Feature walls, also called accent walls, are a fantastic way to add personality and visual interest to a room. A feature wall typically uses color, texture, and contrast to stand out from the other three walls. While feature walls can have an incredible impact, you don’t have to go bold if you don’t want to; subtle patterns and neutral colors are other avenues to explore if you’re nervous about making the space too loud and overwhelming.
You can create feature walls with many different materials: paint, wood, and tile are just a few. Today, we’ll be focusing on tile feature walls. We’ve got some gorgeous inspiration photos below, as well as plenty of tips and tricks that will help you design your own aesthetically pleasing feature wall.
Feature Wall #1: 3D Geometry
These six-inch by six-inch 3D square ceramic wall tiles are strikingly eye-catching and bring a modern feel to any space by adding depth and character. (Take a look at some of the other ceramic styles you can use for accent walls here.) Fun and unique, a feature wall with these tiles inspires creativity in an office setting and stimulates conversation in a living space. Playing with the room’s lighting creates an even more one-of-a-kind effect.
Feature Wall #2: Diamonds and Designs
With immediately attention-grabbing diamonds and abstract designs, this blue and white tribal print-inspired porcelain tile adds personality to the space. Selecting a tile like this one enables you to put together unlimited patterns and conceive a design that matches the room, whether that’s a bedroom, living room, bathroom, or anywhere else in the house. Check out some of the designs that you can make with this tile below.
Feature Wall #3: Mini Chevron Mosaic
These beautiful Calacatta Gold stone tiles formed into a chevron mosaic elevate the space when used as an accent wall. The hints of gold mixed with white and gray tones exude elegance and refinement. Although the inspiration photo above shows this tile used as a bathroom accent wall, it would also look excellent as a kitchen backsplash (learn everything you need to know about backsplashes here).
Feature Wall #4: Two-Tile Combo
This accent wall stands out because it utilizes two different tiles with complementary colors. Putting sapphire blue ceramic subway tiles with porcelain encaustic tiles brings together the essence of water with an exuberant art deco-inspired touch.
Feature Wall #5: Vertical Subway Tile
Classic subway tile consists of horizontal rows of three-inch by six-inch tiles with a 50% offset. This accent wall adds quite the twist to the traditional application in three ways: First, it uses three-inch by 12-inch ceramic tiles; second, it arranges them in vertical rows, rather than horizontal; and third, it eliminates the offset to create a sleek grid. The contrast created between the white feature wall and charcoal wall and accessories nearby, plus the touch of green from the potted plant, make it pop even more.
Feature Wall Design Tips and Tricks
Feeling inspired and ready to design your own feature wall? As you consider materials, colors, and patterns, keep the following tips in mind.
Choose Complementary Colors
When designing your feature wall, one thing you’ll want to focus on is the color palette. Regardless of the pattern or color you select, ensure that it complements the color scheme of the rest of the room. Choosing an incredibly bold color or design for your accent wall simply for that “wow factor” doesn’t always work well if it doesn’t mesh with the rest of the space.
Define the Space
If you’re planning to put an accent wall in an open-concept or multiple-use area, then it’s wise to use it to define the space. For example, if you have a living room that also functions as a dining room, then placing the feature wall in a way that sets the dining room apart makes the wall practical as well as visually appealing.
Highlight the Existing Focal Point
As you decide which wall should be your feature wall, it’s best to use the wall that already functions as the room's focal point (as opposed to a random wall). The feature wall in the living room might be the one with the fireplace or where the TV sits; in the bedroom, it’s likely the wall behind the headboard. Identify the focal point of the room and use the feature wall to highlight it further.
Select a Suitable Space
While feature walls look amazing in many spaces, they’re not always a great addition. For example, if you have a very tiny or overcrowded room, putting in an accent wall can make the space even more overwhelming. A general tip is that feature walls need room to breathe. That doesn’t mean there can’t be anything near the feature wall, but having too much furniture, accessories, and other forms of decor right next to it can make the room feel chaotic.
Mix Up the Materials
While we focused on tile feature walls in this article, tile isn’t your only option! Paint, wallpaper, stone, and wood can all be used to create accent walls, and you can even mix and match them to form an entirely unique design.
Avoid Obstructions
To maximize the impact of a feature wall, select a wall that’s mostly free of obstructions. There’s no problem with having a piece of furniture, a fireplace, or a television on the wall, but a wall that’s full of windows, doors, and multiple furniture pieces probably isn’t ideal. In order to draw the eye to the wall and make it stand out as much as possible, try to avoid obstructions.
Find Balance
If the room where your feature wall is located is painted in a neutral shade, try choosing a somewhat brighter color for your feature wall. Conversely, if you’ve chosen bright paint for the room, a complementary color a few shades lighter or darker is an excellent choice for the accent wall. Remember that feature walls don’t necessarily have to be excessively dark or overly bright to add personality to the room. It’s all about choosing a style that balances with the interior design choices you’ve already made.
Create the Feature Wall of Your Dreams with Tilezz.com
Jump in and check out thousands of tile options for your feature wall at Tilezz.com. With a massive collection of natural stone, ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles in a variety of colors, shapes, textures, and designs, there’s something for every preference and style. While you’re there, take a look at our blog for more posts like this one!