How to DESIGN an ACCENT WALL

Tired of the same old room? Can't think of a way to spiff it up? Make a statement with an accent wall!

Instructions

1. One very easy way to make a room come alive is to turn a wall into an accent wall. You can either paint it or wall paper it or you can cover the entire wall with photos and let the frames be the accents. There are no rules when it comes to home design. If you can dream it up then it's allowed!

2. If you decide to paint your accent wall let your imagination run wild when deciding on the print. You can paint circles, dots, stripes, zig zags, flowers, stars, swirls, geometric shapes or whatever else you can think up. You can use one color or two colors or you can use a dozen colors! You can also use a faux finish to make your wall look like bricks or stucco or even cracked plaster. If you are very artistic you can even paint a mural! Paint is cheap so when you are sick of the wall just cover it with a fresh coat of paint and start all over again!

3. If you rather cover the wall with wall paper you will find that you have many prints to choose from... an endless array of prints! And you can have fun with wall paper too. You can cut out shapes and glue the shapes to the wall. Or you can cut long strips and make a striped wall with the wall paper. You can also use two wall papers with a different print but in the same color scheme to make interesting stripes. Have fun with it!

4. Here is another interesting idea you may have never thought about. You can hang window treatments even if you do not have a window on the wall! If you hang drapery along the entire wall it will appear that you have an entire wall of windows or a sliding glass door behind the drapery. This fools the mind into thinking the room continues on out to the great outdoors when in fact there is really only a wall behind there!

5. If you like to show off family photos you can do an entire wall of pictures. You can mix up the size and shapes of the frames and paint the frames to match your decor. You can also paint squares on the walls to highlight the photos. And try using some boxed frames to give the wall interesting definition.

6. You may also want to consider doing an entire wall of shelves. Shelves are not very expensive and they are fairly easy to put up... with a bit of help. Then stock the shelves with books, photos, collectibles, candles or whatever else you like! If you don't want to attach shelves you can always line the wall with tall bookcases. Try to get bookcases with no backing so the color of the wall will show through. If the bookcases have a backing you can always paint the backing between the shelves to make it look like they are part of the wall.

7. Another way to create an accent wall is to add texture to the wall. You can glue fabric to the wall or you can put up mirror tiles or you may even want to cover the wall with cork board! A cork board wall is great in a kid's room. Then they have the entire wall to put up their posters and art work!

8. Whatever you decide just remember to not over think it and just have fun. There are no mistakes when it comes to home decorating. There are only unexpected happy results!