Has the accent wall finally gone the way of lava lamps and popcorn ceilings? Or is it just flexing in new and surprising ways for 2024? Walk into any London flat or scroll through the latest design pages, and you’ll see everyone’s got an opinion—and some hot takes—about whether a single pop of color still pulls its weight in the world of serious interiors. So, what’s the truth behind the whispers? Are accent walls out of style, or are they simply evolving? Let’s pull the curtain back on this decorating debate.
Where Did Accent Walls Come From—and Why Did We Love Them?
Accent walls didn’t just turn up with Instagram. They go way back to the days when a house full of floral wallpaper felt like the height of luxury. But the 2000s made them mainstream—one wall in rusty orange or moody grey, a way of whispering “I’m adventurous, but not THAT adventurous” with your paintbrush. At their peak, every show home and Airbnb seemed to feature a feature wall (see what I did there?), and DIYers dove into Homebase for a tin of whatever was trending. The point was simple: give a room some drama without risking total regret.
People loved accent walls for the pay-off. You could add personality without drowning your space. A jazzy wallpaper behind your bed, a bold navy in the dining room, or even a textured brick patch in your lounge—suddenly the boring became, well, less boring. You didn’t need a designer’s budget or courage. And it’s not just British homes that went big on this—we’ve seen variations globally, from minimalist Tokyo studios to breezy Californian homes.
There’s another reason accent walls had such a moment: they’re forgiving. Renters, especially, found them practical. Paint over one wall? Easy. Not a big drama at moving-out inspection. But the last few years, especially with the rise of minimalism and the Scandi look, have made people question loud, isolated walls. Have TikTok interiors and ‘quiet luxury’ signaled their end?
The Pulse of 2024: What’s Trending in Accent Walls?
Here’s where things get interesting. While some designers in 2024 are saying the classic painted accent wall is a bit played out, people haven’t ditched the idea of highlighting a space entirely. It’s just had a major glow-up. Now, we’re seeing accent walls go subtle. For example, instead of a fire-engine red stripe, you might get texture—Venetian plaster, reclaimed wood, or even lush, mossy plant walls. Have you seen those trendy indoor living walls? Not exactly beginner DIY, but they’re racking up likes and turning heads in posh London living rooms.
Colour-wise, 2024 is a big mood for earthy, muddy tones. Think deep olive, terracotta, or slate. And the massive boom in rich, dark blues and forest greens hasn’t slowed. Paint companies revealed in their colour reports that 34% of British homeowners planned to use muted jewel tones for a wall in 2024, according to a survey published in January by Dulux. That’s not a trend on its way out. Instead, it’s the loud, one-and-done accent wall that feels a bit dated—especially if the rest of the room is clinical white. Instead, designers recommend soft contrast: a warm taupe wall paired with cream surroundings, or a wall with patterned tiles splashed against gentle neutrals.
It’s also about the layout this year. You’ll see more people wrapping colour around architectural features—think alcoves, chimney breasts, or behind bookshelves—instead of just slapping colour onto any old wall. The old rule of “choose the wall you see first” is out. Now it’s “find the wall that makes the space feel special,” such as behind a statement headboard or framing the dining table. And don’t forget: wallpaper is having a renaissance. Textured, tactile, and more subtle than some of the garish options from the past. If you ever thought wallpaper was only for your nan’s house, you might just change your mind after seeing those new geometric metallic prints.
Check out this table for a snapshot of the most popular accent wall elements of 2024:
| Accent Wall Element | Popularity % (UK Homes surveyed) | Trend Style |
|---|---|---|
| Earthy Painted Colour | 34% | Muted, moody, organic |
| Wallpaper (Textured/Patterned) | 23% | Geometric, metallic, subtle florals |
| Wood Panelling | 18% | Slatted, half-height, reclaimed |
| Living Plant Walls | 8% | Moss, LED-lit, indoor gardens |
| Architectural Feature Accents | 13% | Fireplace, alcove, built-ins |
| Bare, Single-Coloured Room | 4% | Minimalist, monochrome |
Should You Still Go for an Accent Wall? Pros, Cons, and Fresh Ideas
Here’s a secret: there’s no home design police going door to door. You want to paint your bedroom wall aubergine? Go wild. But the real question is—does an accent wall work for your space, or are you just following a trend? Let’s break it down.
Pros? Accent walls are still brilliant at adding personality. If your home is a blank new build or you’re slogging through a rental with those bland magnolia walls, a splash of colour or texture is sometimes the fastest way to inject some YOU. They’re also practical if you want to experiment, since it’s easy to paint over just one wall if you tire of it—no giant commitment. Done right, they can visually expand a room or emphasise a feature (think bedheads or fireplaces). And for small flats, creating zones with contrasting walls—like a study nook in a lounge—gives the illusion of more space without a single hammer or saw.
But there’s a flip side. A badly planned accent wall can look random or disconnected. Neon green against greige? That’s a design disaster waiting to happen. Also, not all rooms benefit from one wall shouting louder than the rest—sometimes it just looks...awkward. And if the accent isn’t repeated in decor (cushions, art, throw rugs), it can come off as a jarring afterthought. I’ve seen plenty of London rentals where the feature wall outlasted the trend—and stuck out like a sore thumb.
If you’re tempted but not sure where to start, try these tips:
- Go for texture if you’re nervous about colour. Wooden slats, exposed brick, or even panelling painted in a soft hue can be more forgiving.
- Match the accent shade to your furnishings or artwork—a blue wall with blue velvet cushions, for example—so it doesn’t feel isolated.
- Choose a wall that anchors the room: behind the bed, at the sofa, or to highlight built-ins like shelves or fireplaces.
- For renters, removable wallpaper is a game-changer. Look for peel-and-stick vinyl or fabric-based prints.
- In open-plan spaces, use accent walls to create subtle divisions—great for a dining area that needs a little definition.
What’s on the Horizon: The New Face of Accent Walls
Looking to 2024 and beyond, accent walls are being approached with more creativity—and confidence. Expect plenty of mix-and-match textures: think a wall combining timber, a painted stripe, and some clever LED lighting. Eco-friendly options are also trending, with people using recycled materials or clay-based paints, especially as sustainability is becoming less of a buzzword and more of a must-have. Let’s be honest, with climate change marching on (and us Londoners all bracing for another soggy week), more people want greener, healthier homes.
Designers are also pushing people to move beyond the wall. Imagine ceilings painted in unexpected colours (yes, fifth walls are a thing now), or baseboards given a blast of boldness all the way around. Instead of a single showstopper, rooms in 2024 might use several smaller moments—a painted door frame, a tiled splashback—that together create more harmonious, less jarring, interior landscapes.
Want to stay ahead of the curve without a total redo every year? Try accents you can tweak: artwork clusters, floating shelves, or even bold curtains in the same shade as your wall. These little moves keep spaces fresh if, like me, your cat occasionally redecorates with muddy paw prints (cheers, Whiskers). And don’t ignore the power of lighting. An accent isn’t always about paint—a wash of light across a textured wall at dusk gives a wow factor that no Dulux tin can match.
So, are accent walls “out” in 2024? Not exactly—they’re just smarter, more thoughtful, and less shouty than in their heyday. If you want your room to tell your story, not just follow a fleeting trend, the accent wall is still one of the simplest tools in the box. Just remember: it works best when it’s about highlighting what you love, not just grabbing attention for attention’s sake. And if you’re stuck for inspiration, take a look at the real homes around you—the small, clever flourishes popping up in urban spaces, cosy bedsits, and creatively cramped studios. The new face of the accent wall isn’t about following rules. It’s about bending them to make your space you—muddy paw prints and all.