Feature Wall & Everything You Need to Know About It

We have all seen those home makeover and interior decor TV shows with the hosts that love to wax lyrical about ‘adding a feature wall’. But does a feature wall have any place outside a villa renovation project?

In short, yes.

But first:

What Is a Feature Wall?

shiplap texture — Shiplap is a popular option for feature walls!

Also known as an accent wall, a feature wall is essentially a wall, usually in your main living area, that has a different, more striking colour, pattern or texture than the rest of the room, drawing the eye towards it without overwhelming the rest of the space. It’s a great way to liven up a largely neutral space and show off your personal style, making it a quick way to inject some personality into any seemingly identikit-space!

How to choose a feature wall

choosing a feature wall in a dining room — Choosing a feature wall is probably the most important part of the process.

The first thing to do is figure out which should be your feature wall – don’t just pick one randomly! Work with the space’s existing architecture – for example, where does the eye naturally travel? If you have a TV against one wall, this would be a great option. Perhaps your apartment has a wall that sticks out slightly compared to the rest, or, a wall against which your quirky sofa sits? The key here is to not force people who enter the room to try and decide which wall to look at first – it should be natural.

Keep in mind that you should also stay away from creating a feature wall in a room that is already crowded with knick-knacks, busy furniture or is simply too small. A feature wall cannot magically create space in a tiny room and the entire area will just end up looking chaotic, messy and claustrophobic.

If you have an open plan living, dining and kitchen, consider using the wall to mark out the area functionally. For example, choose the wall in the dining area as a visual space demarcation.

feature wall ideas

Creating a feature or accent wall can be about so much more than just slapping some paint on the right wall. There are so many ways in which you can really make any space pop!

Use The Natural Texture of the wall

The raw texture of concrete makes for a good feature wall!

If you find yourself able to carefully scrape the paint off a wall, you may be onto a winner! All you need is a wire brush (found in hardware stores and several supermarkets) and a drop cloth to catch the paint flecks. The rough and industrial look of the concrete underneath will add a unique touch of factory chic to your room. Just remember that if this is in a rented apartment, you will have to fix or repaint the wall before you move out, or risk your deposit!

Go Geometric

geometric wallpaper pattern for an accent wall — Careful use of a geometric pattern can add class to any room.

While covering an entire room in a geometric print will probably make you feel like you’re living in a giant optical illusion, using it on just one wall is a great idea. Visually arresting but not overpowering if used on just one wall, you can choose any size of geometric pattern.

Don’t be afraid of prints!

leaf patterned feature wall — Use an oversized pattern or natural motif in your accent wall.

An oversized print (in the form of a sticker, large stamp or even customised wallpaper) is a way to showcase something you love, such as nature, by using a leafy print.

Feature and Function with Blackboard paint

blackboard paint on a feature wall — Make your feature wall work for you with a lick of blackboard paint.

Thanks to chalkboard or blackboard paint, you can convert any wall in your house into a reusable canvas for your daily notes, reminders, motivational sayings and even doodles! It’s also a way to add some personality to your next dinner party, to show the menu, house rules and more.

Don’t Be Afraid to Stand Out

a feature wall with circular protrusions — Create your own texture by using simple cutouts and one colour of paint.

Who says feature walls have to be flat? Find anything from cardboard cutouts to old pieces of technology, CDs etc, paint them one colour and affix them to a wall that’s the same colour. The texture created by the object that will stick out slightly is a great feature wall option!

Feature wall tips, Dos and Don’ts

A feature wall with matching bedcovers — You can also carry a motif from the feature wall through to the rest of the room by using similarly patterned furnishings.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of material, paint colours and more!
Make sure that whatever you choose to do with your feature wall, it is not completely at odds with the rest of your room’s decor
Go green and consider a living wall
Don’t use a feature wall as a ‘trial run’ for the rest of the room (that you know you will probably never get around to painting!)

For more interior design advice, why not check out what the pros at Nakkash have to say about this year’s design trends? Or if you think that your home simply can’t be saved, even by a feature wall, search for a new property with Bayut.com.

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