The Functional Living Room Design Trend That's Replacing Outdated Accent Walls

Maybe it's the copious amount of online content showcasing the limitless potential for attractive interiors, or perhaps it's the clever hacks appearing on your social channels every day that make home upgrades more accessible. Whatever the reason, homeowners today want more from the design of their living spaces. Despite the many accent wall ideas that can liven up your home, even these beloved fixtures simply aren't enough to deliver the form or utility you demand. For some designers, accent walls are on the way out, and functional feature ones are on their way in. Although they take more planning to pull off, well-designed feature walls anchor a space and provide timeless appeal in their depth and eye-catching styling. And what could be a better way to inject purpose into your living room's layout than by creating a bookshelf wall?

Bookshelf feature walls solve design problems while elevating the room's aesthetic. Not only do they mesh with trends, like bookshelf wealth, maximalism, and personalized interiors, but they also make your home more organized and enjoyable. Supporting assorted books, plants, and curios, the shelf becomes a desirable backdrop that can be as subtle or attention-grabbing as you want. When used with purpose and authenticity, it will make a statement without seeming ostentatious. Simply put, a bookshelf wall can complete a living room while supplying enough design versatility to match anyone's taste.

Before you can think about how you're going to design and fill your bookshelf feature wall, decide where you're going to put it in the living room. Look for underserved areas that could use an update. Awkward alcoves make a perfect resting spot for a custom built-in, especially if it shares a wall with other focal features, like fireplaces. If it's in an out-of-the-way corner, you may even have space for a reading nook or built-in bench to complement it.

Creating storage and display space without stealing from other elements is the key. Placing a bookshelf where it can consolidate storage for other pieces opens the room up for flexible arrangements. Positioning it behind the sofa will keep it from impeding on the visiting area. However, if that isn't an option, try an intriguing transition from one room to the next by putting it around and over the living room entryway. Here, you can make smart use of the bare space to get the most out of your living room and free up high-traffic areas.

When you find the spot where a bookshelf feature wall would benefit your living room the most, measure the space and plan your shelves. Rather than minimalist floating shelves, this trend works best with sturdy bookcases. Their architectural features and trim will help blend the display with the rest of the room. Meanwhile, you'll enjoy the flexibility that stand-alone wall shelves simply won't allow.

To start, choose between fixed and adjustable shelves. Adjustable shelving will give you more storage space and can be easily customized. On the other hand, fixed shelves won't leave unsightly holes in the shelf walls if you like to change your decor. They can be more sensible if you don't have much decor to fill the shelves or need a sturdier shelf for heavy items. Besides, you also have the option to add cabinet doors to the bookcase design and manage how you highlight items. Solid panel doors offer a great way to hide cluttered shelves and handle overflow. Meanwhile, glass doors create a display case to show off your prized treasures and protect them.

So, how do you build your feature wall? Creating a built-in from scratch is one option, letting you use quality details like rich wood frames, attractive finishes, and unique layouts. Or, you could take it easy and use pre-made shelving. Employ an IKEA hack to make gorgeous built-in shelves or search for freestanding units that fill the space's dimensions. As long as they extend from floor-to-ceiling, any style can have an impressive impact.

Simply adding a bookshelf and filling the shelves isn't enough for a functional feature wall. Consider adding texture and color as you would to a typical accent wall to make your shelf truly unique. Avoid making it a stark contrast to the rest of the room. Use complementary color schemes and patterns to help the shelf stand out in its own right but also mix with the rest of the room to create an inviting space. You could even use the surrounding wall color to eliminate any guesswork. Paint the shelves or the backing in the same color as the wall, and let the other surfaces create a contrast that will draw the eye. Remember, decor will affect the tone of your feature wall, so you'll have the flexibility to update the look as time goes on.

The decor can do much of the heavy lifting for the feature wall's look, but you may need to get creative when you have limited shelf decorations. Patterned backings, such as beadboard or wallpaper, are a perfect solution. Remove the shelves and apply the design to the bookshelf's back panel. Or, put the design directly on the wall before installing your bookshelf if it has an open back. Even if there are large gaps around the decor, the visual interest will stay consistent across the wall. Find that extra flair that makes the wall equal parts function, fashion, and personal expression so it can be more than just a built-in bookshelf.

The reason this feature wall trend is gaining steam is because it puts the focus back on your interests, pastimes, and personality. But should you style your bookshelf with a designer's eye? Absolutely! Start the curation process with items that have meaning, evoke memories, or provide some other benefit. Think along the lines of assorted family photos, favorite books, travel mementos, and inspiring artwork. Even as you fill your shelves, thoughtful choices will make the look feel more deliberate than cluttered or confused.

Play around with how you group and place items, using tried-and-true tricks to effortlessly arrange your bookshelf decor. If you have a decent amount of books, build collections across the shelves. Mix in sets of vertical and horizontal books. Use stacks to hold the odd treasure, remembering to work in odd numbers. You can then fill the gaps with art, records, and other decorative elements to create flow and balance. By keeping some open spaces in areas throughout, you can also define small vignettes. Don't be afraid to color outside the lines. Let artwork hang boldly in front of shelves, and use the shelf's depth to layer your decor. Getting into this trend means staying true to yourself. When you can create a functional layout that captures your enduring essence rather than a rising trend, you won't have to worry about this flexible feature losing its appeal anytime soon.