An accent wall by definition is a single wall in a room that is painted a different color or shade than the other walls in the room. This wall is the focal point once entering the room and is purposely brighter to spice up the space. It is common for an accent wall to provide an interesting backdrop to a feature of the room such as a fireplace or big screen television. A vibrant color draws the eye toward the wall and helps to create a different atmosphere. The living room is one of the most popular spaces for an accent wall.
1 Tape off the focal wall in your living room. Tape the edges that meet the other walls, the ceiling and the baseboards with the painter's tape. Tape off the fireplace or whatever feature is on the wall. Lay down a tarp on the floor below the accent wall.
2 Fill any holes or cracks with putty. Sand away the excess to ensure a smooth surface. The accent wall is the primary viewpoint upon entry into the room; therefore it must look finished and clean.
3 Paint the accent wall with rich, vibrant-colored paint using tight W strokes. These cover more square area than up and down alone. Ensure the coat of paint covers the wall thoroughly to achieve the best impact upon entry. Paint another coat if necessary. Pull the painter's tape off before the paint dries to avoid peeling. Wait for the paint to dry and leave the room. Come back later to evaluate the effects of the accent wall.
Wall Decor
4 Mark in light pencil where you want to position the adhesive wall art. Peel off the back and carefully apply the sticker to your new accent wall. Smooth it on from one end to the other ensuring all parts have adhered properly to the wall.
This is an extremely popular method of decorating accent walls, as it is temporary but visually striking for a strong effect. For example, if you have painted your wall a deep orange, a charcoal sticker in a cool design looks clean and professional, picking up tones from the fireplace.
5 Hang photographs tastefully by choosing only a few key frames. Tie in the theme of the room by using photos that use the wall color or the fireplace tones.
6 Leave the room and return later to evaluate the effects. You can always add more decorations later.
