light grey sofa against the wall and incorporating natural wood elements, like a rustic coffee table, to add warmth. Finish the space with textured accents in neutral tones, such as pillows and a woven rug, to soften the boldness of the black wall for that cozy feel!
18. STENCILED ACCENT WALL
TRY YOUR HAND AT A STENCILED ACCENT WALL
To infuse your living room with a unique charm like this one, try your hand at creating a stenciled accent wall by selecting a bold pattern and applying it above a wall console for an artistic touch.
Keep the surrounding decor simple with clean-lined white furniture, allowing the patterned wall to take center stage. Add pops of color and texture with throw pillows and lush greenery in metallic planters to complement the wall’s graphic appeal
19. FIREPLACE ACCENT WALL
CREATE A GEOMETRIC FIREPLACE ACCENT WALL
To create a living room like this, construct a geometric fireplace accent wall by creating an angular pattern with molding or wood panels, then paint it in a dark hue to highlight the design and add depth.
Balance the bold wall with a neutral palette for your furniture, opting for comfortable seating and adding texture through throws and pillows. To create a dynamic yet harmonious space, complete the look with sleek and organic decor elements, such as a modern coffee table and vibrant greenery.
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INTERIOR DESIGNER PRO TIPS
TRENDING THIS YEAR IN LIVING ROOM ACCENT WALLS
1. GREEN ACCENT WALL
This year, a popular trend in living room design is creating a sage green accent wall, a tranquil and stylish shade that enhances the room’s aesthetic appeal. Calm paint green colors, such as those from Sherwin Williams, are popular choices this year, too.
2. BLACK ACCENT WALL
This year, a black accent wall is a trending choice for living rooms, offering a bold and dramatic statement that can anchor the space with modern sophistication.
3. BARNWOOD WALL PANELS
Incorporating barnwood wall panels for an accent wall in living rooms has become a popular trend, offering a blend of rustic charm and contemporary style with their natural textures and warm tones.
4. FIREPLACE ACCENT WALL
Creating a fireplace accent wall in living rooms is a popular trend this year, transforming the fireplace into a stunning focal point with creative design elements and materials.
5. ACCENT WALL WOOD STRIPS
Accent wood wall strips have gained popularity this year for crafting an eye-catching and textured living room accent wall, adding depth and a modern touch to interior spaces.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHICH WALL SHOULD BE THE ACCENT WALL IN A LIVING ROOM?
In a living room, the ideal accent wall is often behind the television or the couch, as it naturally draws the eye and anchors the main seating area. For example, in a room with an entertainment setup, the wall behind it would be a great candidate, or in a minimalist space, the wall behind the sofa could be highlighted with an interesting color, wall decor or texture.
WHAT IS THE RULE OF THUMB FOR ACCENT WALLS?
In interior design, the accent wall typically follows the 60-30-10 color distribution, with 60% being the room’s primary color, 30% secondary, and 10% for the accent wall. When using decor for an accent wall, select items that contrast with the main colors for a striking effect or that contrast with the accent wall color.
SHOULD ACCENT WALLS BE DARKER OR LIGHTER?
Accent walls are typically darker than the other walls to create depth and bring focus to a specific area of the room. However, a lighter accent wall can work if it complements the room’s aesthetic and lighting.
WHAT ARE THE CONS OF AN ACCENT WALL?
The cons of an accent wall can include making a space feel smaller or more fragmented, and it may clash with the room’s overall aesthetic if not chosen carefully. It may also limit future color and design choices for the room.
WHEN NOT TO USE AN ACCENT WALL?
Avoid using an accent wall if the room is small and cluttered, as it can make the space feel more confined and chaotic.
WHAT NOT TO DO WITH AN ACCENT WALL?
Do not use conflicting or overly vibrant patterns for an accent wall that could disrupt the cohesive look of the room. The accent wall should enhance the space, not create visual tension or discomfort.
IS IT OUTDATED TO PAINT AN ACCENT WALL?
Accent walls are not outdated; they are a popular interior design creation that integrates thoughtfully with current trends and room decor. The key is to ensure the accent wall reflects contemporary tastes and the color complements modern furnishings.
You May Also Like:
→ 17 BEST Living Room Black Accent Wall Ideas
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And Popular Wall Design Ideas:
→ 21 Stunning Modern Board and Batten Wall Ideas
→ 69 Beautiful Board and Batten Wall Ideas That Energize Any Room
