While your attention might be on the furniture, flooring, and the aspects of the room’s decor that tend to take up the most space, you shouldn’t ignore the walls. Do it too much and it can soon make any room feel rather lifeless and sterile as a result. A good feature wall can make a big difference to the feeling of the whole room, and here, we’re going to look at the many different ways you can create one.
Give It a Different Look
A change in color can immediately set the wall apart from the rest of the room, drawing attention to its design and giving it prominence. Bold colors like deep blues, emerald greens, or charcoal grays create drama and can act as a striking focal point. Lighter colors, on the other hand, bring in airiness and brightness, perfect for spaces where you want to create a more serene and open atmosphere.
Wallpaper is another versatile option. With the wide range of patterns, textures, and designs available today, wallpaper can instantly transform a space. From bold geometric patterns to more subtle floral or textured prints, wallpaper allows you to inject personality and style into a room. It also adds depth to a space, particularly in rooms where walls may otherwise feel flat or bland.
Give It a Whole New Texture
Materials like wood, stone, or cladding provide a tactile and visually engaging experience that paint or wallpaper alone cannot offer. Wood paneling, for instance, is a timeless option that works well in various styles, from rustic to modern. Horizontal or vertical wooden slats create clean lines that can make a room feel cozier or more elongated, depending on the direction of the paneling.
Stone cladding is another popular option, especially for those who want to add an earthy, natural element to their interiors. A stone-clad wall exudes luxury and texture, making it perfect for living rooms or bedrooms where you want a sense of warmth and sophistication. Other materials like brick or concrete cladding can add an industrial edge to a space, ideal for urban lofts or contemporary homes.
Add Some Mirrors
Mirrors are not only decorative but also functional, making them a fantastic addition to a feature wall, especially in smaller rooms. By reflecting light, mirrors can make a space feel larger and more open, which is particularly helpful in cramped or narrow areas like hallways or small living rooms. A single oversized mirror can dominate a wall and create a stunning centerpiece, or you can arrange a collection of smaller mirrors for a more artistic and eclectic look.
Incorporating mirrors into a feature wall design can also enhance natural light, bouncing it around the room to brighten darker corners. Positioning a mirror opposite a window maximizes the impact of daylight, giving the room a more airy and inviting feel. In addition to opening up the space, mirrors come in a variety of shapes and frame styles, so you can use them to reinforce the aesthetic of the room.
Set Up Some Shelves
Shelving on a feature wall serves a dual purpose: it adds visual interest while also providing a place for storage or decorative items. Floating shelves, in particular, can create a clean, streamlined look while allowing you to display your favorite decor pieces, from books to small sculptures, plants, or even framed photos. By arranging shelves in a deliberate way—staggering their height or placing them asymmetrically—you can create a dynamic, layered effect on the wall.
A well-styled shelf can act as the central feature of a wall, allowing the objects on display to tell a story and reflect your personal style. Mixing different materials like wood, metal, or glass for the shelves can further enhance the visual appeal, adding texture and depth.
Let Art Catch the Eye
A feature wall dedicated to artwork can turn an ordinary room into an artistic gallery space. Whether you prefer large statement pieces or a curated gallery of smaller works, wall art is a surefire way to make a feature wall stand out. The choice of artwork can vary depending on the style of your home and personal taste, bold abstract paintings for a modern look, vintage posters for a retro vibe, or serene nature photography for a more traditional setting.
The way you arrange the art can also make a difference. For a more structured and formal appearance, you can align a series of framed artworks symmetrically. Alternatively, a more eclectic arrangement can be achieved by mixing different sizes and frame styles in a gallery wall formation, where the collection of pieces as a whole becomes the focal point.
Hang Some Fabrics
If you want to add a sense of warmth and texture to your feature wall, hanging fabrics such as drapes, tapestries, or even rugs can be a great option. Tapestries often feature intricate patterns or designs that introduce a bohemian or artistic feel to a room. They’re also lightweight and can easily be swapped out to refresh the look of your space.
Using a rug as wall decor is another unique way to bring texture to a feature wall. A woven or patterned rug, especially one with vibrant colors or interesting textures, can create an unexpected and dramatic focal point. These fabric-based options work well in rooms where you want to introduce a softer, more relaxed atmosphere, such as a bedroom or lounge area.
Emphasize the Right Walls
Choosing the right wall to turn into a feature is just as important as deciding how to decorate it. In most cases, you want to select a wall that naturally draws the eye, such as the one opposite a window, which gets plenty of natural light, or the wall that your sofa runs along, as it’s already a focal point of the room. By choosing the right wall, you ensure that your feature wall complements the layout of the room, enhancing the overall flow and visual balance.
There are as many different ways to establish a feature wall as there are senses of style. The above tips can give you a few directions to explore, but how you do it is up to you.
