There’s nothing more daunting than a blank wall: there are endless possibilities to choose from. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a list of the top trending feature walls ideas to help you get started.
What is a Feature Wall?
Your home likely has walls decorated in a unifying color or pattern to create cohesion. However, you may find that you’re craving more visual impact over time.
That’s where feature walls come in. Feature walls make a significant impact on the look and feel of your space and are an excellent way to convey your style. Feature walls are showstoppers — they typically provide some level of contrast from a room’s other walls through bold color, pattern, texture, or decor elements.
Use feature walls anywhere throughout your home you feel needs an extra something — the living room, powder room, entryway, staircases, dining rooms, and master bedrooms are popular choices.
1. Pops of Print
There’s no better way to draw the eye in than with a pattern. Feature walls in stripes, polka dots, florals, geometric, or jungle patterns are great ways to add personality and color to any room. Typically, patterned feature walls are either wallpapered or hand-painted with designs.
Feeling indecisive? Choose a peel and stick wallpaper or adhesive wall stickers to achieve the same effect without the commitment. Pops of print are an excellent choice if you’re in the market for dining room feature wall or master bedroom feature wall ideas.
2. Touches of Texture
Textured feature walls have their place in both minimalist and maximalist households and can be achieved through a variety of methods.
Textured Wallpaper Options
For a minimalist approach, reach for a textured wallpaper in a neutral or hue that complements the rest of your space. Grasscloth natural wallpaper, cork wallpaper, textile wallpaper, glass bead wallpaper, and flock wallpaper are great options for a living room feature wall.
For a high-texture (and high shine) option, choose a wallpaper flecked with mica. Mica is versatile and suits a variety of spaces, from bathrooms to kitchens to bedrooms to living rooms. Mica has a big impact, without risking overwhelming your space — unlike bold patterns. Therefore, mica wallpaper is a popular choice for bathroom feature walls.
Textured Primers
Similarly, roll-on texture primers can help create a textured feel reminiscent of plaster or clay. Simply use it as you would a traditional primer before painting, wait for it to dry down, and then layer on your paint color of choice — whether that be a bold black or a soft sage.
Faux Fur
Craving something unexpected? TikTokers are lining their walls in faux fur fabric to create funky bedroom feature walls. Reach to faux bearskin, fox, or mink to create a cozy, hygge-inspired feel. Glam vibes can be created by selecting a patterned animal print fur, like cheetah, leopard, or zebra. For a psychedelic touch, choose a vivid, unnatural hue like cobalt or hot pink.
Wood
If you’ve moved into an older home, don’t scrap your wood paneling just yet! Wood paneling is gaining popularity once again. A wooden feature wall provides vintage vibes, serves as an excellent backdrop for artwork, and can even help improve your home’s acoustics — perfect for a TV feature wall.
If you’re looking to add a wooden touch to your home, a feature wall is a great place to start. Create a trendy modern-farmhouse look with shiplap or wooden wall paneling — which is available in peel-and-stick and long-lasting “permanent” options.
Brick
Similarly to wood, brick walls are back. A brick feature wall is perfect for various styles, from industrial to Nordic Scandinavian. If you have a brick facade on your fireplace, you can create a fireplace feature wall by leaving the exposed brick as-is or painting it a bold and bright color. Decorate your mantle with a mix of year-round decor and add in seasonal accents as the seasons change.
If you have preexisting exposed brick elsewhere throughout your home, incorporate wall decor such as art and mirrors or layer on paint for a more modern feel.
To achieve the look and feel of brick without the hassle of getting out grout and mortar, turn to peel-and-stick brick wall decals or brick facades that easily pass for the real deal.
3. Gallery Walls Galore
A gallery wall is an excellent feature wall alternative if you’re not interested in painting or wallpapering — and it’s one of the most popular and versatile living room feature wall ideas. To create a gallery wall, you’ll need a collection of artworks or wall hangings in a variety of sizes to cover your space. Variety is the spice of life — and a gallery wall — so select pieces that are distinct. To ensure that everything plays well together, consider sticking to a color palette or theme.
4. Oversized Artwork
Another way to achieve a feature wall is by selecting one oversized piece of wall art — like a wall hanging, room divider, photograph, print, or painting — to fill up a blank wall.
If you’re feeling creative, take a stab at designing and painting your very own mural. Ombre walls are a popular choice, as are abstracts. Or, make a statement with wallpapering or adhesive options that create the look and feel of an oversized still life or mural.
5. Stylish Shelving
Shelving can be used to create a stylish (and practical) feature wall.
Renters and homeowners alike can opt to line their walls with bookcases and stack on decor. Built-ins are also a popular option for homeowners. No matter your living situation or style, you can use floating shelves to create gorgeous displays. Top your shelves with your favorite framed photos, books, decor items, faux plants, and voila!
This option is great for collectors and those short on space. Not to mention, decorative baskets can be tossed onto your shelves for additional (and visually appealing) storage.
6. Plant Lover’s Paradise
Luscious greens — real or faux — are the perfect way to bring life into your home, particularly in the form of a living wall. To create a living wall with real plants, you’ll need a green thumb and to ensure you select plants that will thrive in your space’s lighting. Moss, vines, succulents, edible herbs, and other green plants are fabulous choices. From there, you’ll need to determine which potting style is best for you and your feature wall. Popular choices include wall sconces, dedicated plant shelves, and slatted wall hangings dedicated solely for the purpose of creating a living wall.
The same methods can be used for faux plants, but you’ll also have the ability to get creative and glue or staple them to particleboard, styrofoam, cardboard, or even poster board for a quick and easy DIY feature wall.
7. Hall of Mirrors
Decorative mirrors can be used throughout your home to enhance light and make your space look larger, and they also make for a gorgeous feature wall. One oversized decorative mirror can be hung center on the wall, or you can use many decorative mirrors hung gallery-wall style or in alignment to create a dazzling, brightening effect. Be sure to incorporate lamps for extra impact.
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Feeling inspired to get to work on your very own feature wall? CORT Furniture Outlet makes it easy to find what you need to keep up with the latest home trends. Your local CORT Furniture Outlet boasts a treasure trove of ever-evolving of home decor and furnishings — you never know what you’ll find! Pick up your items today and take up to 70% off original retail pricing when you shop online or in-store at your nearby CORT Furniture Outlet.
