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33 Feature Wall Ideas To Bring A Bold Accent To Any Space | West Elm

Ideas + Advice

33 feature wall ideas to bring a bold accent to any space

speckled black wallpaper bedroom

A feature wall is a perfect way to give a room a dramatic update without having to repaint the whole space, replace the decor or change out the furniture. By highlighting just one surface with a distinctive wallpaper or paint color that perfectly complements the whole room, you can make a huge impact. Ready to try it in your home? Check out some of our favorite feature wall ideas first!

1. Replace the headboard with a fun print

One of the benefits of a headboard is that it anchors the bed in a room, but some may prefer a less grounded feel. For those who like to feel a little more untethered when they sleep, replacing the headboard with a patterned bedroom accent wall will create a more open, spacious feel.

birth wallpaper bedroom

2. Go wild with animal print

For a more playful touch, you can’t go wrong with animal print. Whether you have a favorite mammal, an appreciation of all things avian or a childhood love of insects, you can find a print to fit your space.

zebra wallpaper leather chair

3. Be intentional about your color combos

As you pick your accent wall ideas, consider how your color choices will interact with your furniture, decor or bedding. Try to create a sense of harmony rather than simply matching tones. For example, when combined, neighboring colors on the color wheel (like green and yellow) can be enhanced by a composite color (like brown).

green white patterned wallpaper

4. Feature a boundary wall

Updating a transition room? Try turning the short wall forming the boundary between spaces into a feature wall. This will create a more distinct contrast between the two rooms.

speckled blue wallpaper

5. Customize with peel-and-stick wallpaper

Wallpaper is perfect for creating fun, original feature walls, and with peel-and-stick options, it’s easy to apply and change it out. Swap these self-adhesive pieces out on a whim to keep any space fresh.

marbled blue white wallpaper

6. Lighten up with a bold yellow accent

Yellow is almost universally associated with light, making it a great choice for a room that could use a little brightening up. Try a charming, sunny shade for a kitchen or living room accent wall.

yellow with colored circles wallpaper

7. Set it off with art

If you want to create an even more dynamic look with your feature wall, adorn it with art. Pick pieces with features that reflect the print, or look for colors that complement the wall’s tone.

watercolor green leaf wallpaper

8. Set the scene with an active print

A print with rich hues and a complex design is a bold choice that could make a huge impact as a feature wall. Creative feature wall ideas like these work especially well in spaces with toned-down palettes and a minimal aesthetic.

tropical plants animal wallpaper

9. Maximize a smaller wall

If you live in an apartment or have a small space you’re looking to amplify, try featuring a small wall. Use a distinctive color or striking print to bring big character to a little room.

pink speckled wallpaper dinning room

10. Pick an atypical wall

Decorating a room with a sloping ceiling, quirky layout or atypical construction? Pick an angled or non-square surface for your feature wall. This will turn the funky feature into a distinctive design element.

yellow farmhouse wallpaper

11. Style a wall with shelves

Want to create an accent without sacrificing storage? Feature walls can also be used to enhance functional spaces. Try updating the paint or adding wallpaper to a wall with shelving in your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.

yellow white striped wallpaper

12. Take it outside

We dedicate a lot of thought to the way we design and decorate our indoor spaces, but what about our outdoor ones? Freshen up a boundary wall or make your porch pop with a weather-proof feature wall.

yellow bird wallpaper

13. Shape up the space with geometric print

Looking for wallpaper ideas for a living room feature wall? Consider going with a trendy geometric print. These sharp-lined designs add a layer of complexity to comfy spaces.

blue geometric print wallpaper

14. Brighten up the space with a citrus print

To make it feel like summer year-round, go with a bright, citrusy feature wall. Look for uplifting botanical prints featuring lemons, grapefruit or orange blossoms.

lemon patterned wallpaper

15. Reflect the decor

When it comes to feature walls, ideas should reflect both the space as a whole and the unique taste of the person designing them. If your design style starts with distinctive decor, pick a print or color scheme that meshes with your favorite pieces.

yellow plant watercolor wallpaper

16. Embrace your inner child with a cartoon design

We’re all still kids at heart—and a playful, cartoonish print is a perfect choice for an adult or child’s space. From hand-drawn animals to comic book heroes to whimsical sketches, try one out on a feature wall to add a touch of fun to any room.

crocodile patterned wallpaper

17. Dazzle with a celestial print

The best bedroom feature wall ideas promote a sense of calm, helping you unwind when you go to bed at night. Using a celestial accent wall behind your bed will make it feel like you’re falling asleep beneath the stars.

blue white star wallpaper

18. Get comfy with a navy bedroom feature wall

Another relaxing bedroom accent wall idea? Deep, dark navy. This versatile color evokes nighttime hues and makes a great accent to brightly colored quilts or duvet covers.

navy linen textured wallpaper

19. Try black and white stripes

There’s something about the stripped-down contrast of black and white stripes that adds complexity to a space. Picking this design for a single feature wall is a good way to add a unique dimension to a living room, kitchen or entryway.

black white patterned wallpaper

20. Feature a bathroom wall

The humble bathroom is always a good candidate for a feature wall. Whether for an adult or kid’s bathroom, adding a distinctive, colorful pattern to the vanity or bathtub wall will help open up the space.

blue yellow tile wallpaper

21. Bring the outdoors inside with a scenic print

Love the great outdoors? Remind yourself of the scenes, landscapes and vistas you adore by adding a striking scenic print as a feature wall in your bedroom or living room.

blue white cloud wallpaper

22. Texturize the space with grasscloth wallpaper

If you’re looking for a distinctive accent wall idea, consider using a grasscloth wallpaper. Made from a cotton weave, this option gives any room a natural yet luxurious feel.

wood textured wallpaper

23. Accentuate with peel-and-stick wall accents

If you don’t want to change the paint color or commit to a full wallpaper print for your feature wall, try adding peel-and-stick decals. Decals let you customize your wall and give your space a slightly subtler accent.

flower wall decals

24. Create an industrial feel with brick wallpaper

If you’ve ever wanted to replicate the trendy industrial feel of a hip coffee shop, add a temporary brick wallpaper. Using this as a feature wall behind your office desk is a fun way to upgrade your workstation.

brick textured wallpaper

25. Go rustic with a faux wood accent wall

Give your space a touch of that classic rustic feel with faux wood wallpaper. The realistic paneling will add a unique look to any room and makes for a striking video meeting background for WFH-ers.

rustic wood wallpaper

26. Liven up the room with a plant print

We love living room feature wall ideas that liven up the space, and a plant print absolutely ticks that box. Look for a bold option to add a bright, natural touch to the room.

tropical leaves wallpaper

27. Feature your fireplace

Everybody loves the warm, homey feel of a fireplace. Why not take yours up a notch with some fireplace feature wall ideas? Try matching the wall, fireplace and hearth colors to set the space off from the rest of the room.

industrial fireplace screen

28. Contrast with dark prints

This approach may seem like a bold choice, but it makes for a gorgeous feature wall in a bright room. Look for an elegant print in a brighter color set against a rich, dark base.

green floral print wallpaper

29. Accent a kitchen counter wall

A kitchen accent wall is a great way to enhance the style of your cooking or dining area. In place of a backsplash, try adding a gorgeous print to the wall behind your sink to perfectly accentuate the space.

marbled wallpaper kitchen sink

30. Go for an extra modern feature

A feature wall with a trendy modern print is sure to stand out. Make an impression on your guests by using one to spruce up spaces like a bathroom, living room or even a small entryway.

pink modern line wallpaper

31. Straighten up with a vertical line scheme

Vertical lines can have a lengthening effect in a room. The lines draw eyes upward, giving the space the appearance of height. When used on a feature wall, this trick can create a more dynamic look in any room.

textured vertical line wallpaper

32. Consider an abstract art feel

For art fans, an abstract color design can make for a stylish accent wall. Whether you go for a bold wallpaper or paint the wall yourself, this is a modern option for your home.

texture paint abstract wallpaper

33. Get hip with an ombré wall

Blending gradually from a light hue to a dark one, this trendy color effect creates a gorgeous accent wall. Try it in warm, comfy spaces like a parlor or bedroom.

ombre watercolor wallpaper

 

Feature walls are the perfect way to amp up just about any space, from a guest bathroom to a modern kitchen to a minimalist living room. Ready to get started? Whether you decide to go with a trendy wallpaper print or a thoughtfully selected paint color, these feature wall ideas should get you on your way!

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