Are Your Accent Walls Outdated? Here's What Designers Want You to Use Instead

When you think of an accent wall, you likely picture painting or wallpapering one wall in a striking color or pattern, a design trick that made its mark in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But what’s kept accent walls alive all these years? In short: they’re easy! Accent walls add drama, personality, and a quick refresh without needing to redo an entire space.

But, they also require thoughtful planning; make the wrong move here and you'll end up throwing off your whole space. So how do you know if accent walls are still worth using—or better left in the past? Design experts are sharing their honest takes, along with the factors to consider before adding one to your space.

The Verdict: Accent Walls Aren't Cool Anymore

Expert Morgan Hood confirms our suspicion— accent walls are definitely on their way out. But, not entirely. Hood just encourages us to reimagine what we consider an accent wall. If you're thinking one single saturated wall, that's what Hood wants to leave behind. “[They] really break up a space and make a room feel choppy in an uninviting way," she says. So before you break out the paint or wallpaper, pause and ask yourself: why are you drawn to an accent wall? Is it to add a pop of visual interest, create contrast, or something else entirely?

If your goal is to add contrast, Hood suggests this alternative design method, which can be just as—if not more—effective. Consider color drenching, a technique where you envelope the whole room in one wallpaper or one paint color. You can also focus on bringing in textures through furniture (wicker, antique wood, glass, and metal) in addition to textiles like wool, velvet, and linen, Hood suggests.

But, Fifth Walls Are Totally In

Still set on including an accent wall? Hood offers a loophole: use your ceiling instead! Using this design strategy will draw your eye upward, which "works really well in smaller spaces, like powder baths, laundry rooms, and snugs," she says.

Still, Hood always encourages wallpapering an entire room over just a single wall whenever possible.

Focal Points Are Still Trendy, Too

While the old-school take on accent walls may be fading, the concept of a focal wall has been around for centuries. Take for example, traditional architecture or historical design, where ornate fireplace murals and visually prominent walls were common in classical European homes.

Designer Miranda Cullens agrees that accent walls aren't totally outdated, but have evolved from their classic, one-bold-paint-color approach. Now, it's all about adding a subtle contrast (think: natural wood paneling, limewash finishes, and patterned wallpaper), architectural detailing, or material variation to bring depth and interest to a space, she says.

"The idea of creating a focal point is very much alive—it’s just more nuanced now," she says. "It's less about a flat pop of color and more about tactile surfaces that warm up a space and create dimension."

Architectural Elements Can Also Add Interest

Jen Daltorio and Hannah Reach, experts at York Wallcoverings, share a similar perspective. "The accent wall hasn’t gone anywhere, but the concept has expanded to include applications like embellished ceilings and elaborate (and often wallpapered) full walls of built-in shelving," Daltorio says. "Wall murals are a popular choice for a statement wall, especially when [adorned] by decorative picture molding or wainscoting."

“Some people are [also] leaning into paneling or peel and stick murals for their feature walls," Reach adds. This can include installing shiplap, beadboard, or picture frame molding, versus painting or wallpapering just one wall. Or, consider using peel-and-stick wallpaper on the back of bookshelves, stair risers, inside arched niches, above chair rails, on wainscoting panels, or even within tray ceilings and non-working fireplace surrounds. This creates a subtle design boost that can make a statement without a long-term commitment.

Reach also points out that accent walls with architectural elements work well in today’s multi-use spaces. "With more people working from home, accent walls can help define zones, like setting apart a work area in a shared living room, or just simply adding some visual interest to otherwise awkward or bare spaces within the home," she says.

How to Design an Accent Wall That Doesn't Feel Dated