by Holly Antoine
| Published 8/31/23 (Updated 9/1/23)
The living room is often considered the heart of the home, where family and friends gather to relax, entertain, and make memories. One simple yet effective way to elevate the design of this space is by adding an accent wall. An accent wall can serve as a focal point, adding depth and personality to the room.
It can be achieved through various techniques, such as painting, wallpapering, or using textured materials. In this article, we’ll explore a range of living room accent wall ideas that can transform any space into a stylish and inviting oasis. From bold and vibrant colors to subtle and sophisticated patterns, there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating an accent wall that suits your taste and style.
Whether you’re looking to make a statement, create a cozy atmosphere, or add a touch of elegance, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to be inspired and discover the perfect accent wall for your living room thanks to our living room accent wall ideas.
Photo Credit: Zoe Feldman Design – A steer triptych art piece is hung from a red brick wall over a brown leather sofa accented with white and gray pillows in a modern country living room. An industrial rivet coffee table sits in front of the sofa on a bold blue rug and seats two wooden accent chairs with white cushions.
Photo Credit: Karen B Wolf – Beneath an abstract art piece and a window covered in an orange and blue striped roman shade, a light gray sectional is finished with purple, gray, and blue pillows. The sectional sits on blue carpeting facing a round orange and blue ottoman coffee table, while an accent wall is clad in gray and blue wallpaper.
Photo Credit: Residents Understood – Contemporary black and yellow living room features art hung over a black velvet tufted sofa accented with mustard yellow velvet pillows. A wicker stool coffee table sits on a black and white striped rug in front of the sofa, while gold and black cane chairs are positioned facing the sofa. A flat panel TV sits on a mid-century modern TV cabinet in front of a mustard yellow painted accent wall. The room is lit by a matte black tripod floor lamp.
Photo Credit: Emily Kates Design – Cole & Son Woods Wallpaper covers an accent wall positioned behind a white loveseat topped with black Greek key pillows. The sofa is matched with a round bone inlay accent table lit by a gold lamp and Anthropologie Waterfall Inlay Coffee Table placed on an ivory and gray rug illuminated by smoke gray staggered glass lights. A blue velvet chair sits facing the loveseat.
Photo Credit: Megan Winters – Contemporary living room features a glossy black wall trim with black velvet chair and a cream sofa with black and white pillows lit by a brass floor lamp.
Photo Credit: Erica Bryen Design – A comfy gray sofa sits on a gray rug facing industrial nesting coffee tables flanked by black and white chevron accent chairs and gold and turquoise blue leather accent chairs. Sconces are mounted to a wall clad in Kelly Wearstler Crescent wallpaper, as black poufs are placed in front of a hunter green shiplap accent wall. The wall frames windows dressed in blu roman shades and positioned on either side of an inset flat panel television mounted over built-in hunger green TV cabinets.
Photo Credit: Rose and Funk – This luxurious black and white modern living room a black sofa table placed behind a white sectional topped with white pillows and paired with a round marble top coffee table. Two black sleek wire chairs flank a black accent table that complements a black floating tv unit positioned under a wall mounted tv fixed to a black accent wall. A gray stone 2-story fireplace is located adjacent to floor-to-ceiling windows.
Photo Credit: Studio Ten – A white couch accented with black striped pillows is positioned beneath a floating picture shelf mounted to a wall covered in pink and black geometric wallpaper over a white and gold sofa table lit by black double gourd lamps.
Photo Credit: Tara Fingold – Round gray ottomans sit on a gray rug in front of a gray sectional topped with gray pillows. A gray built-in TV cabinet accneted with mesh doors is fixed against a gray wash plank wall finished with a modern fireplace.
Photo Credit: Intimate Living – Living room features a black shiplap fireplace under a flatscreen TV, beige vintage accent chairs with a black pedestal accent table and woven stools at a wooden coffee table.
Photo Credit: Munger Interiors – A flat panel television is mounted to a red brick fireplace wall over a gray limestone mantel flanked by a doorway and an antique brown wood cabinet lit by a white and blue lamp and placed against a red brick wall. Light blue velvet sofas accented with white and blue pillows flank a wrought iron coffee table and matched with blue cube stools and blue stripe accent chairs placed on a blue rug.
Photo Credit: Morgan Harrison Home – Attic family room features a blue couch on a blue paneled accent wall and round blue and brown tray coffee tables atop a blue rug and a blue accent chair.
Photo Credit: Colordrunk Design – Contemporary family room features a gray sectional on a striped accent wall lit by basket lanterns, red and blue woven stools, and colorful paper mache animal heads on a green wall.
Photo Credit: Erica Bryen Design – Turquoise blue roman shades hang from windows framed by hunter green shiplap and flank an inset TV fixed above turquoise blue built-in cabinets lined with gold trim. Side-by-side black and white chevron accent chairs and turquoise blue leather and brass chairs sit on either side of industrial nesting coffee tables placed on a gray rug.
Photo Credit: Reena Sotropa – Living room features a brown reeded wall with black marble fireplace mantle, modern white and gold chairs with a round gold and black coffee table atop a gray rug and a small round accent table.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Lily Interiors – Green and blue pillows sit atop a white couch placed in front of a wall covered in green plus print wallpaper, as a wicker lamp and a blue tray sits on a green parsons end table placed beside a white and black striped accent wall.
Photo Credit: Caitlin McCarthy – High rise apartment boasts a wonderfully designed contemporary living room featuring a blue channel tufted sofa placed on a blue rug in front of a desk positioned against brass and wood ladder shelves finishing a white and black painted accent wall.
Photo Credit: Amy Storm – Black and white abstract art pieces hang over gray leather accent chairs placed on a white and gray rug facing a black wooden waterfall coffee table and gray leather ottomans. A light gray couch is placed in front of a blue ombre accent wall and topped with peacock blue velvet pillows lit by an oil rubbed bronze modular chandelier.
Photo Credit: Melanie Morris Design – Contemporary living room features a green, black and gray lacquered coffee table with a gold and green chair, cream sofa and black and white accent wall.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Backstein Interiors – Chic Speakeasy Wallpaper covers an accent wall complementing blue walls and fixed behind an emerald green velvet sofa matched with a round brass end table and a black glass and brass coffee table.
Photo Credit: Laura U – Living room features a black cane daybed with a blue bone inlay end table against a black and green accent wall, a clear acrylic waterfall coffee table atop a cream rug and a large woven cactus, illuminated by a woven chandelier.
Photo Credit: Collective Studio – A marble slab fireplace mantel with a marble slab surround is fixed against a black vertical plank accent wall. Chunky white styled shelves are fixed over built-in cabinets.
Photo Credit: Lindye Galloway – LIving room features white boucle low lounge chairs on a white and gray striped wool rug, an arched doorway, a white reeded accent wall and a marble fireplace.
Photo Credit: Rose and Funk – A white and brown abstract art piece sits on a marble beveled fireplace mantel against a light brown plank wall.
Stone or Brick
For a more rustic or industrial look, consider using stone or brick on your living room accent wall. This can add warmth and texture to a space, and works especially well in homes with exposed brick or stone features.
Photo Credit: Zoe Feldman Design – A steer triptych art piece is hung from a red brick wall over a brown leather sofa accented with white and gray pillows in a modern country living room. An industrial rivet coffee table sits in front of the sofa on a bold blue rug and seats two wooden accent chairs with white cushions.
Photo Credit: Karen B Wolf – Beneath an abstract art piece and a window covered in an orange and blue striped roman shade, a light gray sectional is finished with purple, gray, and blue pillows. The sectional sits on blue carpeting facing a round orange and blue ottoman coffee table, while an accent wall is clad in gray and blue wallpaper.
How To Make Bold Paint Colors Work For A Living Room Accent Wall
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to create an accent wall in your living room is with paint. Bright, bold colors like red, yellow, or blue can make a statement and add energy to a room. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider painting a geometric pattern or mural on your accent wall.
Photo Credit: Residents Understood – Contemporary black and yellow living room features art hung over a black velvet tufted sofa accented with mustard yellow velvet pillows. A wicker stool coffee table sits on a black and white striped rug in front of the sofa, while gold and black cane chairs are positioned facing the sofa. A flat panel TV sits on a mid-century modern TV cabinet in front of a mustard yellow painted accent wall. The room is lit by a matte black tripod floor lamp.
Photo Credit: Emily Kates Design – Cole & Son Woods Wallpaper covers an accent wall positioned behind a white loveseat topped with black Greek key pillows. The sofa is matched with a round bone inlay accent table lit by a gold lamp and Anthropologie Waterfall Inlay Coffee Table placed on an ivory and gray rug illuminated by smoke gray staggered glass lights. A blue velvet chair sits facing the loveseat.
Photo Credit: Megan Winters – Contemporary living room features a glossy black wall trim with black velvet chair and a cream sofa with black and white pillows lit by a brass floor lamp.
Photo Credit: Erica Bryen Design – A comfy gray sofa sits on a gray rug facing industrial nesting coffee tables flanked by black and white chevron accent chairs and gold and turquoise blue leather accent chairs. Sconces are mounted to a wall clad in Kelly Wearstler Crescent wallpaper, as black poufs are placed in front of a hunter green shiplap accent wall. The wall frames windows dressed in blu roman shades and positioned on either side of an inset flat panel television mounted over built-in hunger green TV cabinets.
Photo Credit: Rose and Funk – This luxurious black and white modern living room a black sofa table placed behind a white sectional topped with white pillows and paired with a round marble top coffee table. Two black sleek wire chairs flank a black accent table that complements a black floating tv unit positioned under a wall mounted tv fixed to a black accent wall. A gray stone 2-story fireplace is located adjacent to floor-to-ceiling windows.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper is a timeless way to add texture and pattern to a room. Consider a bold floral print, metallic accents, or even a textured wallpaper like grasscloth for added depth. Just be sure to choose a wallpaper that complements your existing decor and
Photo Credit: Studio Ten – A white couch accented with black striped pillows is positioned beneath a floating picture shelf mounted to a wall covered in pink and black geometric wallpaper over a white and gold sofa table lit by black double gourd lamps.
Wood Paneling
Wood paneling is a classic choice for an accent wall, and can add warmth and texture to a space. Consider using reclaimed wood for an eco-friendly and unique look, or paint the wood paneling for a more modern feel.
Photo Credit: Tara Fingold – Round gray ottomans sit on a gray rug in front of a gray sectional topped with gray pillows. A gray built-in TV cabinet accneted with mesh doors is fixed against a gray wash plank wall finished with a modern fireplace.
Photo Credit: Intimate Living – Living room features a black shiplap fireplace under a flatscreen TV, beige vintage accent chairs with a black pedestal accent table and woven stools at a wooden coffee table.
Consider the Size of Your Room
If you have a smaller living room, consider choosing a lighter color or pattern for your accent wall to make the space appear larger. For larger living rooms, you can be more adventurous with bold colors and patterns.
Photo Credit: Munger Interiors – A flat panel television is mounted to a red brick fireplace wall over a gray limestone mantel flanked by a doorway and an antique brown wood cabinet lit by a white and blue lamp and placed against a red brick wall. Light blue velvet sofas accented with white and blue pillows flank a wrought iron coffee table and matched with blue cube stools and blue stripe accent chairs placed on a blue rug.
Look at Your Existing Decor
Your accent wall should complement your existing furniture and decor. Consider the colors and patterns you already have in the room, and choose an accent wall that complements them.
Photo Credit: Morgan Harrison Home – Attic family room features a blue couch on a blue paneled accent wall and round blue and brown tray coffee tables atop a blue rug and a blue accent chair.
Photo Credit: Colordrunk Design – Contemporary family room features a gray sectional on a striped accent wall lit by basket lanterns, red and blue woven stools, and colorful paper mache animal heads on a green wall.
Photo Credit: Erica Bryen Design – Turquoise blue roman shades hang from windows framed by hunter green shiplap and flank an inset TV fixed above turquoise blue built-in cabinets lined with gold trim. Side-by-side black and white chevron accent chairs and turquoise blue leather and brass chairs sit on either side of industrial nesting coffee tables placed on a gray rug.
Think about Natural Light
The amount of natural light your living room receives can also impact your accent wall choice. If your living room gets a lot of natural light, consider choosing a lighter color to avoid overpowering the space. If your living room is darker, a bold color or pattern can help brighten it up.
Photo Credit: Reena Sotropa – Living room features a brown reeded wall with black marble fireplace mantle, modern white and gold chairs with a round gold and black coffee table atop a gray rug and a small round accent table.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Lily Interiors – Green and blue pillows sit atop a white couch placed in front of a wall covered in green plus print wallpaper, as a wicker lamp and a blue tray sits on a green parsons end table placed beside a white and black striped accent wall.
Choose the Right Wall
Not all walls are created equal when it comes to accent walls. Consider choosing the wall opposite the main entrance, or the wall behind your sofa or entertainment center for the most impact.
Photo Credit: Caitlin McCarthy – High rise apartment boasts a wonderfully designed contemporary living room featuring a blue channel tufted sofa placed on a blue rug in front of a desk positioned against brass and wood ladder shelves finishing a white and black painted accent wall.
Photo Credit: Amy Storm – Black and white abstract art pieces hang over gray leather accent chairs placed on a white and gray rug facing a black wooden waterfall coffee table and gray leather ottomans. A light gray couch is placed in front of a blue ombre accent wall and topped with peacock blue velvet pillows lit by an oil rubbed bronze modular chandelier.
Photo Credit: Melanie Morris Design – Contemporary living room features a green, black and gray lacquered coffee table with a gold and green chair, cream sofa and black and white accent wall.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Backstein Interiors – Chic Speakeasy Wallpaper covers an accent wall complementing blue walls and fixed behind an emerald green velvet sofa matched with a round brass end table and a black glass and brass coffee table.
Photo Credit: Laura U – Living room features a black cane daybed with a blue bone inlay end table against a black and green accent wall, a clear acrylic waterfall coffee table atop a cream rug and a large woven cactus, illuminated by a woven chandelier.
Photo Credit: Collective Studio – A marble slab fireplace mantel with a marble slab surround is fixed against a black vertical plank accent wall. Chunky white styled shelves are fixed over built-in cabinets.
Photo Credit: Lindye Galloway – LIving room features white boucle low lounge chairs on a white and gray striped wool rug, an arched doorway, a white reeded accent wall and a marble fireplace.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors, patterns, and textures. Your living room is a space to express your personality, and your accent wall should reflect that. Have fun and be creative!
Photo Credit: Rose and Funk – A white and brown abstract art piece sits on a marble beveled fireplace mantel against a light brown plank wall.
Different Ideas for Living Room Accent Walls
Here is a quick list compiled of several different ideas for living room accent walls:
Bold color: A bright, bold color can make a statement and add energy to your living room.
Subtle color: A muted or pastel color can create a calming, relaxed atmosphere.
Textured wallpaper: Textured wallpaper adds depth and dimension to your wall.
Shiplap: Shiplap is a great way to add a rustic, farmhouse touch to your living room.
Stone: A stone accent wall can add a natural, earthy feel to your space.
Brick: A brick wall can add warmth and texture to your living room.
Wood paneling: Wood paneling adds a cozy, cabin-like feel to your space.
Gallery wall: Create an accent wall with a gallery of your favorite artwork or photos.
Mirrors: Mirrored tiles or a mirrored accent wall can add sparkle and shine to your living room.
Stenciling: Use a stencil to create a patterned accent wall.
Decals: Wall decals can be a fun and easy way to add interest to your living room.
Geometric shapes: Create a geometric accent wall with triangles, diamonds, or hexagons.
Stripes: Stripes can add a classic, nautical touch to your living room.
Ombre: An ombre accent wall can add a subtle gradient of color to your space.
Metallic accents: Metallic wallpaper or paint can add a touch of glamour to your living room.
Chalkboard paint: Use chalkboard paint to create a fun, interactive accent wall.
Textured paint: Textured paint can add depth and interest to your wall.
Faux finish: Create a faux finish, like marble or concrete, for an industrial or chic look.
Mural: A mural can add a bold, artistic statement to your living room.
Accent lighting: Install accent lighting to highlight your accent wall and create a cozy atmosphere.
Bookshelves: Install bookshelves as an accent wall to display your favorite books and objects.
Tapestry: Hang a tapestry for a bohemian, eclectic feel.
Upholstered wall: Create an upholstered accent wall for a luxurious, cozy touch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an accent wall?
An accent wall is a wall in a room that is painted or decorated differently than the other walls in the room to create a focal point.
What are some popular colors for accent walls?
Some popular colors for accent walls include bold shades like navy blue, emerald green, deep red, and more neutral shades like gray, beige, and white.
What materials can be used for an accent wall?
Materials that can be used for accent walls include paint, wallpaper, wood paneling, brick or stone veneer, and even fabric.
How do I choose which wall to make the accent wall?
Choose a wall that naturally draws the eye, such as the wall behind a couch or a fireplace. Choosing a wall that is not interrupted by doors or windows is also a good idea.
How do I decorate an accent wall?
You can decorate an accent wall with artwork, mirrors, shelves, or other decorative objects. Just be sure not to overcrowd the wall and let the accent wall take center stage.
Are accent walls still popular in interior design?
Yes, accent walls are still a popular element in interior design. They add visual interest and can help define a room’s style and atmosphere.
Holly Antoine is a Home, Lifestyle and DIY content creator. After leaving behind an 11-year career in the dental field to pursue her passion for design and decor, she developed her own branded site, HollyGrace.ca, where she shares her love of home design, decor, DIYs and inspires others to get creative and build[...]
