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25 Creative DIY Accent Wall Ideas to Try at Home

Blush pink accent wall in a living room

The Spruce / Marty Baldwin

If you're looking for a budget-friendly way to make a big impact in any space, a DIY accent wall is the answer. Accent walls are great for adding decor to an overlooked area of your home and conveying your personal style at the same time.

Color is the least expensive and easiest way to create an accent wall, but there are many other stylish ways to customize your space without breaking your decor budget. Wall tiles, painted murals, and wallpaper are other excellent options for adding life to a solid-colored wall for a much-needed accent.

Check out these 25 stylish and affordable accent wall ideas that will make your space look more expensive.

  • 01 of 25

    Pick a Paint Color

    accent wall ideas

    Design by Desiree Burns Interiors

    Creating a stunning accent wall can take little more than a gallon of paint and an afternoon of painting. Choosing the right accent wall paint color is important as it will become your room's focal point. If your existing wall color is warm, you'll want to choose a warm wall color. Be careful even with neutral colors, as they have color undertones that can make your accent wall look out of place.

    Tip

    Consider taking a free workshop at a local home improvement store to perfect your technique and get help recreating your accent wall at home. Figure out how much paint you need with The Spruce's Paint Calculator. 

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  • 02 of 25

    Add Curtains

    accent wall ideas

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Talitha Photos

    Ditch the paint and wallpaper—floor-to-ceiling curtains can add a dose of unexpected drama to a space. These white curtains flow with the rest of the walls, yet the fabric provides texture that still creates a perfect accent wall.

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  • 03 of 25

    Go Bold

    accent wall ideas

    Michelle Berwick Design

    If you're a fan of sit-down family meals or hosting dinners for friends, a conversation-starting accent wall in a bold and colorful print like this multicolored floral number will set the tone and boost the mood.

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  • 04 of 25

    Try Temporary Wallpaper

    accent wall ideas

    @ann.living / Instagram

    Also called "renter's wallpaper," temporary wallpaper is trendy, budget-friendly, removable, and requires no paste or water to hang. Temporary wallpaper is perfect for a stylish look without the commitment to create an accent wall in a room lacking any real architectural features. Choose bold wallpaper patterns in vertical stripes to make your ceiling look taller, and horizontal stripes to make your room look larger.

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  • 05 of 25

    Fake a Brick Wall

    accent wall ideas

    Louis Duncan-He Designs / Photo by Eymeric Wilding

    Create a low key accent wall that will add texture and character to a plain wall in a living room or home library using peel and stick wallpaper with a brick motif.

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  • 06 of 25

    Build a DIY Shiplap Wall

    shiplap dining room wall with banquette seating

    AEF Interiors

    Shiplap is not going out of style any time soon. These white planks brighten up any room for a light and airy feel while adding necessary texture. If you find that actual shiplap planks won't fit in your budget, opt for shiplap wallpaper instead to achieve the board look for a fraction of the cost.

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  • 07 of 25

    Add Wood Paneling

    accent wall ideas

    Arbor & Co.

    Everywhere you look reclaimed wood is popping up in home decor. You can easily and affordably add that weathered style to your home by cladding a wall in wood planks. Try it anywhere from the wall behind the bed to the family room or foyer to create a warm and inviting look. You can also add the look of reclaimed wood to the sides of a kitchen island, a bar, or the back of open shelving or cabinets. 

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  • 08 of 25

    Use Tile

    accent wall ideas

    Erin Williamson Design

    In an open-plan kitchen, the backsplash functions as a type of accent wall, an opportunity to showcase color, pattern, or texture that will add interest to the room. If you have the space or the budget, try tiling the entire wall for a dramatic, high-end look. And if you want to achieve the look of tile on a budget, consider peel and stick tiles to create a focal point. The new peel and stick tiles are much more elegant than past products and include more design options. 

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  • 09 of 25

    Go Small and Subtle

    accent wall ideas

    @afrobohemianliving / Instagram

    An accent wall doesn't necessarily need to be large to make an impact—especially if you're dealing with small nooks or awkward spaces. Choosing a color that adds contrast is key. This corner space gets a facelift with mustard brown paint on one side, allowing it to stand out amongst the rest of the white decor.

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  • 10 of 25

    Use Mirrors

    accent wall ideas

    Ashley Montgomery Design

    Paint and wallpaper are far from your only option when creating an accent wall. Especially in a smaller room, a wall covered in mirrors can be a game-changer, allowing the space to appear larger. While mirrors themselves can be pricey, there is a budget-friendly alternative—mirror panels. These thin sheets of reflective paneling allow you to stick the sheets onto the wall to give the appearance of traditional mirrors. They come in various sizes, shapes, and styles that can help you bring your accent wall ideas to life.

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  • 11 of 25

    Install Board and Batten

    white board and batten wall in bedroom with wall signs

    Joe Hendrickson/Getty Images

    One of our favorite recent home renovation trends is this board and batten accent wall. This design takes an ordinarily flat wall and transforms it into a pop-out illusion to add another dimension to your room. Board and batten have endless options for how you arrange your boards to resemble squares like this or rectangular blocks. For an extra touch, paint your board and batten a different color that fits the theme of your room.

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  • 12 of 25

    Paint a Mural

    accent wall ideas

    Design by Brexton Cole Interiors

    If you're feeling artistic, you can't go wrong with painting a mural to serve as an accent wall in a hallway, kids room, or other space. Keeping the art on one wall keeps everyone's attention focused on the masterpiece, and allows you to make a giant impression without going all out on every wall.

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  • 13 of 25

    Add Shelving

    accent wall ideas

    Casa Watkins Living

    Wallpaper is not just for bedrooms and living rooms—kitchens can join the fun as well. Pairing colorful, eclectic wallpaper as a backdrop for floating shelves can help the space from feeling too overwhelming. Additionally, knowing you're only using the style on one wall gives your permission to go outside the box a bit more than you might when having to keep the entire room in mind.

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  • 14 of 25

    Try a Stenciled Accent

    black and white stenciled accent welcome wall

    @lizzydesigns_/Instagram

    This adorable stenciled wall from Liz makes quite a welcoming impression. Wall stencils are the perfect counterpart to wallpaper that is affordable and easier to apply. Simply find a stencil with a design you like, select a color, and paint the cut out onto your wall for a personal accent wall.

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  • 15 of 25

    Paint Geometric Shapes

    accent wall ideas

    Dazey Den

    Paint doesn't have to reach all four corners to make an impact. The white wall with a simple yellow circle still creates a contrasting accent, yet still feels cohesive with the rest of the space given that it matches the golden hue on the remaining walls. The trend of painting geometric shapes on walls, particularly headboards, isn't an unknown concept—but can be applied to other rooms as well.

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  • 16 of 25

    Create a Brick Facade Wall

    brick accent wall with potted plant and beige chair

    Westend61/Getty Images

    We love the industrial vibes brick accent walls create, which is why a brick facade makes a perfect accent wall. Bricks used for a brick facade interior wall are thinner than exterior pieces for easier attachment to drywall that complements your space for a warming touch.

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  • 17 of 25

    Layer It Up

    accent wall ideas

    Dazey Den

    Create an eclectic accent meets gallery wall by layering photos, artwork, or other types of decor over wallpaper. You will likely be surprised how many items in your home can easily be added to the concept, as well as how many inexpensive art prints exist online, so you don't have to blow your budget in the process.

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  • 18 of 25

    Try Felt Stickers

    accent wall ideas

    @homebypolly / Instagram

    If you're not much of a painter or muralist, but still want to create a striking accent wall in your child's bedroom, try peel and stick felt stickers to transform the wall above the bed into a galaxy.

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  • 19 of 25

    Add Large Decals

    living room with muted colored wall decals

    Aleksandra Zlatkovic/Getty Images

    No, we don't mean those live, laugh, love stickers. Wall decals are great for adding an accent to your wall with abstract shapes and designs, like the picture above. Finding decals that match your room's color scheme is crucial for a DIY accent wall that's completely abstract and elevates the design.

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  • 20 of 25

    Style a Stone or Concrete Wall

    stone room with couch and bookcase

    Image Source/Getty Images

    Stone and concrete walls are materials that decorate themselves from the natural, earthy sense they evoke. These materials make stunning accent walls that provide effortless texture and elegance to any room to up the drama perfect for styling with a couch and bookcase.

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  • 21 of 25

    Combine Textures

    accent wall ideas

    @home.and.spirit / Instagram

    This living room includes a working space anchored by an accent wall that pairs warm wood panels and soothing green paint, demonstrating the benefits of combining textures when planning your accent wall design.

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  • 22 of 25

    Use Vintage Book Covers

    accent wall ideas

    @midcenturyjo / Instagram

    If you're big into the DIY scene and want to be a bit more eclectic, then it's time to step outside the norm. This accent wall is covered floor to ceiling in vintage book covers—which can be found inexpensively at thrift shops and donation centers.

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  • 23 of 25

    Add Wood Detailing

    accent wall ideas

    Louis Duncan-He Designs / Photo by Heather Dunbar

    Adding simple wood detailing in an abstract pattern and painting it the same color as the wall adds dimension to an accent wall behind the bed. This easy DIY requires nothing more than a nail gun and a few strips of wood, an idea that could work just as well in a living room, family room, playroom, or any other space that needs a little oomph.

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  • 24 of 25

    Make It Two Tone

    accent wall ideas

    Louis Duncan-He Designs / Photo by Eymeric Wilding

    Painting a simple graphic accent on the wall of this living room home office helps to visually divide the hybrid space while dressing up the workspace to make it flow with the rest of the room's design. A painting hung above the desk that straddles both the blue and white sections of the wall making it feel pulled together. This is a simple DIY that just requires a small pot of blue paint and some painter's tape to keep the line looking sharp.

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  • 25 of 25

    Have Fun

    accent wall ideas

    Michelle Berwick Design

    In a multi-purpose open plan space, an accent wall can help define zones. This finished basement is a hybrid space with zones for work and play. A colorful accent wall with geometric shapes and a friendly wall sign anchors an at-home movie night bar cart stocked with popcorn and candy in the fun zone.

FAQ
  • Are accent walls still in style in 2023?

    Accent walls are a classic design move still rocking in 2023. These walls are easy to update with the trends to stay fresh and complementary to your aesthetic for years to come.

  • What is the best board for a wood accent wall?

    MDF, thin wood, or wood veneers are the best options for board and batten walls. These materials are smooth for a perfect finish and durable for long-term use. Just make sure to place high-quality wood with no knots or warping in wetter rooms (like your bathroom) to withstand the moisture.

  • Can any wall be an accent wall?

    Ideally, the first wall you see when you walk into a room is the best to use for an accent. This is because they are instantly eye-catching so the added design further commands that wall's attention. But, if you have a fireplace or built-in bookshelves, these walls are prime candidates for an accent wall as well.