Can Accent Walls Refine Your Home’s Appearance?

blue colored accent wall, Bloomfield CT

accent wall, avon ctAccent walls are an attractive way to introduce a splash of color that will make an interior space more visually appealing. Interior decorators often use accent walls to create an interesting focal point or to highlight a fireplace or other decorative element that will refine a home’s appearance.

So, what really is an accent wall? Quite simply, it is a wall that is painted in a different color than the other walls in the room. It works especially well when interior walls are painted in the same color, such as white, grey, or beige, for instance. Painting one wall in the living room in a complementary bold accent color like red, green, orange, or blue will naturally draw attention to the wall creating a natural visual focal point when you enter the room. Although there are no rules, you should choose an accent color that will complement your existing interior room color. Also, accent walls work best on solid walls without doors or windows. Finally, avoid painting multiple accent walls, or it may have the undesirable effect of being too overwhelming or distracting.

Choosing an Accent Wall

When painting an accent wall, the first and most challenging task is choosing the most appropriate space in your home to be the accent wall. An accent wall should be the space that will naturally grab attention when first entering the room, such as a fireplace, headboard of your bed, artwork, etc. Many homeowners choose an accent wall in the living room since it is often the space with the most traffic, but accent walls also work well in bedrooms, bathrooms, and other interior spaces.

Selecting an Accent Paint Color

The next step is to choose an accent paint color. One way to do this is to follow the 60-30-10 rule that many interior decorators use when designing color palettes. According to the rule, 60% of the space will be the primary wall color, 30% of the room will be dedicated for the secondary or complementary color, and the final 10% of the space will be the accent paint color. You can use virtually any color for an accent wall. However, if you have a neutral interior, you should stick with vibrant, neutral colors for the accent wall. Some of the popular accent wall colors are dark red, olive green, navy blue, lilac purple, and pastel pink.

accent wall, avon ctConsider the Sheen

When selecting your accent wall color, you will also need to choose the sheen or finish. Paints are available in different finishes, including matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. Each finish has a different wall texture and reflects varying amounts of lighting. For example, a matte finish is flat and absorbs most of the light, so it doesn’t shine. On the other hand, gloss paint reflects light and has a shiny surface. The sheen or finish of your accent wall should match the existing wall finish.

Hire a Painting Professional

Painting an accent wall may seem like an easy DIY project, but it is a lot harder to get professional results than many realize, only to end up with disappointing results.  A professional painter can also give you valuable interior design and color decorating tips for creating the perfect accent wall that will refine your home’s appearance.

 

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