8 Feature Walls That Wow

Whether you’re designing a living room, bathroom or home office, a feature wall is an easy way to create a focal point—and incorporate some much needed colour, texture and fun into an otherwise simple space. Not sure exactly what kind of accent wall to go for? Scroll through these inspiring examples from the WL archives.

Break the Mould

What do you do when a homeowner falls in love with an oversized rust-coloured corduroy sofa? If you’re designer Brianna Hughes, you decide to match that energy with wainscotting and a rich paint color (in this case, Benjamin Moore’s Espresso). The wall’s texture and hue, as well as the wood-panelled ceiling, give this living room a cool ’70s vibe. See more of this cozy Edmonton home.

Floor It

It is possible to have too much of a good thing—but not in this bathroom. Designer Phyllis Lui of Kalu Interiors covered the floor and wall with a wood tile from Olympia Tile, and we’re pretty obsessed with how it turned out. Check out the rest of this renovated Vancouver Special.

Circle Back

While the owners of this Vancouver condo chose to finish their architectural circle wall with vinyl decals, there are plenty of other ways you can customize this accent wall detail. Paint it, wallpaper it, cover it with artful wall hooks—the options are endless. Find out how to get this look at home.

Brighten Up

Did you know that black accents can make a space seem brighter? In this North Vancouver home, designer Andrea Rodman paired dark furniture, light fixtures and architectural features (that staircase!) with whitewashed oak details to create a light and airy look. The living room feature wall, lined with wooden slats, keeps with the beachy-calm palette. Step inside this black, white and neutral abode.

Play the Angles

Wallpaper can be messy… so don’t bother applying it. This inspo photo from Behr shows how you can get a one-of-a-kind geometric look with a bit of tape and a few cans of paint. Learn more about this pink and peach feature wall design.

Black Out

Sometimes all you need to create a showstopping accent wall is a coat of paint. Take this Emma Whiting Young-designed space, for instance. The white rafters add striking contrast to the bold black wall in the living and dining area, giving the home a definitive wow-factor. Tour this Scandi-bohemian retreat.

Pay a Complement

Kelly O’Quinn, senior designer at PlaidFox, originally thought about installing this angular millwork elsewhere in the home—but we’re really, really glad she didn’t. Painted in Benjamin Moore’s rust-toned Ten Gallon Hat, it perfectly complements the white fireplace and wood ceiling in the living and dining room area. See more before and after renovation photos.

Set in Concrete

Yes, feature walls can be subtle. In this 3,936-square-foot residence, SuCasa Design and Gregory Funk Design used natural concrete to make a simple statement in the entryway—proving that less can be more. Check out the rest of this sophisticated Chilliwack home.