Reimagining The Accent Wall

Accent walls have always played a large role in the decorating world, but lately we are seeing a movement away from one bold wall to different approaches that incorporate and elevate the design of an entire room. The following tricks will help spread the focus so that no matter which direction you’re facing, there’s always something interesting in the room to admire.

1. Accent Ceiling
Try something bold and daring with your ceiling. Paint it a soft colour for a subtle accent or go dark and bright for a more dramatic effect.

2. Accent Moulding
Moulding is a great way to add character to a room. Try painting your plate rail mouldings the same colour as the accent ceiling to bring a hint of colour down to the top edges of the wall. Alternately, try a bold wallpaper or paint colour, and leave the plate rail mouldings as a plain and clean transition to the ceiling. You can also play with moulding sizes and locations on the wall. Try wallpapering underneath chair rail mouldings and painting the top half of the wall a subtle hue to create interesting horizontal lines around the room.

3. Accent Floor
It’s easy to forget about the floor when looking for ways to add creativity to a room, but it’s a large blank canvas for creating an amazing statement. Although it’s not for everyone, try a patterned tile or a painted wood floor for a dramatic effect. For something less permanent, a patterned or boldly coloured rug is a great alternative.

For more ideas, read about Sally Armstrong’s favourite wallpaper for accent walls.