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01 of 30
Matte Black
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This NYC bedroom from interior designer Alvin Wayne has floor-to-ceiling windows and city views. A matte black accent wall behind the bed grounds the space, and the room’s natural light keeps it from feeling too dark or oppressive. A bright, bold, multicolored piece of art above the bed pops against the matte black walls, and mirrored nightstands reflect light and add depth.
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02 of 30
Terracotta
![terracotta accent wall]()
Caroline Andreoni Interior Design / Photo by Sophie Lloyd
This charming Parisian kids’ room from Caroline Andreoni Interior Design has a calming and earthy terracotta accent wall that’s decorated with a flock of white birds for a note of whimsy.
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03 of 30
Neon Yellow
![neon yellow accent wall]()
Design by Vanessa Scoffier / Photo by Hotel Henriette
You don’t have to paint the whole of an accent wall, which can be overwhelming in a small space. In this compact room designed by Vanessa Scoffier at the Hotel Henriette, a neon yellow paint border with a purposefully uneven edge creates an offbeat take on an accent wall that energizes the space.
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04 of 30
Forest Green
![forest green accent wall]()
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Christy Q. Photo
Matte forest green walls give this minimalist San Francisco bedroom from Cathie Hong Interiors a calming feel. An emerald green velvet headboard adds dimension and a shiny brass sconce adds contrast.
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05 of 30
Sage Green
![sage green accent wall]()
This light and airy Barcelona apartment from Fantastic Frank has white walls, pale wood flooring, and sage green paint on the ceiling above the dining area that turns the room’s fifth wall into a modern accent wall that complements the neutral space.
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06 of 30
Taupe
![taupe accent wall]()
This kids’ room from Gray Space Interiors has a dark taupe accent wall that grounds the space and prevents the pastel accents from feeling overly sweet.
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07 of 30
Deep Teal
![royal blue accent wall]()
A deep teal accent wall adds bold color and sets off a curvy white sofa and midcentury modern wall sculpture in this Austin, TX, living room from Erin Williamson Design. A vibrant deep pink Moroccan rug adds another strong dose of color that makes the room feel balanced.
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08 of 30
Coral Pink
![coral pink accent wall]()
Most Lovely Things gave this NYC apartment a simple makeover with a bright coral pink half accent wall that defines the dining area and can be painted over easily before you move out.
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09 of 30
Charcoal Gray
![charcoal gray accent wall]()
A painted charcoal gray accent wall in this twin bedroom from Erin Williamson Design complements the stone wall while making the space feel cozier.
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10 of 30
Ochre
![ochre accent wall]()
@afrobohemianliving / Instagram
This sliver of a dining room accent wall from @afrobohemianliving is painted in a deep earthy shade of ochre that adds contrast with the white walls and creates a backdrop for a framed museum poster.
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11 of 30
Navy
![navy accent wall]()
Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Zeke Ruelas
This dining room from Emily Henderson Design is visible from the living room through a wide arched opening. Dark navy paint on the far wall adds depth and dimension that defines the space.
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12 of 30
Purple
![purple accent wall]()
This bedroom ceiling from Dekay & Tate is coated in a luminous shade of medium purple that makes it feel cozy and inviting.
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13 of 30
Robin’s Egg Blue
![robin's egg blue accent wall]()
Louis Duncan-He Designs / Photo by Heather Dunbar
This primary bedroom accent wall from Louis Duncan-He Designs is painted in a fresh and soothing shade of robin’s egg blue. Blue decor accents are carried throughout the room for an integrated feel. Simple wood detailing in an asymmetrical pattern adds dimension and texture to the wall.
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14 of 30
Pistachio Green
![sage green accent wall]()
This soothing pistachio green accent wall from Brexton Cole Interiors covers the built-in cabinetry and open shelving of this home office that adds subtle color without overwhelming, and makes the gilded accents pop even more.
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15 of 30
Midnight Black
![black bedroom accent wall]()
This beach house bedroom from Desiree Burns Interiors has a deep matte midnight black accent wall that highlights the architecture and makes the room feel cozier. Paired with crisp white and vivid green accents, the room feels fresh, relaxing, and bright.
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16 of 30
Tan Beige
![tan beige accent wall]()
In a neutral space dominated by white walls, you don’t have to go crazy with a bold saturated color to make an impact. In this living room from Louis Duncan-He Designs, a tan beige accent wall broken up by a central fireplace adds warmth and depth while blending in with the light palette.
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17 of 30
Medium Gray
![medium gray accent wall]()
Design by Kate Marker Interiors / Stoffer Photography
Medium gray shiplap is carried from the wall down to the cabinetry in this modern farmhouse laundry room from Kate Marker Interiors for a neutral take on the accent wall.
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18 of 30
Two-Tone Blue
![two-tone blue accent wall]()
Louis Duncan-He Designs painted a graphic two-tone blue accent wall in this dining room that helps take the focus off of the high-placed windows.
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19 of 30
Pink Ombre
![pink ombre accent wall]()
Design by Vanessa Scoffier / Photo by Hotel Henriette
An accent wall doesn’t have to be painted in a solid color. In this room designed by Vanessa Scoffier at the Hotel Henriette in Paris, a pink ombre wall adds subtle color and is complemented by shades of blue throughout.
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20 of 30
Royal Blue
![painted ceiling accent wall]()
Erin Williamson Design turned the ceiling into an accent wall with bold royal blue paint that highlights the A-frame shape of this Texas lakehouse.
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21 of 30
Pearl Gray
![pearl gray accent wall]()
Caroline Andreoni Interior Design / Photo by Sophie Lloyd
A pearl gray accent wall helps to define the kitchen and dining area of this open-plan Paris apartment from Caroline Andreoni Interior Design without demanding too much attention, adding subtle dimension to the mix of cool and warm neutral tones of the space.
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22 of 30
Sky Blue
![pale blue accent wall]()
Accent walls don’t have to be loud or bold. In a neutral bedroom, you can add subtle variation to the wall behind the bed by painting it in a pale neutral like this icy sky blue wall from Michelle Berwick Design.
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23 of 30
Turquoise
![turquoise accent wall]()
Louis Duncan-He Designs added a bright painted turquoise shiplap accent wall that gives this coastal bedroom a jolt of color and helps the sculptural sconces and wall art to stand out.
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24 of 30
Rainbow Stripes
![rainbow accent wall]()
In a kids’ playroom, Michelle Berwick Design created a multicolored rainbow stripe accent wall that turns what could have been an awkward corner into a bright and cheerful signature feature in the finished basement.
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25 of 30
Deep Sea Blue
![navy accent wall]()
This coastal bathroom from White Sands has textured deep sea blue walls that give it a dynamic but calming feel and complement the white and wood tones of the room.
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26 of 30
Pastel Pink + Blue
![pastel two tone accent wall]()
Design by Vanessa Scoffier / Photo by Hotel Henriette
This twin room designed by Vanessa Scoffier at the Hotel Henriette in Paris has a two-toned, pastel pink-and-blue accent wall that visually divides the space.
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27 of 30
Medium Blue
![blue accent wall]()
Louis Duncan-He Designs / Photo by Eymeric Wilding
Louis Duncan-He Designs painted a simple graphic accent on the wall of this living room home office that helps to visually divide the hybrid space. A painting hung above the desk that straddles both the blue and white sections of the wall makes it feel pulled together. This is a simple DIY that just requires a small pot of blue paint and some painter’s tape to keep the line looking sharp.
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28 of 30
Saffron Yellow
![mustard yellow accent wall]()
Design by Vanessa Scoffier / Photo by Hotel Henriette
An accent wall doesn’t have to dominate the room. In this compact bedroom suite designed by Vanessa Scoffier at the Hotel Henriette, vibrant saffron yellow paint turns what could be a forgotten corner into a vibrant feature that marks the transition between the bathroom and entry. Textiles in shades of yellow carry the color throughout the room for an integrated feel.
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29 of 30
Peach + Blue
![graphic accent wall]()
This finished basement accent wall fro Michelle Berwick Design has a play of geometric shapes and variations of blue and peach that make it feel fun and family-friendly.
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30 of 30
Blue-Black
![blue black accent wall]()
Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona
Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona used a deep bluish-black paint that looks more blue by daylight and more black by night for the accent wall of built-ins that grounds the space and makes it feel cozy while helping to hide the flat-screen TV.
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What accent wall colors make a room look bigger?
In a long and narrow space, a dark accent wall color such as charcoal, matte black, or chocolate brown can make the room look bigger by making it hard to see where the walls begin or end. You can make a small room look bigger with a luminous shade of yellow, pink, coral, or pale blue that will brighten the space and reflect natural light.
Should an accent wall be brighter or darker than the rest of the room?
An accent wall color should be at least a couple of shades lighter or darker than the rest of the room to create an impression. You can opt for a lower contrast accent wall by going lighter if your aim is to be subtle, or a high contrast accent wall that is brighter or darker than the other walls for a more dramatic look. If your chosen accent wall is a ceiling, use a dark color to make the room feel more grounded, sky blue for a dreamy feel, or your favorite shade to personalize a bedroom or kids’ room.
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