Accent Wall vs. Feature Wall: Important Differences to Know

What are the differences? Aren’t they the same? Let me tell you the answer.

Accent Wall vs feature wall
Photo by Thanos Pal on Unsplash

There are two terms that people use to describe a different color on one side of the wall, accent wall and feature wall. Both accent wall and feature wall are popular terms in interior design and they both look identical at a glance. Accent wall vs feature wall, are they the same or different? Here’s what we know about an accent wall and a feature wall.

Definition

Accent wall

An accent wall is a wall in a room that is painted differently to draw attention from the rest of the wall. They often meant to add style, contrast, and visuals to the room without overpowering the rest of the walls.

Feature wall

A feature wall is a distinct wall in a room that is different than other walls in a room to create a focal point in the room. They are often bold or dramatic in color and complement the color of other walls.

Accent wall and feature wall, are they the same?

An accent wall and a feature wall are generally the same and Interchangeable. Even though an accent wall is more widespread and commonly used. Additionally, some call it an accent wall because the color or pattern contrasts or harmonizes with the adjacent walls while others call it a feature wall because it is known to be bolder in color.

An accent wall is generally more common and popular. It is great for adding texture to a room to make the room stand out. Similarly, a feature wall is still popular but it may take more time and plan to get it right.

Which is the best wall an accent wall or a feature wall?

  • A wall opposite the entrance is one of the most common places for an accent wall because it is the first thing that catches your eye when you enter the room.
  • In a living room, a wall behind a room features like a fireplace, sofa, entertainment space like a TV, or oversized art is an ideal choice to put an accent wall. Additionally, a wall with a large window is another great choice.
  • In a bedroom, the wall behind the bed headboard is an ideal wall for an accent wall. Putting an accent wall behind a large piece of furniture like a bed will act as an anchor.
  • Consider a wall that gets plenty of light, as you want to show off your accent wall and it looks absolute best in a well-lit room.
  • Make your fifth wall, or a.k.a your ceiling, as an accent wall. You can choose contrasting colors or patterns to harmonize the overall room color or have a bold and complementing color to attract and surprise people’s attention to your ceiling.

Are accent wall and feature wall out of trend?

Both accent wall or feature wall are still in trend today. They are still widely used in interior design to add visual interest and focal point to a room. However, the color, materials, and pattern that is used may change and evolve over time.

What is the rule for a perfect accent wall?

The basic rule for a perfect accent wall is to create a statement without overwhelming the composition of the room. To achieve that, there is a simple “60-30-10” design rule that can be used for designing an accent wall. The rule states that 60% of the room composition should be the main color ,30% should be the secondary color, and the last 10% should be an accent color. This is the most important part, an accent wall should be on 30% of the room proportion to differ and set visual interest in the room.

In which room do you use an accent wall or a feature wall?

A feature wall is commonly used as a focal point for a living room. On the other hand, an accent wall is generally used in a bedroom, living room, and kitchen. They are also great to use for other rooms such as bathrooms and office rooms. An accent wall or a feature wall is perfect in a well-lit open floor plan.

Which color is the best for an accent wall or feature wall?

Both accent and feature walls need to contrast or complement the rest of the walls. You can use subtle colors like pastels that contrast well in a natural-colored room. On the other hand, if you like to show your characteristics, you can go with bold and opposite colors to complement the rest of the walls like navy blue, bright yellow, or matte black in a light-colored room.

Paint, wallpaper, and brick or wood panel, which one is the best for an accent wall or feature wall?

Paint is the most common choice for accent walls or feature walls. It offers limitless shades and hues to choose from but they tend to look dated with age. Wallpaper is similar to paint, it has many patterns and designs to choose from, and it is cost-efficient. It gives an attractive visual and pattern that paint can’t give. Brick or wood panels are great for accent walls or feature walls as they add texture and depth to the room. However, they are more costly than paint and wallpaper. Check out “Everything About a Perfect Accent Wall: Best Tips and Advice” if you like to find out more about designing a perfect accent wall.

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