Wood Accent Walls May Be Harder To Maintain Than You Realized

Have you ever looked at a wood accent wall and thought, "That's pretty, but it looks hard to keep clean?" You're not wrong! So, if you're considering putting one of these pretty, but not always practical, walls in your home, take a minute to consider the maintenance you may need to do down the line. This is integral to avoiding the biggest mistakes people make when installing a wood accent wall. These walls — especially those designed with intricate patterns that leave gaps between the pieces of the wood — not only require regular dusting and cleaning, but other maintenance. From repairing dings and scratches to worries about humidity and fading, there's a lot to think about when deciding whether the beauty of a wood accent wall is worth the added work.

A few factors may inform your ultimate decision on whether a wood accent wall is right for you; chief among them is where you want to install the wall. Prevention is often better than maintenance. While bedrooms and living rooms are good candidates, you may want to avoid wood accent walls in bathrooms and even kitchens because of the concerns about increased humidity and the chance for warping. Excessively dry conditions can also be an issue, so if you have cold, dry winters, a humidifier may be necessary to keep the wood from drying out and shrinking. If your home is climate controlled, this may not be an issue, but there are other concerns to keep in mind.

Dusting may already be a regular part of your cleaning routine, so one extra wall may not seem like a big deal. However, there are other factors at play here. When you let dust build up on your accent wall — or any wood — it can scratch the surface. Additionally, the tools you use will matter. If you generally hit everything in your room with a feather duster, that won't work for your accent wall as they just move dust around. Instead you will need to wipe down your wall once a week with a microfiber cloth. If your walls need more than dusting to get rid of dirt and grime, wiping them down with soapy water is best, as harsh chemicals can do more harm than good.

When you're cleaning the wall, it's also a good time to inspect for any damage. Just like any surface — especially in high-traffic areas — accent walls can be dented or scratched. ​​Depending on your final design, you may need to regularly sand and refinish or use touch-up paint to address scratches. If bigger issues arise, you may need to use wood filler on dents before refinishing or repainting. This reality may impact the types of wood you choose for your accent wall. Hardwoods, like oak, may stand up better to daily wear and tear, while softwoods, like pine, may damage more easily. Or perhaps you can use reclaimed wood with the understanding that dents and scratches are all part of the charm.

We've all seen what happens when an area rug is moved after years in the same spot on a wood floor. The area protected by the rug looks entirely different from the exposed wood, and that's due in part to the effects of the sun on the floors. The same fading can happen to your wood accent wall when it is exposed to the UV rays of the sun. Keeping curtains and blinds closed can help, but you may not think limiting the natural sunlight in your home is worth protecting your accent wall.

You could consider using a UV protectant film on your windows, or just understand that regular repainting or refinishing may be necessary to ensure the wall maintains a uniform appearance. Another option is to think strategically about where to put the wall. Much like avoiding kitchens and bathrooms will help control humidity issues, placing your accent wall in a north-facing room where there isn't much sun may keep the finish from fading quickly. If this all sounds like a bit much to handle, figure out how to choose an accent wall design that fits your style. There are many lower-maintenance options.