Walls make up the largest surface area in the home. Thanks to their size, they offer design opportunities that can instantly transform any space. Despite this, they tend to be overlooked in interior design.
Sure, there’s nothing wrong with bare walls. But if you want to add extra oomph to a room and make the space stand out, consider making the most of them by creating a feature wall.
Why create a feature wall
When well-designed, a feature wall can be a foolproof way to bring style to a space. Here are some reasons why you should consider creating one in your home:
Complete the space
Have you looked around your home, and the interior design felt incomplete? What you might have been missing was a feature wall. This can be the finishing touch that would pull the look of your room together and make it look intentionally designed.
Emphasize unique features
If you have interesting architectural elements in your home that you want to showcase, add an accent wall near them. This feature wall can create a focal point that highlights these stunning features and gets them the attention they deserve.
Make the space look bigger
A feature wall in the right color can add the illusion of space and give the room depth. For instance, painting a wall with a darker shade can emphasize the length of the room. In particular, matte black, smokey gray, and midnight blue create contrast against bright-colored rooms and make the space look bigger than it actually is.
Show off your personality
An accent wall can showcase anything, from your favorite color, artwork, and photos. As you bring character to the space, you get boundless opportunities to showcase your personality and interests through the interior and building design.
Creative feature wall ideas to try at home
Statement walls are making a comeback, and now may be the perfect time to create one in your home. If you need design inspiration, here are some feature wall ideas you can try:
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Hang a large painting
You can never go wrong with a painting that speaks for itself. Hanging an inspiring artwork can instantly liven up a boring wall and complete your interior design. This can accentuate your furniture and decor or give contrast to the room. Plus, it can serve as a conversation piece.
Unlike more complicated home improvement projects, a feature wall doesn’t involve as much commitment. You can easily replace the artwork with a new one if you want a new look.
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Incorporate mirrors
Creating a mirror wall is one of the oldest interior design tricks. It’s a foolproof way to make a room look and feel bigger by reflecting natural light. This space-expanding hack can be especially useful for small spaces and rooms with no windows.
A mirror wall can also make the home aesthetically pleasing. In particular, a large, strategically placed mirror can keep things cohesive, while mirrors in different shapes, sizes, and styles can give off an eclectic vibe.
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Paint a mural
If you want a quick, easy, and cheap way to create a feature wall ideas, consider painting a mural.
Turning a drab wall into a personalized work of art doesn’t require an artistic flair. Murals can come in many forms, so you can channel your artistic side in any way you like.
Before painting, consider the purpose and current color scheme of the room and the mood you want to create. This will guide you in coming up with mural ideas.
During painting, make it a layering process. Create the base of the design first, then paint the details afterward. Also, step back from the mural from time to time as you paint. This will ensure it looks good from different angles.
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Add texture with stones or bricks
Stones and bricks are usually used for exterior cladding. However, they can also beautify indoor spaces by adding color or texture to plain walls. Depending on the design, they can lend an industrial, rustic, or cottagecore look to your home.
This type of feature wall is more complicated to remove than paint or wallpaper, as it involves a hammer and chisel. For this reason, consider working with a drafting professional and a designer to make your feature wall project successful.
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Set up a photo gallery
Filling up the empty wall ideas with photo prints is another great way to bring character to your space. Best of all, it doesn’t break the bank.
There’s no hard and fast rule in setting up a gallery wall. But if you want to make it seem more curated, stick to a color palette or group prints in the same categories together. You can also mix up styles or create a grid.
Feel free to lay out the photos and frames on the floor. Experiment with different arrangements until you find one that works, then replicate it on the wall.
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Install floating shelves
A feature wall doesn’t have to be only aesthetically pleasing. It can be practical, too. One way to do this is by installing floating shelves. By combining an accent wall with a clever storage solution, you get to have the best of both worlds: style and functionality.
This feature wall idea is perfect for making the most of empty spaces and upgrading storage space. Here, you can layer up artwork, photos, interesting collections, and decorative pieces.
The best thing about it is that you can style it in many ways. You can even change it up every season to keep the look fresh.
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Create a living wall
If you’ve been dreaming of nurturing an indoor garden but don’t have enough space, designing a living wall may be the solution you need. Creating a vertical garden lets you bring the outdoors inside and liven up bland walls. Also, it can improve indoor air quality and relieve stress.
House plants to be added to your feature wall should be those that don’t require frequent watering, like ferns and succulents. Placing them on pocket planters and attaching them to the wall can create an impressive green feature.
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Use wallpaper
Wallpaper is making a comeback, and for a good reason. Gone are the days when it has outdated floral designs. Newer ones have a wide range of patterns, textures, and colors that lets you achieve almost any look you want.
Besides aesthetics, using wallpaper for a feature wall offers convenience. It’s easy to install and peel, so it lets you add a new look and feel to your space without hassle.
Plus, wallpaper doesn’t involve the unnecessary pressure of a long-term commitment. As long as the wall was prepped and primed before installation, you can set up an accent wall and replace it with a new one right away when you no longer want it.
Breathe life into drab walls with a feature wall
A feature wall can be a stylish addition to your home. With the right design and color, it can transform boring walls, create a fresh look, and bring instant impact to your space.
The best thing about this feature is it doesn’t simply stop with a roll of wallpaper or a pop of color (although these are completely okay to use, too). A statement wall can be anything you want, and you can start incorporating different feature wall ideas into your space to design a home that’s truly yours.
