A feature wall is one of the quickest ways to give a room personality, and one of the quickest ways to make it look dated if it’s done without a plan. The bright red wall behind the TV gave feature walls a bad name. Today’s feature walls are more considered: richer colours, texture, panelling and colour that wraps around the room rather than stopping at a corner.
Here are feature wall ideas that actually work, and how to choose the right one for your space.
First, pick the right wall
The best feature wall is the one your eye goes to naturally when you walk in. That’s usually:
- The wall behind the bed
- The wall behind the sofa or the main seating
- A wall with a fireplace or a built-in feature
- The end wall of a hallway
- The wall behind a dining table or bar area
Avoid walls broken up by several doors and windows. A feature wall needs a clear, uninterrupted surface to have impact.
1. A deep, grounding paint colour
Rich greens, deep blues, terracotta, chocolate and charcoal create drama and make a room feel cosy. Deep colours work especially well behind a bed or in a dining room, where you want intimacy. Keep the other walls in a soft, warm neutral that shares an undertone with the feature colour.
2. Colour drenching (the modern alternative)
Instead of one bold wall, paint the walls, skirting, architraves and sometimes even the ceiling in the same colour, or tones of one colour. It sounds bold, but it often makes a room feel calmer and larger because the edges disappear. It’s a great option for small bedrooms, studies and powder rooms.
3. Two-tone and half walls
Paint the lower third or half of the wall in a deeper colour and the top in a lighter one, or run a painted band at picture-rail height. It adds character without overwhelming the space, and the deeper colour on the lower section hides scuffs in hallways and kids’ rooms.
4. Panelling and battens
V-groove panelling, vertical battens and wainscoting add texture and shadow. Painted the same colour as the rest of the room, they’re subtle; painted a contrast colour, they become the focal point. Battens behind a bed or TV are especially popular in modern Australian homes.
5. Wallpaper
A large-scale print, a botanical mural or a subtle grasscloth texture can do what paint can’t. For renters, removable (peel-and-stick) wallpaper is an option, but check your lease and test a small area first.
6. Limewash and textured finishes
Limewash and other mineral or textured paint finishes give soft, cloudy movement to a wall. They suit Japandi, coastal and Mediterranean-inspired schemes, and look particularly good with natural light moving across them.
7. A painted arch or shape
A painted arch behind a bed, desk or shelf creates a focal point without committing a whole wall. It’s a small, inexpensive project that adds a lot of character.
Tips for getting it right
- Test colours properly. Paint large samples (at least A3 size) on the actual wall and look at them morning, afternoon and night.
- Connect it to the room. Repeat the feature colour in a cushion, artwork or rug so it doesn’t feel random.
- Think about the light. Deep colours look darker on walls that get little sun. In south-facing rooms, choose a slightly lighter or warmer version.
- Keep the rest calm. One focal point is enough. Let the other walls support it.
FAQ
Are feature walls out of style?
The single, randomly bright wall has had its day. Considered feature walls (deep colours, panelling, wallpaper or colour drenching) are very much current.
What colour should the other walls be?
Usually a soft white or warm neutral with a similar undertone to the feature colour. Our guide to warm white vs cool white paint explains how to match them.
Should the ceiling be painted too?
With colour drenching, yes. With a single feature wall, a soft white ceiling is usually best so the room doesn’t feel lower.
Try your feature wall before you paint. Test Taubmans colours on a Design it Yourself style board with your flooring and furniture, and see how the whole room works together first.