Accent walls offer an easy way to break up space and add a focal point. They can accentuate home styles and allow for creativity. As times change, though, so do trends. While accent walls are still relevant, some prominent styles of the past few years are dying down in favor of new ideas.
Outdated Accent Wall Ideas
Any accent wall is fine as long as you like it. It’s your home, after all, and you should love where you live. However, if you want to avoid dying trends, skip the five ideas below.
Shiplap
In 2013, Fixer Upper introduced the world to Chip and Joanna Gaines. Through Joanna’s modern farmhouse style, the popularity of shiplap exploded. Since then, homeowners have added shiplap to almost everything, including accent walls.
While shiplap walls still work for authentic farmhouses, it’s been so overdone that in 2024, shiplap is no longer on trend. If you have your heart set on a shiplap accent wall but don’t want it to look dated, consider placing the boards vertically or painting them a bold color.
Painted-Only Accent Walls
The easiest way to create an accent wall is to pick your focal wall and slap on a bold coat of paint. Painting one wall a different shade was the original accent wall, popular 20+ years ago. As accent walls have become more creative, this tactic can lead to a dated-looking room.
Geometric Trim
In 2020, creating shapes through trim or molding was one of the most popular DIY projects. (Search Pinterest, and you’ll see.) DIYers would then paint their molding designs and walls a different color than the rest of the room.
Geometric trim walls are more modern than some of the other ideas on our list, but they’ve lost favor and are on their way out.
Ombre Accent Walls
Ombre is an effect that involves using one shade of color from light to dark. For example, a green ombre wall may start light green on the top and progressively change to a darker shade of green.
Ombre walls are hard to pull off. On top of that, their style just isn’t as prominent as it was 10-15 years ago.
Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood walls add an authentic touch to genuine rustic homes. In modern homes, however, this type of accent wall is dated. If you decide to put a reclaimed wood wall in a contemporary home, ensure the type and texture of wood you choose coordinates with other features in the room, like the floors.
Popular Accent Wall Ideas for 2024
Those looking to add an accent wall to their home this year can try one of these modern ideas.
Art-Covered Accent Walls
Large-scale wall art is a big trend for 2024, and creating a wall with various large prints is a great way to design a focal point. Mix any art and frames to fit your style. You can even add an art-covered accent wall over wallpaper.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper adds interest to a room and comes in easy-to-apply peel-and-stick and traditional paste-on varieties. No matter your home’s architecture or style, you can find wallpaper for an accent wall. To create a focal point, consider wallpapering behind your bed or the TV in the living room.
Brick Tile
Brick veneer accent walls offer a timeless look and a lot of texture. Brick can work in all architecture, depending on the type of brick chosen. It doesn’t go out of style and looks more substantial than painted-only accent walls.
Stone
For a high-end look, opt for a stone accent wall. Stone walls lend sophistication to a room and can be a selling feature. There are many types of stone to choose from. Be sure that the one you go with has classic appeal and works well with your home’s architectural style.
Built-In Bookcases
Add storage and create a focal point with built-in bookcases or shelving. Paint the bookcases to pop out, or keep them the same as the surrounding walls for a seamless look. There are many variations on this idea, and it’s easy to hack this look by making premade bookshelves appear custom-made.
