Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (2024)

Room Design

Kitchen Design

By

Sarah Lyon

Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (1)

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.

Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process

Published on 02/26/23

Trending Videos

Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (2)

Many people hear the phrase "accent wall" and a living room, dining room, or bedroom comes to mind. However, accent walls can shine in many other spaces, too—and that includes the kitchen.

While the kitchen is primarily a utilitarian space, you should of course focus on incorporating accents that speak to your preferred design aesthetic too. Adding an accent wall—whether by hanging wallpaper, painting a mural, or going another route entirely—is an excellent way to make your kitchen feel a little more custom, no matter your budget or whether you rent or own.

If you find yourself craving some accent wall inspiration, you'll want to keep scrolling to admire the 20 beautiful kitchen accent walls that we've rounded up below.

  • 01 of 20

    Install Luxe Looking Tile

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (3)

    Say hello to moody tile. This black design is a fun twist on classic subway tile and is oh-so-sleek.

    Continue to 2 of 20 below

  • 02 of 20

    Install a Makeshift Backsplash Using Wallpaper

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (4)

    Install a makeshift backsplash using regular or removable wallpaper. It's ultra cost-effective, and if you opt for a peel and stick option, you can easily switch up your look as you wish.

    8 Designer-Approved Wallpaper Trends We're Loving for 2024

    Continue to 3 of 20 below

  • 03 of 20

    Get a Bit Funky With Your Pattern

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (5)

    Why not get a bit whimsical? If you love eclectic design, this hat print wallpaper surely is for you. Who says your kitchen can't be a bit quirky?

  • 04 of 20

    Brighten Up Your Kitchen With Cheerful Florals

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (6)

    Fresh flowers, anyone? Even during the darkest days of winter, your eyes will be treated to a gorgeous scene in the form of this cheerful wallpaper.

    Continue to 5 of 20 below

  • 05 of 20

    Don't Neglect Those Little Walls

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (7)

    Even the smallest walls deserve a little attention. Here, a black and white floral design adds pizzazz to this kitchen doorway.

    Continue to 6 of 20 below

  • 06 of 20

    Use Wallpaper to Section Off Your Space

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (8)

    A printed wallpaper featuring oranges couldn't be sweeter. It also helps create definition between the food prep area of the kitchen and the island and dining portion.

    Continue to 7 of 20 below

  • 07 of 20

    Paper the Wall Surrounding a Window

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (9)

    Why not wallpaper around your window? Here, a fun blue and white print looks right at home among the other bold patterns in this breakfast nook.

    Continue to 8 of 20 below

  • 08 of 20

    Enhance Your Galley Kitchen in a Snap

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (10)

    If you have a galley kitchen, you may be wondering what exactly to do with that empty wall that stares at you all day long. Wallpaper is an excellent solution, and you can even jazz things up further with a mirror, as seen here, or a bit of art. Gallery wall, anyone?

    Continue to 9 of 20 below

  • 09 of 20

    Say Yes to Adorable Gingham

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (11)

    Gingham reminds us of picnic blankets and all things charming, and here it looks darling as an accent wall pattern in this large kitchen. Whether you paint your own pattern or find a wallpaper print you love, it's easy to recreate this look in your own home.

    Continue to 10 of 20 below

  • 10 of 20

    Add a Food-Themed Print to the Kitchen

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (12)

    When life gives you lemons, hang them in the kitchen. This citrusy wallpaper looks right at home in this transitional style cooking space.

    Continue to 11 of 20 below

  • 11 of 20

    Put Your DIY Skills to the Test With Board and Batten

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (13)

    We commonly see board and batten accent walls in spaces like the living room, dining room, and bedroom, but that doesn't mean you can't install one in your kitchen if you'd like. This moody green color is majorly on trend too.

    Continue to 12 of 20 below

  • 12 of 20

    Make a Subtle Change With Gray Tones

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (14)

    This dark gray accent wall is subtle and is ideal for those who are drawn to a simple aesthetic in the kitchen. Minimalists, this one is for you.

    Continue to 13 of 20 below

  • 13 of 20

    Let Your Kitchen Reflect Your Personality

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (15)

    Bright pink floral wallpaper isn't just for kids' rooms; it can look right at home in the kitchen too. Given how much time you spend in your kitchen prepping meals and cleaning up, you should be surrounded by colors and patterns that make you happy.

    Continue to 14 of 20 below

  • 14 of 20

    Add Visual Interest to Your Dining Area

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (16)

    If your kitchen table isn't positioned near a window, consider giving the wall behind it a bit of a makeover so that you'll have something beautiful to look at as you eat. A wallpaper mural or some pops of paint will do the trick in no time.

    Continue to 15 of 20 below

  • 15 of 20

    Say Goodbye to the All-White Kitchen

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (17)

    If most of your walls are covered in tile and you're not sure what to do with that little area covered in white paint, wallpaper it. This peppy floral print adds so much vibrance to this otherwise neutral kitchen.

    Continue to 16 of 20 below

  • 16 of 20

    Get Creative With Chalkboard Paint

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (18)

    Chalkboard walls are fun for all ages. Kids will enjoy drawing on them and leaving notes to one another, and adults may use them to make grocery lists and write down important to dos. That said, you can also turn your chalkboard wall into an artist's canvas, as we see here.

    Continue to 17 of 20 below

  • 17 of 20

    Embrace Your Artistic Side

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (19)

    Murals depicting inspirational phrases or favorite quotes aren't just for the outdoors. If you're looking for an impactful way to add a burst of energy to your kitchen, consider replicating a look like this one, which is totally attention-grabbing and unique.

    Continue to 18 of 20 below

  • 18 of 20

    Paint Some Geometric Shapes

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (20)

    If geometric shapes are calling your name, paint a few on your kitchen wall to add some character to an otherwise all-white room. There's really no right or wrong way to do this design wise, so don't be shy about grabbing that paintbrush and seeing where your inspiration takes you.

    Continue to 19 of 20 below

  • 19 of 20

    Go All in With a Stunning Mural

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (21)

    Who needs backsplash tile when you can install a mural instead? If you're feeling crafty, you can even try to create a work of art all on your own. Here, a vegetable scene is perfectly fitting for this prep space within the kitchen.

    Continue to 20 of 20 below

  • 20 of 20

    Bring the Outdoors in With a Floral Design

    Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (22)

    Doing the dishes won't feel like such a drag when you can look up and admire a beautiful mural. This floral creation adds so much life and color into the kitchen and is truly a work of art.

Move Over, Accent Walls—Try the Accent Door Trend Instead

Bring Your Kitchen to Life With a Gorgeous Accent Wall (2024)

FAQs

Which wall should be the accent wall in a kitchen? ›

Alternatively, you can choose the wall facing the front of your kitchen or the one that is visible from the dining area. Backsplash Wall: Consider transforming the wall above your kitchen's backsplash into the accent wall.

What is the best wall decor for a kitchen? ›

Stack Dishes on Dishes. Sometimes the best wall decor is what's right in front of us—often, if it's the kitchen, that means dishes, and lots of them. In this Maine home by interior designer Angie Hranowsky, floating shelves and stacked bowls add a dash of color to the wood-paneled walls.

How do you make a stunning accent wall? ›

18 Ideas for Creating an Accent Wall
  1. Opt for Dark Paint Colors. Photo via @gina.keilen. ...
  2. Add Energy with Vibrant Colors. Photo via @annalysejacobs. ...
  3. Pick Out Printed Wallpaper. Photo via @greydock. ...
  4. Create a Mural. ...
  5. Go with a Geometric Design. ...
  6. Paint Stripes on a Feature Wall. ...
  7. Use Wall Panels. ...
  8. Utilize Board & Batten.
Mar 19, 2024

Does anyone do accent walls anymore? ›

As long as people continue to be unique from one another and have varying interests and hobbies, accent walls remain a staple of interior design. The next time you're feeling a bit bored with the look of a room in your home, remember the power of an accent wall and get to work.

Where not to put an accent wall? ›

If the room already has a lot going on, an accent wall may not be the best choice. It could make a busy room feel too crowded. In addition, you want to choose somewhere that a wall will stand out—not a dark corner where it will be forgotten.

Are accent walls in style in 2024? ›

Given their versatility, timelessness, and emotional impact, it is highly likely that they will continue to be in style in 2024. Whether you are thinking of incorporating vibrant colors, eye-catching patterns, or eco-friendly materials, accent walls offer endless possibilities for transforming your space.

How to beautify a kitchen wall? ›

For a brighter aesthetic on the kitchen walls, paint the cabinets in icy hues of colors and keep the brick walls in contrasting bright colors. Add a small piece of artwork to bring in some moody depth. For a better outcome, you can embellish the painting with some fancy frames.

What color walls make kitchen look bigger? ›

Use colour

White kitchens are on-trend and this is the best colour for visually opening up a space. If you want to go for something brighter, yellow can create a welcoming, sunny kitchen, giving a country vibe even in the middle of a city. Green is a colour that symbolises the natural world and tranquility.

What makes a good accent wall? ›

Typically, I think accent walls look best when they are darker than the surrounding walls. This contrast gives the space some dimenion. For gray walls, a much darker neutral gray like Iron Ore or Peppercorn work well. Hale Navy is also looks good with gray and stands out as a deep, neutral navy blue.

How to do a feature wall in kitchen? ›

Add a splash of colour with a painted feature wall

Painting one of your kitchen walls is the easiest way to transform the room. Choose a colour that complements your kitchen cabinets and stands out against your other walls. If you want to create an eye-catching statement wall, opt for an intense, vivid shade.

What is the rule for painting an accent wall? ›

In order to not overpower your room's color scheme, professionals use a little rule called the 60-30-10 wall color rule to maintain the space's color balance. Simply put, 60% of your room will have the dominant color, 30% should primarily be the secondary color, and 10% the accent color.

What are the cons of accent wall? ›

Because an accent wall is designed differently from its surrounding walls, it may feel out of place and dividing. If not done right, it would only chop up your space, and feel randomly placed, instead of actually being the highlight of the room.

Are sectionals out of style in 2024? ›

'Sectionals are timeless,' says Regan Baker of Regan Baker Design. 'The textural scale alone begs for relaxation and invites intimate conversation. With a few cozy blankets and pillows galore, it's a perfect timeless backdrop for personalization.

Can you have too many accent walls in your house? ›

DO Pick the Right Wall. When it comes to accent walls, only one wall gets to be the accent wall. If you were to pick more than one, then it wouldn't have the same effect and you may as well paint the entire room. Because only one wall gets to be the accent wall, you must choose wisely.

How do I choose which wall is my accent wall? ›

For example, in a living room with a TV, the best wall for an accent wall is typically the wall where the TV is. A TV is already a natural focal point providing a great area for an accent wall. The wall behind the couch can also be a good focal point, as it might be the first wall you see when you walk in the room.

Should accent walls be the same color as kitchen cabinets? ›

To maintain a light and bright kitchen, avoid sharp contrasts in your wall color and cabinetry color, the shade you choose for your kitchen walls should be somewhat similar to your kitchen cabinets. A sharp contrast between your walls and cabinets will create a visual boundary, and make your kitchen look even smaller.

Which wall should be the feature wall? ›

The wall you choose to highlight should ideally be the space to which your eye is first drawn when you enter the room. Walls with fireplaces or existing design features – like mantelpieces – also work well. Avoid walls with doors or windows if you can, as they'll tend to detract from the effect you're trying to create.

What are the rules for accent wall design? ›

In order to not overpower your room's color scheme, professionals use a little rule called the 60-30-10 wall color rule to maintain the space's color balance. Simply put, 60% of your room will have the dominant color, 30% should primarily be the secondary color, and 10% the accent color.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mr. See Jast

Last Updated:

Views: 6060

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mr. See Jast

Birthday: 1999-07-30

Address: 8409 Megan Mountain, New Mathew, MT 44997-8193

Phone: +5023589614038

Job: Chief Executive

Hobby: Leather crafting, Flag Football, Candle making, Flying, Poi, Gunsmithing, Swimming

Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.