Living room feature wall ideas using wall panels
There are plenty of ways to introduce impactful style into your home without undertaking a full renovation project, and adding a feature wall is just one of the ways that you can create a statement with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking for some design inspiration, or if you want to draw attention to a particular area in your sitting room, we’ve compiled a selection of easy feature wall ideas to help you transform your space.
To suit a range of aesthetics, our list consists of more than just applying paint or wallpaper, as we’ve listed alternative options that can bring more personality, depth, and character to your home. If you’ve never created an accent wall before, these ideas are the perfect introduction to allow you to experiment with colour and patterns without generating a result that is too distracting or overwhelming.
What is a feature wall and how do I choose one?
A feature wall is simply an accent within your living space, it is a wall that draws the eye to it and creates a visual intrigue. In some cases, they are made to highlight a specific area that you want to draw attention to but in many cases they are charming additions to your living space that can instantly evoke feelings of homeliness.
Choosing a wall to feature is an entirely personal choice, but the majority of people opt for their feature to be where their TV is situated or where there is a fireplace or chimney breast. Alternatively, some may choose to feature the wall behind their couch to stop a media wall from becoming too distracted or busy.
You can also have a feature wall in any room of your home, it doesn’t need to be specific to your living room. In fact, accent walls are often well placed in areas such as bathrooms or kitchens where there are less soft furnishings or the space is trickier to work with.
How can I create a sitting room feature wall?
The options for creating a stunning accent wall are limitless. With a keen eye for design and a little bit of inspiration, you’ll be able to curate something that reflects your interior aesthetic. The following ideas will help you to choose a wall to highlight, and provide you with some decor inspiration that will encourage you to experiment with different textures and visuals.
Highlight architectural features for a unique visual appeal
One of the most simple ways to create a feature wall is to identify any interesting architectural designs within your living room and highlight them as a focal point. For example, if you have a chimney breast or alcove, you can enhance the look of these features by making them stand out against their surroundings. Depending on the look you’re going for, you can do this by simply using paint, or you can add panels to the wall.
For common architectural features such as a protruding chimney breast, we’d recommend adding the panels to the walls at either side. Though for alcoves, decorating the inside may be more suitable depending on the space.
For added texture and depth, you can lean into a cosy aesthetic by using 3D-effect brick panels, such as the Rustic Brick Red Wall Panel, which is perfect for highlighting the walls surrounding a fireplace. These can also be used to create visual intrigue within the fireplace itself, so long as the fire is no longer in use and you’re working with an empty space.
Create a gallery wall
Adding a gallery wall is another simple way to create a stunning feature that reflects your personal style. You can select prints of different sizes and use varied frames to add splashes of colour and curate something visually enticing. You may wish to do this on the wall adjacent to where your TV is to avoid the area looking too busy or cluttered.
You can also enhance the look of a gallery wall by using wall panels, and we’d opt for natural wood textures to create a more homely feeling. One option would be to use something like the Marino Natural Wood Effect Matt Wall Panel for a distinct backdrop. However, to avoid damaging the panels it would be best to hang your prints using adhesives rather than nails. Whether you decide on a themed collection of paintings, or an eclectic assortment, the gallery will come together to capture attention and accentuate the height of your living room when the full length of the wall is utilised.
Marino Natural Wood Effect Matt Wall Panel
Add a pattern to your chosen wall
Patterns are an extremely versatile way to add colour and upgrade a regular wall to a feature. Depending on whether you want bold and dramatic, a subtle natural motif, or something that corresponds with your chosen colour palette, you’ll be able to find a pattern that perfectly suits your aesthetic. Something like the Large Dark Grey Marble panel would work well for homes that embrace a grandiose and opulent aesthetic, as the subtle patterns add a touch of elegance. However, if this glossy look isn’t for you - you might wish to opt for printed wallpaper for your living room instead as this will offer a more traditional look.
Add natural textures such as wood and stone
Natural textures do an excellent job of creating an impact without being overpowering. The neutral hues also make it easy to create a cohesive and seamless design that works with your existing decor. Our collection of Sulcado slat wall panels are the perfect choice for incorporating these natural textures into your home, and they add plenty of character whilst also enhancing the acoustics of your living room by preventing sound from bouncing off flat walls. To heighten your ceilings, we’d recommend choosing a vertical pattern such as the Light Ash Slat Panels which provide a sleek and contemporary finish.
Use symmetry to create a enhance your feature
Creating symmetry doubles the power of your statement feature, and there are plenty of ways that you can do this. For example, mirroring your decor on either side of a chimney breast through the use of slat wall panels or built-in storage can be a great way to draw attention to your wall. You could also use specially designed art pieces that are made to be separated to curate a more intentional aesthetic, using an architectural feature as your line of symmetry. Other furnishings that can be used to play into this symmetrical effect include light fixtures, corner tables, and wall decor.
Design your perfect feature wall with The Panel Company
Our panels are designed to enhance the look and feel of your space, and they’re much easier to install and maintain than tiles or other forms of interior cosmetic enhancements. Even better, they’re an extremely affordable way to create something unique, sophisticated and sleek. To see how we can improve your home, browse through our full collection of wall panels to find a style and colour scheme that suits you.
