Geometric Accent Walls: Timeless Or Trendy? Here's The Difference

From color-blocked murals to abstract wallpapers and criss-cross wainscoting, geometric accent walls have been making waves in recent years, as many seek to inject a bit of oomph into their spaces. But does that make them just another passing trend? What if they become outdated by next year? We spoke to Sarah Bilotta, House Digest's design historian, for answers. Believe it or not, there's such a thing as timeless geometric and trendy geometric. For instance, diamond motifs fall in the former group, while triangles and circles are often in the latter.

That's not to say geometric feature walls won't ever go out of style if you pick the right design, though. "This style of accent wall started to become especially popular in the 2010s and has not yet made its way into the 'timeless' category," Bilotta explains in her exclusive interview with House Digest. "While some geometric patterns, like wainscoting or pinstripes, have been around for centuries and are timeless, the geometric accent wall trend has not been around long enough to prove that it stands the test of time." Either way, they're a great (read: super visually engaging) accent wall idea to liven up a room through shapes, angles, and pattern play.

"Anyone can create a funky geometric accent wall by taping off sections of the wall to create adjacent shapes, and painting each section within a chosen color palette," Sarah Bilotta tells us in her exclusive interview. "I have even seen some very clever DIYers use complicated tape schemes to create optical illusions, like a 'magic eye' painting on their accent wall." These are all stylish, yes, but also influenced by "modern DIY culture," meaning they are more susceptible to falling out of favor as design trends evolve. Trendy geometric walls tend to look more experimental and adventurous. You'll easily notice them by their eclectic designs and colorful palettes. Case in point: the Boho Geometric Abstract Art Wallpaper Mural from Wallmur.

On the flip side, we have the more classic geometric wall coverings. According to Bilotta, wainscoting and other types of wood paneling (like herringbone shiplap, for example) can spice up a blank wall in timeless, geometric style. If you crave more visual interest, dress your wall with ogee wall hangings or subtle, patterned paper. The Fiula Diamond Removable Wallpaper fits the bill here. "Looking through design sourcebooks from yesteryear is a great way to identify more timeless design motifs," the design expert revealed. "I think it takes at least a century 'in style' to make a timeless décor trend."

When asked if a geometric-styled accent wall is worth the money, time, and energy involved, Sarah Bilotta responded with a big "yes." "Especially if you love DIY projects, you can create a very impactful and impressive accent wall using just some tape and a few cans of paint," she adds in her exclusive chat with House Digest. If your ideal design style is artful eclectic, opt for vibrant and detailed. Or, maybe your interior leans minimalist, in which case, something neutral and simple will do. "Even if the wall is not your taste anymore in 5 or 10 years, there's no reason you can't paint or wallpaper over it and start again," Bilotta notes. Think of it as a fun way to refresh your space every now and then, if you will.

This brings us to one of her go-to methods for DIY-ing a geometric accent wall: stencils. Not only do they come in loads of pattern options, they also ensure a clean, polished look. "An example of a chic and easy geometric wall stencil is the Moorish trellis pattern stencil by STENCILIT," the design historian shared. Of course, if you're more of the artsy type, by all means, freestyle your accent wall by hand and have fun with different shapes. Why not throw arches, wiggly lines, and other organic shapes into the mix? Bilotta's advice is to just be sure you actually like the paint colors, drawings, and textures before diving headfirst into your mural.