A Beginner’s Guide To Feature Walls – let’s take a look.
Are you in the midst of decorating your new home or redecorating the sanctuary you have already created? One of the easiest ways to refresh and redefine the atmosphere in your home is to add a feature wall. That single wall in your living room or bedroom that stands out from the others because of its different colour, different texture, or design, and never fails to serve as a point of interest and add depth and extra personality to your space.
So, don’t worry if you lack time, a feature wall is the easiest thing to elevate your room’s aesthetic. If you are a beginner in decorating and home DIY, it’s also the ideal design project as it is both affordable and impactful.
In this article, we will guide you through the steps you need to take to redefine your space with a single feature wall.
A Beginner’s Guide To Feature Walls
How to Choose the Right Wall
You know you want to change a wall, but where do you start, and which wall should you select as the focal point of your room? It is really about achieving a balanced look in the end, so the best choice is often to choose a wall that naturally draws the attention in a room. It can be the wall behind your bed, sofa or fireplace. Having this in mind, it is a good idea to observe how your furniture is arranged, as a feature wall should enhance the layout you already have.
The way the light falls into your room can also help you choose which wall is best. If a wall receives good natural light, then it could emphasise textures and colours well if it’s chosen as the feature.
However, do avoid walls with windows or doors, as these will disrupt the impact you want to create with the design.
Pick the Perfect Style
Now that you have chosen the wall you want to refresh, it is time to choose the style that will best capture your personality and intent.
Paint: Painting your wall is probably the easiest and most versatile solution. You can create a dramatic look with a simple, bold colour or add dynamism by adding some geometric patterns.
Wallpaper: This option also offers endless possibilities, textured looks, intricate patterns, colours and mural-style designs. It is a fantastic way to make a big statement in your room without too much effort.
Wood & Panels: If you are a fan of a more natural look and an architectural touch, consider trying shiplap or wainscoting panelling or add wood to introduce more warmth into the room.
Stone & Brick: If you want to achieve a more rustic or modern industrial atmosphere and you don’t mind a little extra effort, opting for stone and brick feature walls can dramatically transform the way your place feels.
Tile & Textures: Best for kitchens and bathrooms, you can play around with tiles and more textured surfaces to add visual interest that will also be very easy to maintain.
Complementing Your Feature Wall with Existing Decor
Always remember that the aim of the feature wall is to complement, not overpower, your existing aesthetic. When choosing the colours, style and design, take into consideration how they will interact with what is already present in the space. In this way, you will achieve a cohesive look where everything seems to fall into the right place.
For example, if your room has a predominantly natural palette, a bold colour or a gallery wall will introduce a striking contrast and immediately add depth and personality such a room would be otherwise missing.
But if your place is already vibrant and bursting with playful character, a subtle texture or pattern could be exactly what’s needed to balance the look and avoid visual strain.
What you should always be aiming for when decorating is balance. Allow the feature wall to stand out in harmony with the rest of the pieces in your room.
Do-It-Yourself or Ask for Help
DIY projects can be a very fun and creative endeavour, and achieving a refreshed, impactful new look in your home all by yourself is an extremely rewarding feeling. In the case of feature walls, it would be especially successful to do it on your own if you have opted for a simple paint, peel-and-stick wallpaper, or basic wood panelling. If you are a beginner, these options will allow you to experiment without a significant cost or risk of unsatisfactory results.
However, some of the design choices are more demanding. Intricate wallpaper patterns and stone and brick installations can be challenging, costly, and ultimately, at higher risk of failure if done without any prior experience. In these cases, consider hiring a professional to help you out.
Feature Walls: A Dance of Balance & Expression
The key to a beautifully executed feature wall really is selecting the right wall and always striving to achieve balance with everything else in the room. It is a combination of creativity, thoughtful consideration and coordination that will ultimately lead you to impactful results.
The possibilities are endless – from simple solutions to more intricate designs; whatever you choose, always make sure to enjoy the process and infuse your unique personality into the space.
