We were thinking of one accent wall, or just a way to liven it up with a touch of color somewhere

And thank you... it will already be defined by furniture layout, but the starting neutral-ness kind of bothered us. We like a little color! :)

Painting one wall is not horribly disruptive to do after the fact - scoot the furniture and tarp. So I'd wait until everything is in place and you've lived in the space for a while. You might find that the color you get with art, books, pillows, a rug or two and whatever else in your life that has color is enough and the calm walls are the right background. If not, you can always paint later. The likelihood of picking the right color for an accent with absolutely nothing in the space as reference is pretty slim.

If you are into trends (I am not), you will notice that accent walls are not being done much anymore. People are using one (neutral) color theme throughout most of the house and are getting rid of their accent walls. Sometimes they do a bolder color in one room (like navy in an office) but they do the whole room. So I am afraid you will not get a lot of positive feedback on here about accent walls. That being said, I am a firm believer in not following trends and going with what you like. Because you never know, maybe accent walls will be back "on trend" in a couple of years.

Consider adding the color using bold accessories like pillows and vases etc. I personally like accent walls but not with the open floor plan. I recently did it in a living room using Navy and Linen but this room is not open to other rooms. If you decide to do it think hard about the starting and ending of the point, so that you make a good transition.

I think it’s a lovely color. Of course it looks boring - it is empty! Get it decorated and it will be better.

I agree with waiting until everything is decorated. Perhaps you could do a darker neutral in a certain area (with natural breaks) to give you some contrast.

Thanks all, we will wait... we have been out of our house for five months, just moved into the upstairs bedrooms and I'm impatient to be able to finalize the first floor!

Accent walls/other elements can be suitable to a room and masterfully done, but most places, especially great room open plan ones don't lend themselves easily to that concept. Your space doesn't seem like it's very suitable, it won't gain from an accent wall from what I can judge.

One can be very bold and go with mural..very different consideration, different cost(or artistry level if working yourselves), different everything.

To just add something for the sake of it whether space will be better for it or not..I think might read as forced rather than considered and natural.

So I agree with everybody. At the very least, start with other things and wait.

Try to be patient:) If you love color-you'll have a lot of it, I promise:) Just not at once

How your sectional will be turned?

Thank you .. the sectional will face the stairs where the TV will be with a small part in front of the radiator (has never been an issue for us with furniture there)... we have a small (fake) leather armchair that may fit on the other side/diagonally facing into the living room area as well. We are a family of four plus dog who is allowed on sofa and demands her own space, plus frequent family or friends visiting so we are maximizing our seating in that area even if it seems like a lot. We used to just have a small couch and small separate loveseat and we were constantly squeezed.

Got it. (or so I think)

You can get a lot of color with throws, pillows, plants, lamps, art, books..narrow on whether you like solids or patterns speak to you most, and which ones..from my experience the more you mix, in terms of both colors and patterns, (takes some basic rules to follow, the rest are easier to break)) the better and easier and more fun it becomes, but takes time and figuring out what you want, whether the room is happy with what you want, and feeling when to stop or when to continue.

Texture is also very important. Different surfaces will reflect light differently, so even same color won't read as same.

Seems like a lovely house..love your floors and wall color. Very versatile, great to work with. Won't be boring-you just see it empty right now. As said upthread. already. It won't be.

Forget those accent walls. One color will open up the space.