The One Room In Your House To Avoid Putting An Accent Wall

When you're looking to add some character to the blank spaces of your home, accent walls are a go-to choice. That said, the success of an accent wall hinges on several factors like color choice, surrounding decor, and the specific room you choose. If you pick a room that isn't suited for an accent wall, even the best design elements may not be enough to salvage it. To avoid this mistake, you'll want to consider keeping an accent wall out of one specific kind of space: small rooms. Whether it's a tiny powder room, a snug office space, or a cozy reading area, accent walls tend to overwhelm and shrink these already crowded spaces.

There are plenty of accent wall mistakes you should avoid at all costs, but one that is often overlooked is starting off in the wrong room. These designs can be a huge asset in large, bright spaces that can benefit from some contrast. Alternatively, there's a limited amount of open space in small rooms, and breaking it up with an accent wall can make it feel cramped. Many different approaches to accent walls, like gallery walls — the popular design trend that is making your room look smaller than it is — can have a minimizing effect on small spaces. However, there are some other styling choices that can make your space feel bright, open, and visually appealing without overwhelming it.

If you want to add visual interest with accent decor in a small space, less is more. Instead of crowding an accent wall with busy design pieces, try a simpler approach that can open the space, rather than compress it. One method is to hang a large textile or piece of artwork to create a singular, bold focal point. Or, add a large, stylish mirror — it will reflect light around the room, opening the space to make it appear bigger.

In rooms with windows, there are plenty of accent wall alternatives that will maximize their impact. Floor-to-ceiling curtains can visually elongate the room, making it appear taller and more spacious. On the other hand, you could take inspiration from an HGTV pro — Joanna Gaines ditches window treatments for a charming alternative look. In a tiny breakfast nook, she used vertical rectangular tiles to create a checkerboard-style accent wall around undressed windows. This method not only heightens the wall but frames the windows in order to open the room without dominating the space. If you planned to paint one accent wall, consider color drenching, which instead uses one color across all surfaces to create the illusion of a bigger space. For this expansive effect, choose lighter shades, as darker colors can make rooms feel smaller. There are plenty of ways to add interesting decor to a small room without crowding the space.