Putting the Focal Wall to Good Use
A Vote for Accent Walls of Natural Wood, Stone and Storage Potential
I'm a home makeover TV show producer, interior designer and the creator of Decor Demon, lifestyle editorial with an edge. http://www.decordemon.com
I'm a home makeover TV show producer, interior designer and the creator... More »
Remember when people started to go nuts over accent walls in the 1980s? I remember tons of friends' houses sporting a single wall painted a totally outrageous color. Then there was the add-any-wallpaper-to-one-wall-and-call-it-a-day trick. Some were done in a cheapy-cheapy way with little creativity. But focal walls are a huge part of design, especially in expansive spaces, and when done right, they can take a space to a whole new level. Click your way through these gorgeous feature-wall-centric spaces done by professionals on Houzz. You're certain to find something to spark your own focal wall project. In the meantime, put down the gallon of mustard yellow paint and/or the Grannie floral wallpaper. Trust me, you'll be happy.
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While this stunning focal wall may not be the perfect fit for those on tight budgets, it demonstrates the power of a focal wall done right. The stone-clad wall has just enough contrast to give it a slight pattern. Plus, its overall neutral hues offer different options for playing with color through furniture and accessories. Should the stone have been blood red, black and beige, it may not have been so brilliant.
| A wall of basket-woven wood planks can achieve almost any tone: modern, transitional, traditional or even international. It all comes down to what you choose as material and how it's installed. |
A solid slab of stone packs organic flair with pattern and texture.
Tip: There's a way to do this if you're on a tight budget: Call your local stone and solid surface showroom, then ask them to put you in touch with a fabricator. When speaking to the fabricator, ask if you can visit their "boneyard." Sounds morbid, I know, but it simply refers to an area packed with solid slab remnants. Many times, these leftover parts have been paid for in full; it's likely they'll cut you a great deal for the materials, then you can apply the savings toward the fabrication.
Tip: There's a way to do this if you're on a tight budget: Call your local stone and solid surface showroom, then ask them to put you in touch with a fabricator. When speaking to the fabricator, ask if you can visit their "boneyard." Sounds morbid, I know, but it simply refers to an area packed with solid slab remnants. Many times, these leftover parts have been paid for in full; it's likely they'll cut you a great deal for the materials, then you can apply the savings toward the fabrication.
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Great rooms sporting focal walls can also put them to use as room dividers. In this case, the dining space which is attached to the living space, is visually delineated with a recessed wall treatment. You instantly know what's considered the dining area and what's meant for lounging. Hopefully, this means your friends won't bring their BBQ chicken and red wine over to your white sofa before scarfing it down.
| Most people may not immediately think of focal walls in bathrooms — but why not? When soaking in the tub, how great would it be to rest your eyes on something natural and beautiful like rich wood? I will tell you what I never want to rest my eyes on from the tub: a pile of dirty laundry. Guess what I see from my own tub? Yep, a pile of dirty laundry. |
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Focal walls can also be super useful when storage is concerned. If you want a more modern approach to simple bookshelves, go a bit thicker with the profile. This example shows a built-in sporting a two-inch thick facia. It's chunkier, more graphic and easier to read from far away.
When designing dining rooms with recessed serving buffet alcoves, consider bringing in texture with masonry. The niche space is already there — why not dress it up with line, texture and color of natural, timeless stone?
Just keep in mind, especially if you want to do it yourself, first you need to install moisture-resistant backer board to the wall before installing the tile. This involves a saw, which means I simply whip out my checkbook, write my tile guy a check, then take off to the mountains until it's done.
Just keep in mind, especially if you want to do it yourself, first you need to install moisture-resistant backer board to the wall before installing the tile. This involves a saw, which means I simply whip out my checkbook, write my tile guy a check, then take off to the mountains until it's done.
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by Imagine Living
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| Okay, here's an example where a single wall of wallpaper works brilliantly: behind the bed. While I'm a fan of papering the entire room, a sexy pattern here is a way to draw yourselves to the bed at night. If you're not sure, remember you'll only see it as you enter the room. Once you rest your head, it's sweet dreams.
Okay, now it's your turn: Any focal wall disasters or happy accidents? Spill the beans...NOW. Next: See More accent wall photos Browse more home design photos |
Comments
maribr Awesome!!!! I loved....
2 years ago · Like
jamiebeckwith Thanks for including some of our images. I really enjoyed seeing the other interesting walls, very creative!
2 years ago · Like
poisiraisk Great examples. I love the stone but the basket-woven wood plank wall is just courageous and sophisticated.
2 years ago · Like
Casart Coverings I really like these unusual examples for a focal wall -- beyond paint. Thanks for mixing it up. Your bathroom example could be as much about the negative space on that rich wooden wall with the view outside being the focus as much as the wooden wall.
2 years ago · Like
ModCraft Saw a beautiful use of tile as a focal wall next to a bath in modern bathroom renovation-the tile's warm color and dimensional texture as a feature wall really helped define the room-tile by www.mod-craft.com 
2 years ago · Like
Jan J Loved these walls, but the mere mortals can only drool. I did like the idea of calling and asking about the 'boneyards' though!
2 years ago · Like
Barbara Bussey I love the silver material used on the Bookshelf. It looks like a laminate, tile or wall covering. Anyone know?
2 years ago · Like
Decorating Den Interiors Love the use of focal walls that make a great impact in a room. Here are some wall coverings I've used in spaces. The stone is a wonderful flexible wall covering that comes in many colors to create beautiful walls, and the diamond papers are unique in that they can be custom colored. 
2 years ago · Like
Ideabook published on Feb. 15, 2011.
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