Create an accent wall with shiplap, wood slats, paint, wallpaper, etc.

You must first decide what you want to achieve with the accent wall, says Gallagher, whether it’s creating a focal point, adding color or texture, or highlighting a particular architectural feature.

“You have to pay attention to what you like, what you’ve always liked,” says Gallagher. “It’s a personal thing.”

Typically, the wall with the most visual interest or the one you want to draw attention to works best. This could be the wall behind a fireplace, a headboard wall in a bedroom, or the wall with a piece of art. Effective accent walls can be created in any room, says Gallagher. 

“The bedroom is a very popular room to have an accent wall behind the bed but we’re seeing a lot of accent walls behind the bathroom vanity,” she says. 

The key is to balance the accent wall with the room’s overall design and ensure it serves the intended purpose without overwhelming the space. In small rooms, a single accent wall can make the space feel larger. In larger rooms, you might consider more elaborate designs or multiple accent walls.

Look up, too, says Gallagher, and consider the ceiling as the fifth wall of a room. 

“Many of these ideas translate nicely to ceiling applications,” she adds.

Wallpaper is a versatile choice for most accent walls that can appeal to almost all design styles. The decorative paper has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, shedding its outdated image for a resurgence of bold, sophisticated designs. Today’s motifs feature everything from striking geometric patterns to delicate floral configurations, offering endless possibilities for personalization. 

“We’re doing a lot of wallpaper, everything from the real traditional grass cloths to large-scale prints, but even smaller, mini prints,” says Gallagher. “They just keep pushing the envelope with a variety of different wallpapers.”

Wallpaper can hide imperfections and irregularities on surfaces, plus textured wallpapers like grass cloth, metallics and faux finishes that mimic materials like brick or stone, can add depth and dimension.

With wallpaper, you can also create a bold statement or a subtle backdrop, depending on the chosen design, adds Gallagher. Modern wallpapers are also more user-friendly, with peel-and-stick options making DIY projects more accessible than ever.

Board and batten, a design technique rooted in traditional craftsmanship, made a stylish comeback a few years ago and remains a popular accent wall choice, says Gallagher. This timeless wall treatment involves installing vertical boards and horizontal battens to create a structured, paneled look. 

“Board and batten is still very strong, especially in our area because it kind of lends itself to a more relaxed ‘farmhouse’ look,” says Gallagher.

Contemporary takes on board and batten are embracing bold colors and high-contrast finishes. Some designers are also experimenting with varying heights and widths to add a modern twist to this classic technique.

Wooden planks have made a notable comeback. They can add warmth and texture, creating a sophisticated, yet rustic ambiance. Designers are experimenting with various orientations — horizontal, vertical, and even diagonal installations — to create dynamic visual effects. For a contemporary twist, some are opting for painted or stained planks in hues ranging from soft grays to deep, moody blues and greens, says Gallagher. 

Many of these wall options can be crafted by a consummate DIYer with proper tools and solid math skills, too, says Gallagher. 

Shiplap planks installed horizontally, or even vertically, continue to be a subtle yet attractive way to add some interest, adds Gallagher. A staple of the modern farmhouse design movement, these boards typically have a notch cut along their edges, allowing them to overlap and fit together snugly.

“There was a period of time where everybody wanted to do it and it’s tapering off, but I still think it’s a pretty, clean look and an easy way to add some interest,” says Gallagher. “Like anything, when something is really beautiful, everybody keys in on it and in time, people get tired of it and want something fresh and new.”

Paint is still a classic and adaptable choice for accent walls. While traditional single-color paint is a straightforward option, creative techniques have expanded the possibilities.

“It’s definitely the most affordable option but there’s a way to add that visual and textural interest by adding a specialty paint technique,” says Stephanie Salway, owner and creative director of Starlily Design Studio LLC, a full-service decorative painting and interior style and design studio based in Saratoga Springs. 

Salway is one of many designers who are treating accent walls as canvases for artistic expression. Whether it’s through custom murals, abstract designs, or hand-painted details with specialty paints and tools, these artistic installations offer a personal touch and serve as conversation pieces.

“I can create dimension with color. Whether I want to make it look like grass cloth, marble, stone, brick or wood, I can do all of those things with paint,” says Salway. “The beautiful thing with that is it can be any color, any scale, any motif and any painting style. The possibilities are really endless when you’re dealing with decorative paint.”

Don’t discount stencils either, says Salway. They have evolved from simple, hand-cut tools used for repetitive patterns to sophisticated design elements that offer intricate, customizable options. 

“Stencils are not what they used to be,” says Salway. “You can do beautiful work with stencils — layering medallions or geometric patterns on top of a solid color.”

When you’re using paint, there are several different finishes, from matte to high gloss. When you layer different finishes, you can create an almost three-dimensional motif, says Salway. 

“Using stencils in the different finishes on top of solid paint colors can bring a luxury wallpaper look without being wallpaper,” adds Salway. “You don’t have the seams and labor. It’s more subtle.”

Whatever style, materials and technique you choose to use in your accent wall design should speak to you and your personal taste, adds Salway.

“It’s truly what feels authentic to you and your design style,” says Salway.

An accent wall should enhance the room without overwhelming it. Ensure harmony with existing elements and don’t overwhelm the space. You want the accent wall to complement rather than compete with other design elements, says Gallagher.

You want to tailor the accent wall to the room’s function. A calming color might be ideal for a bedroom, while a bold and bright color could energize a living area. 

You also want to make sure you don’t neglect the surrounding space. 

“You don’t want a really strong focal point and just have the rest of the room kind of die,” says Gallagher. “It’s important that your eye carry around the space.”

Make sure that you have the budget to purchase other design elements that will help to balance the room, like coordinating pillows, rugs, or artwork that echo the colors or textures of the accent wall.

“Paint out the whole story,” suggests Gallagher.  “Those are probably the easiest things to implement because you probably already have your foundation laid.”