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Want a simple way to make a bold statement without repainting your entire home? An accent wall might be exactly what you need. It’s one of the easiest tricks for adding personality, depth, and contrast — and you can do it in a single afternoon.
When Should You Use an Accent or Feature Color?
Accent colors instantly elevate a room by adding focus and dimension. They can:
Highlight a Focal Point: Frame a fireplace, headboard, or built-in shelving.
Add Depth: Darker colors visually expand or cozy up a space.
Test Bold Colors: Try dramatic shades without committing to a full room.
💡 Quick win: Accent walls can also balance open-concept spaces or define zones in multipurpose rooms.
How to Choose the Right Wall
If you choose to create an accent or feature wall, you should know that every wall is not a good candidate! Choose one that:
Features a natural focal point (like a fireplace or large piece of art).
Is visible when you first enter the room.
Isn’t interrupted by too many windows or doors.
💡 Skip: Random or side walls with little visual weight — they can make a space feel off-balance. The key here is visual weight. Some side/random walls are actually key walls, visually.
If it is a wall you see on automatically on a regular basis, or it is in a space you want to pop out more, then it is fair game. What you are avoiding here is painting a wall that adds little visual value.
Choosing the Perfect Accent Color
Accent colors don’t have to be dark — they just need intentional contrast. Here are easy starting points:
Bold & Dramatic: Sherwin Williams Iron Ore or Benjamin Moore Hale Navy.
Bright & Playful: Sherwin Williams Coral Reef or Benjamin Moore Tropicana Cabana.
Calm & Peaceful: Soft blues, greens, or muted clays for a soothing feel.
Layered Neutrals: Use deeper tones of your base color for quiet sophistication.
Muted & Elegant: Pair Sherwin Williams Repose Gray with Mindful Gray for subtle contrast.
💡 Pro tip: If you’re using a curated palette from Millie Hart Interiors, pull an accent directly from your pairing guide — it ensures perfect flow with the rest of your home.
More Than Just Paint
Accent colors can live anywhere — not just on walls. Try these creative upgrades:
Wallpaper: Adds pattern and personality.
Wood Panels or Shiplap: Creates warmth and texture.
Tile: Perfect for kitchens and baths for instant impact.
Painted Furniture: Reinvent a piece with color for an easy refresh.
Cabinets: Use accent tones on kitchen or vanity cabinetry for a designer finish.
💡 Easy win: Start small — like painting a console or adding peel-and-stick wallpaper — to test the look before committing to a full wall.
So - now that you have some tips to work with, what are waiting for? I love how easy (and fast!) this one project transforms homes, and you will too :)
Happy Painting,
Millie
