An accent wall’s impact can elevate a room’s style ... but balance is everything when creating one. The accent wall should always seem like a natural extension of the room, with the furnishings and décor feeling connected to it. 

Sometimes this is simpler said than done. Fabrics and Home offers this easy three-step accent walls guide to help you design a space that offers visual interest without overwhelming your room. 

Photo credit: Jennifer Rogers

Step 1: Choose the Right Wall to Accent.

The most common mistake with accent walls is choosing the wrong wall, according to Lior Kahana, operations manager at 123 Remodeling. “If the wall is broken up by doors or windows, the impact is lost,” he said. You also want to avoid areas with exposed beams, paneling or a dramatic view, which might compete with an accent wall. Smaller or awkward spaces can offer challenges as well. “It can sometimes make things feel more cramped, unless used strategically to create depth,” explained Elle McFadzean, architecture marketer and writer.

The most successful accent walls have an intention, according to McFadzean. “It could be to frame a piece of furniture, anchor a space visually, or bring warmth and depth to a room that feels flat,” she said. “Before choosing a wall, ask: ‘What do I want this to do? Draw the eye? Break up a large space? Add intimacy?’”

Kahana also recommended looking for a space behind a bed or the first wall you see when entering the home. “That way, you are building on what the room already offers,” he explained.

Step 2: Select the Right Colors and Materials.

Accent walls can offer more than a contrasting paint color. “Wood cladding, wallpaper, limewash or even stone can make the wall feel more intentional and elevated,” advised Kahana. Galley walls, featuring photographs and other images, are also popular [see more about how to construct these below]

“When it comes to accent walls, the biggest mistake I see people make is falling in love with a bold item, like a loud wallpaper or unique paint color, that might look amazing by itself but doesn’t actually match the rest of their space,” said Brittney Luedecke, owner and designer of Signature Styles by Brit. “It’s a costly mistake when you’ve already invested in that feature, only to realize it clashes with everything else.”

Start the process by looking at the colors already in your room, advised Jennifer Rogers, a designer at BKC Kitchen and Bath. For example, are they light or dark hues or soft ones, such as pastels? “You don’t want your new color to take over the room,” she explained, and recommended using the 60-30-10 rule: with one color covering 60 percent of the room, a second color for about 30 percent and the accent color for 10 percent. “Darker shades like navy or emerald can make a space feel rich and cozy, while lighter colors add a soft touch,” she said. 

Photo credit: Jennifer Rogers

Step 3: Focus on the Best Way to Enhance the Accent Wall

When envisioning your accent wall, consider how it plays into your overall design plan. “You need to consider what goes in front of it and how the rest of the room supports it,” Kahana said. “A wall that feels disconnected from the space can make the room feel unfinished. You want the furnishings and decor to feel connected but not overwhelming. One large piece of art, a mirror or a sideboard with sculptural lighting can ground the wall.”

An accent wall adds character to a room, and the other elements should enhance that effect. Rogers recommended positioning a furniture piece against the accent wall to create an anchor effect before adding, layered decor elements to bring more texture and dimension to the wall. “Match your decor to the wall's color or texture for a cohesive look,” she advised. If the wall has a rustic wood finish, for example, add metal or leather accents for balance.

Contrasting décor and furniture can also enhance your accent wall if applied with a thoughtful touch. If you have a forest green accent wall, for example, use lighter furniture, such as a white sofa, recommended Courtney Batten, founder and lead interior designer at Paige Studio. “Layering in art or mirrors will create depth without competing with the wall itself,” she added. “Think of the accent wall as a backdrop for a curated moment, the wall should elevate the furniture and decor rather than blend in with it.”

Photo credit: Paige Studio

How to Create a Gallery Wall

Begin this endeavor by deciding where you want to assemble your masterpiece, whether that’s a large or small wall, advised Ellie Trebino Kelm, design manager at Mixbook. “When you think of a gallery wall, the first thing that comes to your mind is usually a tall and wide free space in some sort of designer loft … [but gallery] walls are the perfect decor for small places that are just begging to be brightened up,” she said. “Think about the unused space above and off the sides of a doorway, as well as the sides of a window, or the one atop your TV or fireplace.” Just look around your home and you’re sure to locate a few applicable spots.

Once you find your location, you’ll need to choose the right images and frames to display. “I like to compare them [gallery walls] to a lady’s charm bracelet — collected over time, built from meaningful pieces you love,” Luedecke said. “No two gallery walls should be done the same way because no two walls, or homeowners are the same. It’s about mixing textures and finishes, spacing things with intention, and making sure your color palette flows across the entire collection. Sometimes we even have to rearrange the ‘charms’ to make the whole thing work better, just like you would with jewelry.”

A successful gallery wall always starts with planning, according to Batten, who recommended laying out your arrangement initially on the floor to get a sense of scale and flow. “As a rule of thumb, your grouping should be about half the width of the wall, and each piece should be spaced roughly 2 to 3 inches apart for cohesion without feeling crowded,” she said. “To keep the look elevated, choose frames that share a common element — whether that’s color, finish or matting”

Do not overstuff your gallery. “Fewer, larger pieces often make a stronger impact than a cluttered mix of tiny ones,” advised Battan. For example, a space above a sofa or table might contain six to eight frames before feeling crowded. 

All types of frames work on a gallery wall. You can think outside the box, for instance, and use a curtain rod. “You can simply clip your photos by using clip curtain rings and then slide them onto the rod,” Trebino Kelm said. “You can switch up the order or swap out photos easily with this style, which is a fun and creative way to mix up your wall decor.”

She also recommended mixing silver and gold frames to add interest and variation or trying a more minimalist look by framing black and white photos, using the same hues. “Experiment with different frame colors and styles or use the same one throughout.,” she offered. Keep experimenting with various shapes and layouts until you find what works in your space.

Looking for wallpaper for your accent wall? Fabrics and Home offers designer brands like Old World Weavers, Schumacher and Thibaut.

While you work on creating stylish accent walls for your home, why don't you consider using some hues from the 2025's Color of the Year selections?

Featured photo by Jennifer Rogers