Are Accent Walls Out Of Style?
In this post I’ll answer the question are accent walls out of style.
There was a time when accent walls were THE thing to do in your house.
But like all things trendy, the vibe has shifted.
Here’s a rundown of the accent wall trends that used to be popular, why they’re not anymore, and how to modernize them without doing a complete overhaul.
What is a feature wall or accent wall?
A feature wall, sometimes called accent wall, is one wall of a room that somehow stands out different from the others. It’s usually a cost-effective way to create a focal point in a room.
The trend has come and gone over and over for decades. It just looks a little different each time it starts getting popular again.
A few years ago the accent wall trend REALLY got popular.
Why are accent walls out of style today?
A feature wall as a focal point will always be something that, if done well, will be in style.
But some accent wall styles go out of style because either the overall aesthetic just did not work well…or it got SO trendy and overused we simply became tired of it.
Here are the 4 types of accent walls that used to be super popular but are definitely outdated today:
1) Bold painted accent walls make the room feel smaller:
Whether it was a rich teal in the bedroom or a moody charcoal in the living room, painted feature walls used to be everywhere.
Often, the wall behind the bed or sofa was chosen as the “statement wall” and painted to stand out.
What most people didn’t realize at the time was that painting just one wall in a room can actually make the space feel smaller.
Dark bold painted accent walls make rooms feel smaller and are outdated.
2) Patterned wallpaper accent walls clash with furnishings and decor:
Accent walls covered in floral, geometric, or tropical wallpaper became trendy, especially in spaces like powder rooms or nurseries.
This trend was all about making a bold impression. But now it clashes with the more neutral aesthetic that’s trending and can make a room feel too busy or cluttered.
Bold patterned wallpaper accent walls can make a room feel too busy.
3) Shiplap feature walls don’t coordinate with other styles:
The modern farmhouse style of the 2010s gave rise to shiplap, wood planks, and reclaimed wood accent walls.
The problem with random shiplap walls is that it usually doesn’t blend well with the rest of the home’s style.
Unless you’re going all-in on the farmhouse style, shiplap will feel random in a room.
Outdated: random shiplap accent walls that don’t blend with the rest of the interior style.
4) Asymmetrical and geometric molding feel disjointed:
Lots of homeowners used thin molding to DIY an accent wall with different asymmetrical molding and geometric shapes.
It was an affordable way to add visual interest. But unlike traditional wall molding like board and batten or wainscoting, this look felt more chaotic than classic.
Today, this look feels busy, overdone and even…tacky.
Geometric molding accent walls like this are outdated now.
Tips for updating your accent wall
If you have one of these dated accent walls, don’t worry.
Here are 4 easy ways you can give it a modern refresh:
1) Repaint it a neutral, cohesive shade:
One of the simplest ways to update an accent wall is to repaint it in a color that coordinates with the other walls in the room. If the other walls are also painted in bold colors, try repainting the whole room in a soft, neutral white.
If you still want a little color variation, consider toning it down with a lighter, more earthy tone. Sage greens, soft terracottas, and warm beiges feel fresh and organic without clashing with the rest of the room.
Painted accent walls that are more on trend now are warmer and complement the other colors in the room.
2) Replace geometric accents or bold wallpaper with classic wall molding:
If your accent wall has busy wallpaper or geometric molding, consider removing it and replacing it with more classic wall molding.
The clean lines of board and batten, wainscoting and picture-frame molding are all timeless choices that can add visual interest to your walls without feeling too busy or trendy.
Classic wall molding, like board and batten, has replaced the trendy geometric trend.
3) Create a focal point with large artwork or a gallery wall:
Another option is to replace your accent wall’s paint or wallpaper with large-scale artwork or a gallery wall. This adds a personal touch and makes the room feel curated rather than trendy.
A simple photo gallery can be a great accent wall that won’t ever go out of style.
Are accent walls outdated completely?
Accent walls may not be as “loud” as they once were, but they’re not entirely outdated…they’ve just evolved.
If you do have an accent wall that feels outdated, try to make it feel more relevant and fresh for today.
Today’s accent walls are all about enhancing a room’s feel rather than creating a single bold statement, so focus on cohesion, warmth, and personal touches to bring your space into the present.