Putting the Focal Wall to Good Use
A Vote for Accent Walls of Natural Wood, Stone and Storage Potential
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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