4 Accent Walls to Shake Up Your Next Build

There are plenty of posh and polished ways to incorporate an accent wall into your beautiful custom home.

With the right supplies and a purposeful plan, your accent walls will remain cohesive and all of your spaces will work together to present a beautifully united front. If you’re open to an accent wall, there are many materials and designs to consider. Paint? Tile? Wallpaper? Shiplap, perhaps? We’re going to cover some creative options and get those design juices flowing by dispelling a few accent wall related myths.

Myth 1:

Accent walls need bright paints that pop.

There are plenty of ways for a can of paint and a blank wall to work in unison to elevate your space. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to choose a bold or bright color, though.

Instead of opting for a color that “pops” and strongly contrasts with the rest of your walls, consider using a similar shade with a darker tone in alcoves around your home. This adds warmth to any room, nook, or cranny. After all, an accent wall is meant to enhance, not overpower, your space.

If you are itching to add a coat of color to your living space, a smaller surface may work best. This beautiful blue barn door in the Marion home tastefully adds playful color without taking over the whole space.

Myth 2:

Shiplap has to go everywhere.

It’s no secret that shiplap can be used on every single wall of one’s home. That does not mean, however, that shiplap can’t work its magic on just a single wall, too. The material’s versatility and texture make it completely possible for shiplap to make a statement on accent walls as well. We love the look of the smooth, straight lines of shiplap paired with rustic and warm surfaces like exposed brick or stained natural woods. 

The easy-to-clean material is a popular choice in custom mudrooms, too. The beauty of shiplap is that it can be used in every square inch of your home, modestly on a single wall, or even in conjunction with other accent walls. 

If you follow our “Behind the Design” series, then you’ve seen how our design team achieved a beautiful look in The “New” White Kitchen. Just because all the walls in the space are white, doesn’t mean they are uniform. The shiplap accent and adjacent tiled wall add interest and charm without compromising the integrity of a bright, and all white, kitchen.

Myth 3:

Intricate tiles can only be used on floors.

Geometric tiles are tricky to install on the floors of a small space without making the room feel smaller. It’s easy, though, to find gorgeous ways to incorporate distinctively delightful tile into your home without being tied down to flooring. 

The geometric pattern of this black and white tile could have been a little too much for the floor, but works wonders as an accent wall in this guest bath.

Myth 4:

Wallpaper is formal or outdated.

We’re rather obsessed with carefully curated wallpapers these days. When it comes to the creative elevation of a space, wallpaper is unrivaled. Whether creating a lighthearted childhood refuge or building a bold guestroom, we adore wallpaper walls in boudoirs, bedrooms and beyond. 

The Marshall Home showcases some of our favorite wallpaper designs. The floral pattern of the wallpaper accent in this girly hideaway is sure to beautifully mature alongside its residents. In the Marshall guest room, a bold and beachy mural adds fun to the space without going over the top.

Wallpaper is also a beautiful option for the kitchen of a custom home. Using the same wallpaper behind the shelves of built-in cabinetry is a great way to add cohesion and interest to the entire space.

There are many opportunities to incorporate accent walls in meaningful and original ways.

Once you figure out the “big picture” goals for your custom build, accent walls are sure to add intentionally integrated and thoughtful touches. Browse our Idea Homes or contact us to brainstorm beautiful building ideas to use in your own custom home today!