Bedrooms are often considered safe havens for relaxation. If your neutral room lacks excitement, consider an accent wall for a refreshing change. Accent walls can range from a simple painted wall to intricate built-ins around the bed. Here, we present 16 of our favorite bedroom accent wall ideas for minimalists and DIY enthusiasts alike.
1. Install Picture Frame Molding: Chelsey Brown of CityChicDecor highlights the appeal of pre-war buildings with their intricate moldings and wood floors. Many DIYers, like Chelsey, recreate this look by installing picture frame molding. Traditional methods involve cutting and nailing wood trim, or using rental-friendly peel-and-stick molding.
2. Frame Wallpaper Murals: Madeline Scalzi of TulipsForTheTable adds a black and white mural within frames in her bedroom, mimicking the look of art while creating a focal point.
3. Add Vertical Trim: Carly Fuller of MyCityApartment suggests installing vertical trim as a simpler alternative to picture frame molding. This can also be rental-friendly with peel-and-stick strips or small nails.
4. Paint an Accent Wall in Soft Pink: Erika Ver of PeonyandHoney advocates for dusty pink bedrooms, showcasing a guest room with DIY molding and an earthy pink hue that feels comforting. Experiment with just one wall or door if you’re hesitant about full commitment to pink.
5. Put Up Board and Batten: Drew Michael Scott of LoneFoxHome adds architectural interest with board and batten, framing the bed and enhancing the intentionality of the space. This can be easily updated with different paint colors.
6. Install Built-Ins: Emily Sermons of ShoeBoxDesigns advises utilizing the wall around the bedframe for maximizing square footage, especially when storage is limited.
Emily Sermons of @shoeboxdesigns framed her bed out with classic white built-ins. These can be open or closed storage and act as a nightstand for either side of the bed. There’s a splash of green behind the headboard to call attention to the star of the show.
Caroline Mullen of @caroline_mmullen shows that there’s absolutely no rule saying you can’t just paint part of your accent wall. In fact, it gives a faux board and batten effect, making the ceilings look taller and giving the space the illusion of architectural interest. Designer Shamika Lynch of MaximizingTiny used grasscloth wallpaper for texture. Vinyl peel-and-stick wallpaper is great for renters or frequent redecorators, but grasscloth wallpaper is a more luxe touch for a bedroom. Shamika Lynch upgraded her client’s bedroom with this wallpaper, providing visual interest while still being a neutral backdrop. Designer Sarah Lyon brought in a marble mantel and a vintage mirror on top for an accent wall not behind the bed. Allie Provost showcases this in Sarah Lyon’s Upper East Side apartment. Jessie Ruane of JessieFinds shows how to make a triangular wall work by leaning into it. Curtains flank large windows to soften and heighten the space, and a custom headboard ties in with the terracotta paint color. Drew Michael Scott of LoneFoxHome used limewash paint for a touch of old Europe. Layer gray limewash onto intricate moldings to create a Parisian ambience in a standard rental bedroom. Pick one wall to try out this trend. Creativa Studio/Getty Images shows how to create the illusion of an oversized headboard by painting the wall behind your bed and leaving two swaths unpainted or painting them a different color. Behr’s 2017 Paint Color Trends show that small bedrooms can look good with a moody, dark shade. Use it to create interest on an accent wall, especially if there are architectural details to add depth and charm. Behr also shows that painting your trim, ceiling, and the lower third of your bedroom wall a darker color, while leaving the top two thirds of the wall a softer shade will create a fun sandwich of color behind your bed. If you’re lucky enough to live in a place with natural wood paneling in good condition in the bedroom, consider leaving it, preserving it, or staining it. Veronica Crawford’s photography shows this.Transform your bedroom into a stunning space with minimal effort. Embrace an awkward ledge by painting it a tonal shade, creating a serene and calm vibe. This can be a gorgeous place to display art, as Brady Tolbert did, and will become its own accent wall with very little lift on your part.
A lime-washed wall adds texture and interest to your bedroom. Utilize the ledge to lean art against the wall or, if it’s deep enough, for a stack of books designated for bedtime reading. Explore 28 guest bedroom ideas for a cozy, inviting space. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit.
