Accent Wall Colors: How to Choose the Right Look

Last Updated: September 23, 2017

Your wall color choice will influence the feel and mood of a room. Accent walls are a current trend in the design world. An accent wall will add new depth and dimension to any room in your home. 

There are so many colors to choose from when it comes to accent wall colors. The best part of about accent walls is they make a huge design statement for an extremely low cost. 

Accent walls can be done in a color that you love but would never use for a whole room. Here’s the ultimate guide on how to choose the right look for your accent walls:

Determine the Purpose For Your Room

Color psychology is a real thing. Studies have shown that colors have major effects on people and how they feel in a room. Some colors convey energy while others have more calming effects on the mind. 

Each room in your home has a different purpose, and you should choose your accent wall colors according to that purpose. Your living room and other areas you might host guests in  should be painted in relaxing and welcoming hues. Your bathroom should be painted with bright tones that stimulate your mind as you shower and get ready for work in the mornings. Dark tones in a bathroom may make you want to crawl back into bed.

Consider Color Saturation in Accent Wall Colors

Your color scheme for any given room in your home needs to be harmonious. By using color theory you’ll be able to find the perfect tint for your main color in your room. After you’ve selected your primary color, find a toned color as your secondary shade, and make your accent wall color the boldest and most pure hue of the three.

Tints have more white paint in them while toned colors have gray incorporated into them for a more muted tone. By making your accent wall the darkest in the room, you will be able to use rugs, pillows, and other decorative items to incorporate the accent color and balance it in the space. 

Choose The Right Wall

Now that you’ve got your desired color, the next key step is choosing which wall to accent. The best wall for your accent wall colors is usually the first wall you see when you enter a space. Perhaps it’s a wall with a fireplace, wainscoting, or a large bookcase. 

Your accent wall will work best when there seems to be a reason as to why it’s painted a different color. When it comes to accent wall colors, consider making the accent wall a dramatic architectural feature. 

Place an armoire or a piano in front of the beautiful tone you’ve selected. An accent wall will feature some of your favorite pieces of furniture in a beautiful way.

Go Bold

When it comes to design, statements are a wonderful thing. Use good taste, do your color research and find the perfect hue for you. Consider room temperature when finding the perfect wall for your accent wall colors.

Remember that a poorly done paint job won’t do your home any favors. Hire your local pros to come give a boost to your interiors! When you’re ready to take your rooms to a new level of design with fresh paint, contact us today for a free estimate.

September 28, 2026
Should you paint your whole house at once or tackle it room by room? Compare cost, convenience, timing, and disruption to find the best approach.
September 14, 2026
Wondering if your kitchen cabinets can be painted or if it’s time to replace them? Learn what makes cabinets worth painting—and when they’re not.
September 4, 2026
See what it takes to paint a large apartment building in Eugene, Oregon. Go behind the scenes of Fitzpatrick Painting & Construction's Franklin Apartments exterior painting project.
August 27, 2026
Wondering how long painted kitchen cabinets really last? Learn what affects their lifespan and how to keep your Willamette Valley kitchen looking great.
August 25, 2026
Repainting a home in an HOA? Learn what to check before you start, including approved colors, architectural review requirements, timelines, and contractor documentation.
August 13, 2026
Should you paint before or after installing new flooring? Learn the best project order for walls, ceilings, floors, baseboards, trim, and final touch-ups.
July 30, 2026
How long does a paint job last? Learn typical interior and exterior paint lifespans in the Willamette Valley and what factors help your paint last longer.
July 14, 2026
Looking for an interior painter in Salem? Use this checklist to compare contractors, ask the right warranty questions, spot red flags, and hire with confidence.
June 30, 2026
Planning interior painting for a Portland condo or townhome? Learn color, lighting, ventilation, HOA, and scheduling tips before starting your project.
June 30, 2026
Learn why some Salem homes need more exterior paint prep due to older siding, peeling paint, moisture damage, mildew, and Oregon weather.
June 30, 2026
Learn how Eugene’s rainy season affects exterior painting, including prep, drying time, scheduling, and how professionals plan around wet weather.
June 30, 2026
Painting older wood siding in Corvallis? Learn what to check first, including moisture damage, peeling paint, prep work, and long-term protection.
More Posts