Accent Wall Dos and Don'ts You 'Wood' Be Smart to Follow

Now that spring is on its way, it seems only fitting that you'd want to spruce up your home a bit. If you don't feel you can commit to a substantial renovation or feel there's a particular room that needs only a little face lift, you really can't go wrong with an accent wall. A fresh coat of paint or some stick on wood planks can totally transform a space without help from a contractor. But before you start using your stick on panels or open up the paint can, you "wood" be smart to consider these dos and don'ts.

Do...

• Pick the Best Spot: If you've decided to incorporate an accent wall, you'll also need to determine where the best spot for this accent wall will be. Not every wall is well-suited to this type of design. You should first pick a space that's in need of some interesting architectural features. Your accent wall should be a conscious choice, rather than a cop-out for whole room decoration. Keep in mind that if you choose a room with windows, that the wall you choose should be positioned to absorb or reflect the natural light in a pleasing way. You'll also want to steer clear of installing an accent wall in a small space, as this design feature can actually make the room appear smaller than it is.

• Think Beyond the Obvious: When most homeowners picture an accent wall, they probably think of a bold color contrasted with more neutral elements. But paint and wallpaper aren't your only options for creating a successful accent wall. In many cases, visual texture and natural elements may be more effective in a given space, meaning that peel and stick wood panels can be a great option. Plus, interior wood plank walls tend to be more universal than an outlandish color or a busy wallpaper. If you plan to sell your home in the future, stick on panels may be a better investment.

Don't...

• Choose an Overcrowded Room: An accent wall should act as the central feature within the given space. It's not a good solution for a room that already has a lot of architectural details. If you make this mistake, it can cause a room to feel totally overwhelming. Be sure to give your accent wall the breathing room it needs and opt for a relatively sparse space, rather than one that's overcrowded. A bedroom that needs a little oomph or a dining area that feels bland is a great candidate for an accent wall. It can also be used to define a space, which is great for homes with open concept first floors.

• Be Afraid to Try Something New: More than one-third of respondents in a recent interior design trends survey said they'd choose a neutral color palette when decorating their homes. Some homeowners are afraid to take a risk with stick on panels or a bold paint color. But if you're too scared to try out a new aesthetic, you might fall victim to boring design choices. If you're looking for a way to put your unique stamp on a space without taking on a total renovation, keep in mind that painting a single wall or decorating it with stick on panels is actually a pretty safe bet. Although it's fairly likely you'll be thrilled with the result, the minimal commitment means it would be easy enough to switch things up again in the future.

If you keep these dos and don'ts in mind, you'll be in a stellar position to create an incredible accent wall in your home. For more information on how our peel and stick wall panels can set your interior design apart, please contact us today.