DIY Functional Art With An Artsy Wood Plank And Shelf Accent Wall

Tired of a boring wall dragging down the rest of your interior decor? If so, it might be time to consider putting up an accent wall in your home. These artistic arrangements can vary greatly in appearance, but typically use a mix of dramatic colors, natural textures, and interesting patterns to spruce up the visual appeal of a room. Accent walls can also be a good way to establish or support your preferred interior design style. A selection of artfully-cut trim wood pieces, for example, could be the perfect way to give your dining room a mid-century modern glow. Alternatively, you might opt for an ornate peel-and-stick wallpaper if you're going for a luxury vintage vibe instead. 

If you want to give your bedroom a stunning modern update, you can create an accent wall with stained wood slats, small decor shelves, and a striking splash of paint. When you assemble the slats in a ladder-like arrangement, you can simply slot your shelves between them, which allows your smaller decor pieces to become an essential part of your wall's final look. The concept for this project comes from thenavagepatch on TikTok, and is sure to complement your modern or contemporary interior design. In fact, it's definitely one of the best accent wall ideas to liven up your entire home.

To create your accent wall, start by picking a bold, dark color of paint for its surface. Then, purchase 1 inch by 2 inch furring strips, some pre-stain, and a can of walnut wood stain (Varathane Dark Walnut Fast Dry Wood Stain is a solid choice here). Finally, you'll need a ¾-inch thick board that you can cut into shelves, some brad nails, and some construction adhesive. The first step is to paint your wall. While you're waiting for it to dry, cut your furring strips to varying lengths between 1 and 3 feet, and sand them down. Then, cut your shelves down to your preferred size. Smaller is better, since they won't have brackets to hold them. Apply your pre-stain followed by your walnut stain to all wood components.

Next, locate your wall studs with a stud finder, and mark their position with painter's tape. You can then attach your furring strips to the wall horizontally with brad nails, starting from the space just below your crown molding. Use a level to keep them straight, and use your shelf pieces as spacers to make sure the gap between each strip is even. Attach them to the studs where you can, and use adhesive where you can't. Then, nail small pieces of ¾-inch wood onto the strips below where each shelf will go, and drill the shelves onto these new pieces with their back edges between the furring strips.

The decor pieces you add to your accent wall shelves might seem small, but they could play a major role in making the surface look more elegant. A mix of small house plants could add a nice touch of green, and make your space more relaxing. Alternatively, small framed photos or artwork might be perfect for adding a more personalized touch. Want things to appear a bit more ornate? Try displaying decorative cups or bowls instead. Make sure to vary the heights of the pieces you're working with, and don't forget to leave plenty of negative space between them, or your shelf will look cluttered.

The above tutorial only allows for smaller shelves with a low weight capacity. If you'd like to put larger decor pieces up on your accent wall, you'll need bigger shelves, which also means you'll need to make room on your wall for shelf brackets. Luckily, fixtures such as Goovilla Heavy Duty Floating Shelf Brackets shouldn't take up too much extra space. You can make room by either cutting out a small section from your furring strips, or by widening the gap where the shelf will go. Make sure to drill the brackets into your wall studs when you put them up. You'll also need to determine the perfect material for your DIY floating shelf. Metal or glass shelves, for example, could provide some visual variance from your accent wall panels.