Accent walls have frequently fallen in and out of favor over the last few years. One year they're the only way to add character to a room, the next they date a room. But what's the future looking like for this long-lived style? Is the accent wall still on trend for 2024?
Accent walls have had a bit of a glow-up in 2023, with wonderful examples using interesting finishes to add texture and depth to a room. They've started to evolve and have become a more permanent feature instead of simply a bold paint shade or a wallpaper, so perhaps in their new form accent walls do have a place in interior design trends for 2024.
Are accent walls still on trend?
'The term accent wall can conjure images of bold colors and garish wallpapers made popular by 90s television, but done well, an accent wall will create a focal point in a space,' says Tom Rutt, director and founder of TR Studio.
1. Wooden slats – painted or bare
We predict that slatted wooden walls are going to be the next big thing when it comes to accent walls. They can be earthy and grounding one minute and bright and contemporary the next – all with a lick of paint.
2. Painted brickwork
'The 'new' accent wall isn't about a bold paint color or a slice of wallpaper,' says Julia Miller, creative director of Yond Interiors. 'Accent walls are now more architectural, defined by framing and millwork details or a material shift like plywood sheeting or floor-to-ceiling tile.'
3. Bold and detailed wallpapers
Wallpaper has been the way not to do an accent wall for a while, but with the right pattern, in the right space, it can add so much to a room and yet not overwhelm the space.
4. Wall murals (if done right)
Wall murals are a very 2024 way to do an accent wall. A lot of trends for 2023 and going into 2024 are about creating homes with character, rooms that are filled with personality, and murals are a sure-fire way to do this.
5. Panelling
Wall paneling as an accent wall has become more popular recently, it's ideal if you want to create a traditional finish mimicking the centuries-old style.
There's no doubt that accent walls are here to stay for 2024, but the approach is changing. The one wall of wallpaper is perhaps old hat now and what's replacing this dated look is far more exciting large-scale prints, wall murals, and 3D designs that add far more interest to a room than just a single wall of color or pattern.
