We have all seen a Pinterest pin with stunning decor and excellent room planning. This picture has everything you ever wanted in your dream bedroom – the beautiful walls, the subtle decor, and the heartwarming vibe of calling your room your safe haven. After sifting through some pins, you discover that there’s a common element tying all these rooms together – it is the accent wall! From the perspective of a seasoned interior designer, an accent wall is a great addition to any house, making for some sophisticated changes that are subliminal, while being sophisticated. Accent walls have always been a staple in an interior designer’s repertoire, but it is seldom given its due credit. Here is Aashita Chadha, Co-Founder and CFO of Bangalore-based luxury interior design firm, ‘The KariGhars’ expounding on the details of accent walls to add that much-needed touch of playful whimsicality and “je ne sais quoi” that every contemporary home needs!
Aashita remarks that accent walls need to be perfectly positioned so that their full effect can be felt. The job of an accent wall is to attract attention and hold on to one’s focus, so if the accent space is located poorly, then instead of highlighting the beauty of your space, the entire focus will be on the imperfections. Thinking about the flow, layout, and other highlighting features of a room, one can make the choice of conveniently selecting an accent wall space. A fireplace, vaulted ceilings, or a headboard are some great examples of elements that an accent wall can hold a viewer’s attention. If your humble home does not have a critical space like this, Aashita recommends the use of some statement furniture like a retro sofa or decor pieces placed in front of the accent wall that instantaneously grabs the viewer’s attention. However, these things should be complementary – opposing aesthetics can vie for the viewer’s attention, thereby reducing the impact of the accent wall.
Accent walls can be created using paint or wallpapers. Aashita does not have a strict rule when choosing a medium – this is contextually dependent on what the client wants. For instance, painting walls is a great way to elevate the look of a room, with minimal effort, adding that much-needed depth. However, it cannot be changed frequently, and one needs to be sure of the color they are choosing as it will last for a long time. On the other hand, wallpapers are more affordable but need professional installation. On the flip side, wallpapers can easily be changed to match the seasonal decor trends, making them the perfect choice for homeowners who are looking for a fresh look all around the year!
Now comes the brass tacks of the accent wall – Choosing the right color or wallpaper for your accent wall. Aashita emphasizes the importance of subtlety while making a big statement to attract attention. If one is opting for a dramatic color like that of sunset orange, peacock green, or crimson, Aashita smartly advises to back it up with a softer and neutral color palette so it doesn’t get too overwhelming and shadows other decor elements.
However, if one wants to create a larger accent wall, one can opt for a dimensional trim to have a more impactful base of soft pastels. Wallpapers are tricky to choose, but as a general thumb rule, if the room has a patterned rug, avoid going for wallpaper as they can be contrasting and steal the limelight. It can also make for very confusing and overwhelming interiors, and no one wants that, says Aashita.
Committing to accent walls may seem daunting at first, but it needs smart execution and a lot of planning so that the outcome is perfect. It is perfectly normal to feel intimidated by an accent wall, but with the help of a professional and experienced interior design firm like that of The KariGhars, you can achieve the home of your dreams, without feeling lost when making these choices!