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Can you make an accent wall work in a bedroom with a high window?

7 years ago
Expert opinions needed! Getting ready to re-do this bedroom. How would an accent wall behind this bed w/ a high window look? Goal is to make the room look more sophisticated. Considering wallpaper -1st choice, board & batten, or a paint color (cost effective route) Needs to work w/ wall paint color (will be BM balboa mist), existing carpet (it has a design pattern) & current headboard. Looking for ideas under $1000 but budget is flexible.

Comments (36)

  • 7 years ago
    following
  • 7 years ago
    I think board and batton in a crisp white to match your doors would look great and very sophisticated. You might consider framing out the window to match.
  • 7 years ago
    I can’t think of anything other than a dramatically high headboard up to the window. Otherwise it’s too broken up. And dramatic window treatments?
  • 7 years ago
    Could the opposite wall be the bed wall? Could you give us a floorplan?
    The first thing i would do is remove the one small photo.
    No to board and batten, imo.
  • 7 years ago
    What's the purpose of the window? Looks as if it's open to a hallway? Recommend doing away with it.
  • 7 years ago

    ^ lol. you're seeing the reflection Sandy. it's a window to the outside

  • 7 years ago
    Oops!
  • 7 years ago
    I notice that in most Beth photos wall and headboard are similar colors, with the effect that headboard “dissapear” in the wall. I really like it.
  • 7 years ago
    Here are more pics as requested to show show floor plan of room.
  • 7 years ago
    I like the black wall idea a lot where the headboard blends in.
  • 7 years ago
    Me too Andrea
  • 7 years ago

    I prefer to use accent walls where there is no redeeming architectural feature.

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  • 7 years ago
    You can get all sorts of wallpaper like in pic, if it suited your room, that one is from Allmodern, a thought
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago




  • 7 years ago
    I would hang a ceiling-to-floor pinch-pleated drapery panel the full width of the headboard. Many fabric stores have people who make custom drapes for customers. Calico (formerly called Calico Corners) has beautiful fabrics and made drapes and covered cornices for our three bedrooms, and they installed them, too.
    Their work was first-rate.
  • 7 years ago
    I like the idea of a dark blue color as an accent wall-to harmonize with the headboard, but not erase it, with the other walls painted white. I like the architectural value of the window, but I would not draw any more attention to it by framing or anything. I would remove the art print and place a piece of turquoise pottery ( or a grouping) in the righthand corner of the windowsill- not a plant though. I would also change the bedding to something more modern- perhaps without sheen and a crisper look. And add some texture in an afghan at the foot of the bed and some accent pillows. I recently saw an example of a dark blue wall with blush accents. I normally really dislike pink in interior design- but this combination was stunningly elegant. Blush- NOT pink. I might be able to find that photo for you. Sorry- the reason I have so many opinions about your bedroom is because I think it’s a gorgeous room with a ton of potential to be absolutely amazing.
  • 7 years ago
    any of those ideas would look better without the tiny art piece.
    paint. don't wallpaper or add board and batten, or, ugh, shiplap.
    let the window become part if the design, as intended.
    were it my room, I'd leave it the wall color of the room, and look at a taller headboard. or, a softer, more traditional look, drapes to the floor, behind the headboard.
    im probably contrary here, but I wouldn't want to accent the high window with a deeper accent color. in my room.
  • 7 years ago


    Since you have all of those door openings, focus only on the headboard wall and layer details on details with color, textures and materials.


    First, install ceiling to floor bronze color mirrors at each end approximately 18"-24" wide.


    Work the "headboard" detail in the center space. Here are some inspiration pics:


    In this pic notice the "shadowbox" built around the bed and nitestands to ceiling. It is floating off the floor and creates the side tables. The back panels can be wrapped in fabric or wallpaper. I like the mirrors on the ends to create an illusion of a larger room, but adding shelves on one end only is also a good solution.


    If you have the patience or know someone who is very particular, mounting half round dowels is a cost effective detail. This room is all about the suspended ceiling light fixtures. Paint the inside edge of the window frame above the bed a color.


    Tubes covered in fabric, bold wallcovering above, suspended ceiling light fixtures


    Bamboo wall, framed headboard around wallcovering or 3 dimensional blocks.


  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I agree, that it is better without small picture





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  • 7 years ago

    If that window isn't on the street side of your home, I like celery's idea of covering the wall with a mural - fun and exciting once the architectural feature is eliminated.

  • 7 years ago
    Wow. There are so many good ideas here! The first critical question is “Do you like the window or want to hide it?” Some of the wallpapers are super cool, and I like the solid colored dark wall idea too.
    What’s your first reaction to these?
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I like the window (more light!), but I vote for framing it out. Make a taller headboard. But...omg celerygirl! Love the mural!

  • 7 years ago
    celerygirl, please share source for bridge mural. It is what I'm looking for in my deliema
  • 7 years ago
    Definitely remove the small picture above the bed. Don’t do anything to the wall after you paint (except add wall lighting) and don’t paint an accent color on the wall, which will just close in the room. The light paint you selected is good. Place a few small colorful modern glass pieces, like a small vase, on the windowsill. Add a throw at the bottom of the bed in a similar color. i recommend neutral bedding and for the accent color of the glass and the throw either stick with greens or consider blues and greens (ocean colors).
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    @Joy, you can check Amazon for Suspended bridges.

  • 7 years ago

    There are several interesting ideas here. My instinct would be go the least expensive simplest route first-especially since you stated you want to keep the same headboard.

    I would choose an accent wall color I liked to work with the Balboa Mist, a color you can use elsewhere in the room also. Paint your headboard wall. Put the bed back and reasses. You may find you have a fix for just the cost of a can of paint.

    Maybe BM Hale Navy for a look similar to this shot of Balboa Mist on the wall with navy drapes by Studio McGee.



    Red

  • 7 years ago
    I have to keep the window. Can’t cover it. Husband likes it.
  • 7 years ago

    I love this room. I'd paint, find some great nightstands, lamps, and art, and be done. You don't need an accent wall.



  • 7 years ago
    Excellent Grover, so sophisticated and rich looking.
  • 7 years ago

    Living in southern California every house we lived in except the one we eventually bought had this kind of window. Working with it drove me crazy. And I never thought of it as an architectural "feature." Now I'm in NE Florida and I've got one of those windows again! Yes they provide light but do builders put them in because their relatively inexpensive. If someone knew the answer I'd love to know. Otherwise I tend to agree with groveraxle nothing new there) but I am partial to having fabric in a room, actually a feeling that just sort of blossomed over time.. I would consider hanging panels at each side of the window, from ceiling to floor. You don't necessarily have to hang curtains with the fullness to close these panels over the window. But if the window actually does allow incoming sunlight you might consider the curtains as an added bonus when you're watching an afternoon football game or streaming a season's worth of episodes of...whatever. Good luck!

  • 7 years ago

    Those high windows remind me of basement windows. Sorry. I was thinking that maybe take a hint from Candice Olsen (HGTV fame Divine Design): Treat it like a full window with curtain panels on either side. Also, what about a panel of mirror from the bottom of the sill to the floor and then curtain panels to fool the eye.

    It sounds like I love mirrors, haha. I really don't, but in the right place they can be very effective. This way if you had simple solid curtain panels at the french doors and the high window, ceiling to floor, It would soften up the room and take your eye away from the doors.




  • 7 years ago

    And keep the curtain rods simple. Nothing too over designed.