Which wall to accent in a living room. How to make the right call |
Functioning out which wall to accent in a residing area is not often obviously obvious,…

Functioning out which wall to accent in a residing area is not often obviously obvious, particularly if you have an oddly-shaped place with nooks or a specifically narrow room. A living area accent wall (painted a distinctive colour from the relaxation) is a great function to have because it generates a distinct focal level.
This, we might argue, is a person of the fundamental areas of a calm and welcoming area, since it generates a perception of stability. So, which wall need to you select?
You won’t be able to go completely wrong portray your residing area accent wall coloration on the wall driving the sofa, and we’d propose staying away from any partitions that have huge windows or doors, due to the fact they interest draw absent from the accent wall by itself. Interior designers share their expert guidance under to help you determine.
Which wall to accent in a living room?
The important factor to say is that there is no improper response, here. Even so, some partitions seem improved picked out by a paint coloration or wallpaper sample than some others. In this article, design authorities give pointers.
1. Look at the Feng Shui command position
(Image credit score: Foreseeable future PLC / Jon Day)
Frustratingly, there is no tough and rapid rule to abide by when performing out which wall to accent in a living space, mainly because it all relies upon on the dimensions and layout of your house. A extensive slim place might not have an clear focal level when compared to a sq. home with a fireplace and designed-in bookcase, for instance.
So it does signify trusting your very own design and style instinct – interior designer Jennifer Davis (opens in new tab) claims the to start with issue you will need to work out is which wall feels like the anchor. In Feng Shui, the command place is the most cozy spot to sit in, ideally with a see of the door.
We might suggest finding the Feng shui residing room command placement and possibly producing the wall behind or in front of it your accent wall. In which are you most drawn to when hunting close to the room? What is your favorite spot to sit in, and which wall do you finish up facing there?
2. Pick the wall adjacent to the window
(Image credit history: Benjamin Moore)
‘In my open-prepare kitchen area and living room, I painted the back again wall of the kitchen area area a darkish terracotta to warm it up and produce much more depth,’ remarks Lucy Searle, Global Editor in Chief at Residences & Gardens. ‘By portray the wall adjacent to the window in a heat tone, you can make a awesome, north-going through area feel extra cozy. In the exact same way a mirror positioned adjacent to a window will replicate heaps of light into the space, a darker wall in a warm tone will influence the mild that’s mirrored in and make it experience warmer.’
Lucy Searle
Lucy Searle has created about interiors, home and gardens for around 30 many years, commencing in just the interiors departments of women’s publications in advance of switching to interiors-only titles in the mid-1990s. She used five a long time as Affiliate Editor on Perfect Residence, just one of Britain’s greatest and oldest interiors titles. In 2018, Lucy took on the purpose of Worldwide Editor in Main for Realhomes.com, taking the site from a smaller journal incorporate-on to a international success, with a massive US audience. She was questioned to repeat that results at Households & Gardens, where by she has also taken on the editorship of the journal, which is the UK’s oldest interiors journal at 103 yrs old. Lucy is a serial renovator and also owns rental qualities in the Uk and Europe, so delivers to start with-hand know-how to the topics she oversees.
3. Allow your furniture layout make a decision
Wall painted in Saffron matt emulsion, Neptune
(Image credit score: Neptune)
Why not permit the home furnishings structure of your living room dictate exactly where your accent wall should go? For case in point, the wall driving your fireplace or sofa could possibly make feeling as a aspect wall. ‘If you put your accent wall on a facet wall or a wall devoid of any big assertion parts it will come to feel off balance,’ warns Jennifer Davis. Painting a wall driving your sofa the similar color as the couch is a huge trend, and can search really impactful.
4. Consider wherever you want to direct the eye
(Image credit history: Foreseeable future / Davide Lovati)
Jennifer Davis’ rule of thumb is to assume about exactly where you want to draw the eye. Most of the time, she claims it is the first wall you see as you walk in, but not normally. ‘It relies upon on the particular person place,’ she adds. ‘We also like to highlight the fifth wall (the ceiling) as it is frequently missed and can produce a big affect in a smaller sized room.’
5. Opt for the wall that will make the greatest impact
(Image credit score: Future PLC / Davide Lovatti)
‘Always go for the most important impact,’ inside designer Robin Burrill (opens in new tab) enthuses. ‘It doesn’t have to be the initial wall you see but it ought to be the a person that will make the major impact! If you are going to paint it, make certain it’s an impactful color and complete!’
She encourages clients to experiment with paint and other media to build a definitely spectacular look in their houses. This could merely be a distinct sheen than the rest of the walls, removable wallpaper or a wall mural.
6. Use the accent wall to emphasize architectural details
(Graphic credit history: Adore Your Household )
‘The wall across from the room’s entrance is normally the 1 you’ll make your accent wall,’ suggests Grace Baena, Inside Designer of Kaiyo Made use of Dressers (opens in new tab). ‘This can alter relying on the room’s format.’
She describes that rooms with nooks or other architectural variety, such as designed-in bookcases, exposed brick or wall paneling, can gain from the accent wall remaining placed in an spot that diverges from the relaxation of the space. ‘So, you may well finish up with your accent wall currently being the wall with a hearth or window nook,’ she says.
It actually depends on the shape of your residing place and how you intend to use it, so spend some time in the area in advance of achieving for the paintbrush.
Which wall is best to accent in a dwelling area?
From time to time the greatest wall to accent in a residing space is the a person that corrects or increases the proportions of the space. For instance, if yours is a narrow, extensive place, portray or wallpapering the furthest wall in a darker coloration than the other 3 will make it advance visually, generating the space seem shorter and, thus, less slim.