17 Beautiful Accent Wall Ideas, From Wallpaper to Paneling

If you're looking for an easy way to incorporate an eye-catching focal point in a space, accent walls are the way to go. But typically, when we think of accent walls, the first thing that comes to mind is a bold, bright paint color. Yet there are so many ways to bring a touch of creativity to a room other than with paint—think wall paneling, tile, wallpaper, and, in some cases, accent ceilings that take a room to all new heights.

In need of a little inspiration? These accent wall ideas are fresh and fun and provide just the right amount of style without overwhelming an entire room.

Laura Botelho, principal designer at Laura Botelho Interiors
Michelle Gage, interior designer at Michelle Gage Interior Design
Amy Switzer, interior designer at Amy Switzer Design

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Geometric Wall Paneling

Geometric wall paneling gives texture to this bedroom space, while the deep hunter green brings visual interest against the white walls. Lower profile furniture allows the accent wall to really become a focal point of the room, designed by Laura Botelho, principal designer at Laura Botelho Interiors.

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Bookshelf Accent Wall

colorful blue Pittsburgh home tour dining room with window — Credit: William Abranowicz

A book lover's dream, devote an entire wall to built-in bookshelves for a unique, collected look that becomes the center of attention.

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Verdant Green Wallpaper

The eye is instantly drawn to this deep green wallpaper that beautifully complements the magenta headboard and colorful pillow accents. It creates a striking focal point for an otherwise neutral bedroom.

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Plaid Pattern Ceiling Play

Look up! Reach outside the typical four walls for an accent ceiling instead—in this case, covered in a rich, green and blue plaid patterned wallpaper that brings together the dark teal walls and blue upholstered chair.

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Bright Hexagonal Tile

kitchen with white cabinets and blue tile — Credit:
Natalia Robert

A pop of playful color in this white kitchen comes in the form of pretty blue hexagonal tile.

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Large-Scale Pattern

In a room as vast as this loft living room, a large-scale patterned wallpaper is the way to go. Featuring green leaf motifs against a fun pink background, the accent wall provides texture and color to what could have been an otherwise large, vacant wall.

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Vertical Wood Slat Paneling with Hidden Door

Rich, vertical wood-slat paneling complements the deep magenta walls and wood desk. Look closely, and you'll find there are hidden doors within the accent wall, blending in seamlessly when they are closed for a cohesive look.

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Floral Accent Ceiling

If your walls are already bold, the ceiling can offer a dynamic space to focus attention. Here, a floral wallpapered ceiling brings the same green, yellow, and orange tones found in the rest of this vintage-inspired sitting room.

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Lively Blue and Yellow Wallpaper

Here, interior designer Michelle Gage chose a yellow wallpaper with delicate blue birds, branches, and leaves to offset the red brick interior wall. A jewel-toned upholstered headboard and sweet pink pillows pull this bedroom together.

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Country Flower Bar Accent

Accent Walls — Credit:
Brian Wetzel / Michelle Gage Interiors

A bright country kitchen with a small, inset bar area benefits from bold, floral wallpaper that brings visual contrast to the textures found in the cabinets and countertop.

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Herringbone Shiplap

White Heringbone Shiplap in Dining Room — Credit:
Laura Botelho Interiors / Hillary Muzykewicz Photography

Turn shiplap on its head by eschewing the more traditional horizontal placement for a unique herringbone design, which is what Botelho did here for this dining room accent wall. A mirror featuring square panes and a large, light ash wood sideboard help to visually break up the pattern.

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Elegant Matching Wallpaper

In this elegantly designed dining room by Gage, the accent wallpaper echos the upholstery of the formal dining room chairs, offering a subtle, organic touch to a space grounded in deep dark wood furniture.

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Neutral Wallpaper

Not all accent walls need to pop with bright hues—take, for instance, this accent wall designed by Gage, which brings a darker neutral pattern to the all-around neutral bedroom color scheme.

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Dark Wood Paneling

Black Wall Paneling in Nursery — Credit:
Amy Switzer

Vertical, matte black wood-slat paneling on one wall provides a contemporary feel in this children's bedroom, designed by Amy Switzer, interior designer at Amy Switzer Design.

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Tropical Laundry Room

Lighten up your laundry room with a playful tropical accent wall, and you'll be instantly transported each time you need to use the space.

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Vintage Ceiling

A whimsical alternative to a standard white ceiling, this accent ceiling is covered in a vintage-inspired floral pattern with the same notes of blues, purples, and yellows that show up in the rest of this space designed by Gage.

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Cheerful Lemon Wallpaper

Brighten your day—literally—each time you walk into your laundry room with a cheerful lemon wallpaper accent wall. A small framed painting of lemons adds just the right touch of whimsey to an otherwise utilitarian space.