Every home has that “one favorite wall” everyone keeps on looking at. This wall is often painted in a different color, making it stand out from the other walls in the house. This may also be the wall where the TV is mounted. Lastly, this is the wall that displays wall art and framed photographs.

It is called the “accent wall”, “feature wall”, or “focal wall.” Whatever you call it, a good accent wall is one hell of a way to add color, pattern, texture, and interest to your space without being overwhelming.

If you’re looking to update your accent wall this 2019, here are 9 inspiring accent wall ideas to ponder.

1. Paint with an Eye-popping Hue

Color is the cheapest and easiest way to enhance, not only an accent wall, but also your entire space. Pick a color that blends well with the other colors in your room: if the existing wall color is warm, pick a warm color for your accent wall. Even neutral colors have undertones and temperatures worth considering.

Gone are the days when red is the go-to color for an eye-popping accent wall – today, there are other bold colors to love. If you’re trendy, you may opt for the Pantone’s color of the year, Living Coral, a fun, summery shade that’s a hybrid of pink and orange.

2. Stencil Your Way to a Punched-up Wall

Stenciling a wall with a creative pattern is one awesome way to add more character to the room without going overboard. There are a lot of designs to choose from, from trendy geometric and Moroccan patterns to intricate ethnic and nature-inspired themes.

3. Go Big and Bold with Wallpaper

Want a stylish look minus the commitment? Whether you’re a renter decorating with landlord’s restrictions in mind or someone who doesn’t like permanent paint, using a temporary wallpaper sure works for you.

There’s a wide range of patterns and color selections. For a striking look, nature-inspired flora and fauna prints, like palm leaves, flowers, and flamingos, are a huge hit. Classic patterns like stripes, polka dots, chevron, and geometric patterns are safe bets. Looking to take your solid color walls to another level? Go for dreamy ombre wallpapers.

Patterns can also be used to create an illusion: patterns in vertical stripes make the ceiling look taller while patterns in horizontal stripes can make the sense of the space larger.

4. Create a Textured Accent Wall with Wood or Brick

Dreaming of bringing that rustic, weathered style to your home? Next, to having wooden furniture pieces, you can never go wrong with a wooden plank accent wall. Look for peel-and-stick wood panels that help create a warm accent wall effortlessly.

For added texture and personality, you may also consider faux exposed brick paneling, which also makes stunning backdrops for your wall art pieces and furniture.

5. Treat Boring Walls with Classic Moldings

Moldings aren’t limited to ceilings and doorways – they add interest to a boring wall too. The classic look has been around since the ancient times, but the decorative style still rocks up to this day, giving depth to an otherwise plain surface. Aside from wood or plaster, you can find molding using foam and reclaimed wood too.

6. Jazz Up with Glass Tiles

You might think tiles only belong to kitchen and bathroom walls, but they also work for your living room. In fact, glass tile accent walls can transform your space from looking plain to looking high-end.

If you have the budget, tile the entire wall in splendid glass tile. But if you don’t have that luxury, you may consider elegant peel and stick alternatives that don’t look any different from pricey tiles.

7. Showcase a Great Focal Point

A feature wall is called such for a reason – to feature something. It could be a gorgeous fireplace or television. However, there are other focal points worth looking at aside from these two.

One example is hanging a large statement mirror at an eye level, which helps brighten and enlarge the space. You could also hang a large, dramatic art piece. Add more interest to your space by building your room around this art piece. You could choose a color or two, or pattern from your focal piece and incorporate it in small touches throughout the space.

8. Display an Insta-Worthy Gallery Wall

If hanging a single piece isn’t enough to showcase your personality, then you might love creating a gallery wall instead.

Hang a collection of framed pieces, from artworks to family photographs. Almost anything can be framed – even the bouquet of roses your boyfriend gave you last February. You can hang 3D handicrafts too, like plates, woven pieces, and faux taxidermy, to create a striking mixed media gallery wall.

9. Go for Open Shelving

For an accent wall that’s both visually interesting and functional, consider open shelving. Display a few well-chosen décors including small plant pots, frames, clocks, vases, figurines, and other novelties.

If you’re including books into the mix, the rule of thumb is to combine two-thirds books with one-third home décor. Another golden rule is to keep ugly, inexpensive pieces hidden.

Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a resident writer for Wincrest Home Builders, one of NSW’s most experienced and well-renowned home builders aiming at building and designing modern family homes in Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast, and the Hunter. She loves writing articles focused on real estate and interior design.