Choosing the right accent wall color for your home can completely transform any room. The accent wall draws the eye, creates visual interest, and sets the tone for your interior design style. With so many paint colors to choose from, it can be overwhelming to select the perfect hue for your accent wall. This article will walk through the most popular accent wall color options, key factors to consider, and provide recommendations to help you find the best accent wall color for your home.
Most Popular Accent Wall Colors
Here are some of the most popular accent wall color choices:
Neutral Tones
Neutrals like white, beige, gray, and taupe make excellent accent wall colors. They act as a subtle backdrop that allows your furniture, decor pieces, and accessories to really stand out. Neutrals are also extremely versatile and pair well with any style.
| Color | Paint Color Name |
|---|---|
| White | Swiss Coffee by Behr |
| Beige | Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams |
| Gray | Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore |
| Taupe | Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore |
Bold Colors
Vibrant colors like teal, navy, emerald, and mustard instantly turn a basic wall into a dramatic statement. Bold hues look best on feature walls in modern, contemporary, and eclectic spaces. These rich colors envelop you and create an energizing, lively interior.
| Color | Paint Color Name |
|---|---|
| Teal | Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball |
| Navy | Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore |
| Emerald | Night Watch by Behr |
| Mustard | Ochre by Farrow & Ball |
Earth Tones
Natural earthy hues like terracotta orange, olive green, brown, and sand are cozy and warm. Earth tones connect us to nature and work especially well in rustic, farmhouse, cottage, and traditional spaces. These mellow shades bring out furnishings and decor made from natural materials like wood, rattan, clay, and leather.
| Color | Paint Color Name |
|---|---|
| Terracotta Orange | Red Rock by Behr |
| Olive Green | GoldenGate by Valspar |
| Brown | Woodland by Sherwin Williams |
| Sand | Latte by Benjamin Moore |
Factors to Consider
There are a few key factors to keep in mind when selecting an accent wall color:
Room Size
The size of your room will help determine whether you should choose a bold color or subtle neutral for your accent wall. Smaller rooms have less wall space, so bright, saturated colors can sometimes feel overwhelming or make the space feel even more cramped. Larger rooms with lots of wall square footage can handle a bolder, brighter accent color without it dominating the space.
Lighting
The lighting in your room affects how paint colors appear. Rooms with ample natural sunlight can make accent walls look lighter and brighter. North facing rooms with little direct sunlight may cause deeper colors to look more muted. Test your paint color at different times of day to see how the lighting affects it.
Furniture & Decor
Take into account your existing furnishings, flooring, tile, cabinetry, and decor items when selecting an accent wall color. You want your accent wall to complement these permanent elements instead of clashing with them. A red accent wall would look jarring against oak cabinets or limestone tile for example. Instead go for an earthy green or neutral beige that blends well.
Personal Style
Your interior design taste and personal style preferences should guide your accent wall color choice. Contemporary spaces allow vibrant hues while traditional homes look best with muted earth tones and neutrals. Choose a color that aligns with the look and feel you want for the room.
Best Accent Wall Colors by Room
Here are top accent wall color recommendations for popular rooms:
Living Room
Living rooms benefit from warm, inviting accent walls in earth tones and neutrals like:
– Sand
– Terracotta
– Olive green
– Taupe gray
– Cream
These natural, mellow hues encourage relaxation and conversation.
Bedroom
Color psychology suggests cool blue-greens and lavenders create a soothing, tranquil environment perfect for restful sleep. Recommended bedroom accent wall colors:
– Light blue
– Seafoam green
– Soft gray
– Pale purple
– Dusty pink
Kitchen
Kitchens are high traffic spaces that can handle bold pops of color on an accent wall. Brighten up your cooking space with:
– Tomato red
– Sunshine yellow
– Moss green
– Turquoise
– Mint green
Bathroom
Since bathrooms tend to be smaller with little natural light, it’s best to avoid dark dramatic colors. Stick to light, airy pastels like:
– Powder blue
– Lavender
– Sage green
– Peach
– Light gray
Home Office
Stimulating colors like orange, yellow, and red help increase focus and concentration in a home office. Great home office accent wall color options:
– Pumpkin orange
– Sunflower yellow
– Brick red
– Chartreuse green
– Sky blue
Choosing Paint Finish
The paint finish plays a role in how your accent wall color turns out. Here are some top options:
Matte
Flat matte finish minimizes imperfections like bumps and scratches on walls. It offers great color saturation but lacks shine and reflection.
Satin
Satin finish has a soft low sheen. It’s easy to clean and touch up. Satin provides rich color with a hint of luminosity.
Semi-Gloss
Semi-gloss has a medium reflective finish. It enhances color vibrancy and adds extra durability. Use semi-gloss for kitchens, baths, and high traffic areas.
High-Gloss
High-gloss finish is ultra shiny and reflective. It makes colors appear deeper and richer. High-gloss looks striking on contemporary accent walls.
Application Tips
Follow these tips for flawless accent wall painting:
– Prep the wall by cleaning, patching holes, sanding, and priming
– Use painter’s tape for clean edges along trim and ceiling
– Apply two coats allowing proper drying time between coats
– Use a mini roller for large flat areas, cutting in edges with a brush
– Maintain a wet edge to prevent lap marks and color variations
– Remove tape immediately after painting before it fully dries
With some planning and preparation, you can achieve a stunning accent wall in any room. Take your time choosing the perfect shade and have fun with your paint project!