The idea of an accent wall is simple—add a pop of color and depth to a room with a complementary or contrasting paint color. But the practice of incorporating an accent wall can be a little tricky. That’s why the Red Star Paint & Decorating Center team is here to help. We have seen every possible mistake, and we can help you avoid them.
The Wall’s Not Properly Prepared
In a room with dark-colored walls, you may think a light accent wall could be just the thing to brighten the space. But be careful—painting light or bright colors over darker bases won’t always give you the hue you expect—especially if you use paint alone. That’s why you need a Benjamin Moore primer to help cover those deep tones. Pro tip: for covering darker shades with lighter shades, so for a darker gray primer instead of white or cream so that the transition to your lighter tones is more true to color.
You Make the Room Too Dark
In a room with light-colored walls, you may think a dark or very bright shade—think burnt orange or turquoise—on the accent wall will add the perfect amount of interest and intrigue. However, an intense hue will make the entire room appear darker unless it gets a lot of natural light. Peek into the room at various times during the day to see how much sunlight it gets before deciding.
The Color is Overpowering
Accent walls are meant to be fun, so how can you go overboard with color? It’s important to remember that however fun and exciting a shade looks on a paint chip, that will be magnified many times when you apply the color to an entire wall. The best way to avoid a color that makes you say “wow” instead of “whoa” is to go with a color that’s more toned down than you think you want. This allows you to make the room more interesting without suffering from buyer’s remorse a few months later. Select a few finalist samples and paint wide test swatches to get a fuller feel of your new shade.
Not Taking the Furniture into Account
Women know it’s easier to match shoes to a dress than vice versa. The same is true for accent walls. Matching paint to your existing furniture is far easier than finding furnishings that accent paint. Another perk to choosing a paint that coordinates with your current furniture is that you already know you like the color.
Adding an Accent Wall to a Room That’s Too Large
Accent walls are an excellent way to add a little pizazz to a room, but you should avoid them in vast areas or open-concept spaces. The problem with an oversized accent wall is that you risk the accent wall looking like the dominant color in a room rather than a highlight to it. If you want to spice up the appearance of an expansive space, add an accent shade to a smaller alcove. You can also paint a wall with built-ins to break up the color.
Omitting an Accent Wall
Maybe you’re intimidated by choosing a color, or you simply love the color currently on all four walls. You may think you don’t need an accent wall, but odds are, you do. An accent wall can completely transform a room's aesthetic and keep it from being bland and generic-looking. If you’re thinking about repainting a room but are unsure which color will work best, starting with a single wall will help you decide if it’s right for the space.
Contact Us
Red Star Paint & Decorating Center has been family-owned for over two decades, and our team has the experience and knowledge you need to bring the beauty of accent walls to your home. We carry Benjamin Moore paint and all the tools you need for professional-looking results.
Stop by to see us at 420 Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair, NJ, or contact us online. We are happy to serve Montclair, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Bloomfield, NJ, and the surrounding areas.