Has your home’s aesthetic become a little bland? If one or several rooms are no longer pleasing to the eye, take action with the addition of an accent wall. Accent walls infuse color, creativity, and your unique personal style into the home. Choose the right accent wall color and you might even find it transforms your living space.
Plastpro Planking combined with imagination and planning results in accent walls that are legitimate room-changers. It is the subtleties of the wall that matter the most. Everything from location to specific hues and design plays a part in the redesign process. This is your guide to using accent walls to add the perfect visual pop to your home.
The Art of Selecting the Perfect Wall
Take your time when reviewing accent wall options. Recognize the temptation of immediately diving headfirst into the different color and material options.
Instead, begin by selecting the right wall or multiple walls to accentuate. Planking accent walls are commonly added to rooms such as bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens.
Understanding Room Dynamics
Each room of your home is distinct in design, spacing, and dimensions. Pause to consider the unique layout of each room along with natural lighting. Consider how each of these factors impacts the accent wall. The proper balancing of the space enhances the room’s flow all the more.
Let’s shift our attention to accent wall ideas and the best approach to installation for maximum visual impact that makes your home that much more enjoyable to live in.
Choosing a Focal Point
Scan the room to identify its focal points, meaning those of visual prominence. Room focal points include spaces behind furniture, sizable windows, fireplaces, etc. The focal point or the area around it is usually the optimal place for the addition of an accent wall.
Carefully choose a focal point or even a focal wall, use contrasting hues to highlight it and you’ll find the accent wall generates depth. Now that you know exactly where the accent wall will be positioned, it's time to pick a color and texture.
Incorporating Colors and Textures
Accent walls are that much more impactful with the right textures and colors. The right combination of texture and hue makes quite a considerable visual impact.
Picking a Color Palette
The room’s current color is not always the best hue for the accent wall. The color you choose should enhance the look of the room while simultaneously putting your personal taste on display. In some situations, the best approach is to use a color combination. Combine colors to achieve the intended aesthetic by painting them rather than using a wood accent wall with different natural hues or reclaimed pieces with diverse colors.
If you are on the fence as to which colors are best, opt for complementary colors for several accent walls to create visual flow and harmony. If you are installing several accent walls throughout a floor of the home or the entirety of the home, choose a consistent color scheme or design theme for a visually uniform appearance.
Textures That Transform
Review the available texture options and you’ll find there are plenty to choose from. Textures ranging from sharp-looking PVC planks with a chic vibe to traditional wood wall planks and beyond will revamp the room’s feel.
When in doubt, err on the side of prioritizing the accent wall’s character with a specialized material. As an example, placing an accent wall over stone, reclaimed wood or even exposed brick adds visual layers and depth that make a powerful visual impact.
Plastpro is here to help. Our planking is expertly designed to add coveted character and depth to your accent wall.
DIY Installation: Bringing Your Vision to Life
As a homeowner, it is your vision that matters most. Instead of listening to a designer or a third party, do some introspection. Take a little bit of time to envision what you would like the room and accent wall to look like.
If you are a DIY enthusiast, don’t be afraid to ask for help, or search online for resources. Plastpro's pre-finished vinyl planking is stylish, easy to install and maintenance-free. Check out our how-to guide or instructional videos on installing planking in any room in your home if you’re looking for further assistance.
Preparation and Planning
When it comes to accent wall installation, preparation is the name of the game. As is often said the best engineers and handymen measure twice and install once. It is the small stuff of planning the accent wall installation that matters the most.
Accurately measure the space. Carefully select the right tools before getting to work. Don’t be afraid to rely on the experts for assistance. Remember, the fastest and quickest way to learn something is to ask those in the know.
Installation Tips and Tricks
The installation of planks should take less than a day. Planks can be installed either horizontally or vertically. Vertical planks are ideal for emphasizing the space’s height. If you are making an accent wall to provide visual pizzazz behind a flat-screen TV, consider using smaller panels and adding them to the sides of the mounting bracket.
Be sure to unplug electronics, moving all cables and cords behind panels. Be mindful of the nearby outlets if adding an accent wall by a screen as you'll have to make cut-outs with a utility blade to account for those outlets.
You'll need the right planking kit to install your accent wall the right way. Plastpro is proud to provide planking kits that provide a similar visual appearance of wood, but are actually made of durable PVC that is rigid, easy to clean, and water-resistant. In terms of installation tools, you'll need a level, a nailer, caulking, and a miter saw.
Position a piece of paneling along the bottom of the wall. If the paneling has a minor indent, double-check to ensure it is facing upward. If necessary, alter the length with your miter saw. Next, add the adhesive. Nails, glue, or a combination of each can be used to stick paneling to your wall.
Proceed to add the paneling pieces either by fitting the pieces snugly against one another or matching the precut indents appropriately. Continue to hang the paneling until the space is covered in planks.
The planks are to be painted after installation. Be sure to use painter’s tape to prevent paint from ending up along the border. Paintable caulk will also be necessary to fill nail holes. Though you can paint by hand, a paint sprayer is more efficient.
A word to the wise: prior to beginning the accent wall installation project, remove the paneling from its package three days before installation. Removing the planks from the packaging is particularly important when using real wood panels, as they require a couple of days to adjust to the temperature and moisture within the home.
Accent Wall Inspiration
The accent wall you choose is unique to your tastes and home. Some accent walls are primarily focused on form while others are a combination of form and function. If aesthetics are your primary interest, consider getting creative with a two-tone look that grabs the eyes.
Accentuate Your Home with Plastpro
The time has come to add an accent wall to your home. Rely on Plastpro for your planking needs, embrace the DIY ethos and you’ll be on your way to starting your own home improvement project. A room with a new accent wall ultimately redefines the space, transforming it from something dated and bland into a highlight of the home.
If you are considering an accent wall, get started with Plastpro Planking and browse our planking and trim kit options on our Amazon Storefront.
