What's Trending: Black Accent Walls

Black is trending everywhere, and now it’s showing up as an accent wall. Have you noticed it too? Paint is an easy and inexpensive way to indulge in a colour trend, but is a black accent wall for you?

Recently, I was searching a real-estate portal and I noticed a pattern. Almost every single RENOVATED condo had a black accent wall.

Since I started writing this blog, before the grey trend started, and all through the 7 year life span, it never occurred to me to write a post about charcoal accent walls because they just weren’t a thing.

Why are black accent walls trending?

The reason black accent walls are suddenly trending is because it’s the strongest colour trend happening right now. So while it’s hard to imagine an entire room being black, everyone can commit to painting 25% of the room in a stronger, deeper colour.

And it seems right now, black accent walls are having a moment.

Flexible Design

Many, many years ago I helped my friend inject a little colour on the walls by painting a blue accent wall in her family room. She really wanted blue kitchen walls, but I said “no” because it would look like she was ignoring her earthy kitchen finishes. So instead, we added some blue to a wall that could be seen from the kitchen.

Accent walls are much less of an undertaking than painting a whole room. In under two hours, she had a lovely pop of colour in her space. So perhaps, if you are looking for an easy way to incorporate trendy black into your living room, the accent wall is least expensive and most flexible way to go. After all, it’s just paint, right?!

A Caveat about Accent Walls

I’ve been known to say often that accent walls don’t work for many situations. They can be difficult to balance visually (hoarding all the drama to one side of the room).

And they can quickly create a choppy look. Because where the contrast is, is where the eye lands. So you need to create enough interest to distract the eye away from the edges of your accent wall.

However, I get that in many cases, it’s a way to inject some energy and drama into a room quickly.

Where to Consider an Accent Wall

Where accent walls DO work well is when you want to create or emphasize a focal point in your room.

The end of your dining room where the credenza is topped with lamps and art is a good spot. As is the headboard wall of your bedroom, or the fireplace wall of your living room.

Just be mindful of where you place it. Adding random accents to unimportant architectural features and weirdly jutting angles for no reason is where an accent wall idea really goes sideways.

Don’t Leave your Accent Wall Bald

Always layer an accent wall with art, lighting, mirrors, furniture, etc. DECORATE IT because it is now the focal point and the eye wants something to look at.

I’m also noticing more accent walls with a geometric take on traditional board and batten wall paneling. And then, to embrace the current trend, but with a little more texture, they are being painted out in a solid. Again, make your accent wall interesting.

While black, or any other colour accent walls are not the solution for every room, and should never be bald, they can be a very good way to take a step towards some bolder colour and drama in your room. So try it out! It’s only paint.

If you need help choosing the right colour, I can help, Just give us a call and book a consultation.