Do Feature Walls Still Spin Your Wheels?

Do Feature Walls Still Spin Your Wheels?

This is going to be a short blog post as I want you to comment on what you think about feature walls.

I recently visited a house, it is about 10 years old and crammed with feature walls. I found the hairs on my arms rise as I moved from room to room, it really was not a nice feeling.

The problem with the feature walls was the contrast, or too much of it. Off white walls with heavy dark colors like aubergine (right purple/black) in the bedroom, an even darker version in the formal living room, but not the whole wall only part of it! Deep forest green in one bedroom, royal blue in another…..can you visualize it? It was just to hard on your eyes and the rooms didn’t flow and it became a joke, oh, I wonder what color they have pulled out of the color swatch for the next room?

Successful interior decoration should be considered, harmonious and pleasant to the eye at a minimum! Does this mean NO to feature walls? Here is where I want your opinion. I have written a couple of articles on this topic in the past, you could read them, then make a comment below about what you think.

I will let you know what I think about feature walls in my next post, or perhaps I will just make a comment with the rest of you.

Background Reading

Wallpaper a New Variation on Feature Walls – The Future of Feature Walls

How to Use the Once Humble Feature Wall in Interior Decorating

Feature Wall Defines Color Theme

I hope you find these entertaining, don’t forget to write what you think in the comments below.

Color Consultant course

14 thoughts on “Do Feature Walls Still Spin Your Wheels?”

  1. I am definitely over them!
    I prefer them to be more subtle differences in color. They do still work well for retail design, hospitality design, and many commercial applications in my humble opinion of course!

  2. Perhaps the feature wall has had too much contrast in the past and use of shades of the same color and acscent lighting will be the next "idea" to become the trend.

    Chris B

  3. I think they work in certain situations. For instance, in a situation where a person doesn't have a lot of artwork maybe a subtle faux paint treatment on one wall. What you described in the article sounds like it was taken to the extreme.

  4. Hi Lee, I agree. I have a feature wall in my master bedroom it looked good with the old bed spread, not so much with the new. Too confining, too distracting. I will soon change it and paint the entire room a subtle color that will allow me to change linens and art work without repainting. I like it when an entire house is in one color scheme.

  5. I have never really been into a "feature wall". In my opinion it is too much contrast and unbalance for one home. I do, however, design and decorated spaces and include features that may be slightly different in colour or shape and continue them in the rest of the house. For example, in my current clients house I have used wallpaper on one wall in the master bedroom- the paint colours on the other walls have been taken from the wallpaper and everything else in the room balances the contrast of the paper.

    In the living room I designed a wall that is highlighted with cove lighting and halogen downlights. It is subtle and functional- in my opinion anyway.

    All of the paint colours in the entire house are of similar colour and hue- no shock wall.

  6. On the topic of feature walls, i agree, it should be more subtle, as you move from room to room, although i always believe, everything within a specific room must blend, when you go into the next room, the changes should be subtle and not shocking..

    However, using bold colors for me works when the surrounding areas or walls tend to be neutral to highlight that wall..

  7. I think the hue needs to blend.What you described sounded more like an extreme situation.There should be a welcoming effect from the feature wall and not something on the alarming side.

  8. I agree that feature walls should be different in a subtle way. The feature should be distinguishing but still in a good harmony with its surroundings and next rooms. The feature walls, though maybe eye-catching, should not be too brilliant, not threatening. Everything should be peaceful in a living space.

  9. Yes I agree with you.I would rather put a difference feature walls more than one.But it should be in a subtle color. And I prefer
    to be with different pattern but same style.I think we should consider in how big is each room.

  10. i wndoer how the family was living in tht house which would look less welcoming than more like a haunted house wow wat a colour scheme

  11. I love a feature wall when it is part of a room's natural architechure, like a brick wall in a loft, river rocks and beams in a built-in fireplace surround. Painting a feature wall isn't so bad, if the colors/textures/techniques used provide a co-ordinated and cohesive look to the finished room's design and not a stick-out your tongue, in-your-face design flaw. Fabric, curtains, lighting, and soft goods can soften the wall when used appropriately.

  12. dey culd wrk if lighter shades of d same feature are used…but i wnt reely bother for a home probably more commercial and people friendly areas

  13. I agree a feature wall used in minimal applications can be a great focal point and area of discussion. Using wallpaper or paint that gives texture is a great way to do that as long as it blends in with the surroundings and flows with the design of the home. I feel each room should not have a feature wall it is then being overused. You can make a feature wall by adding accessories to it as well. Remember too much is not a good thing.

  14. I have 2 light grey walls and 2 darker grey feature walls in every room of my flat, with white timber skirtings, doors and ceilings to break it up. Our place is retro modern, and every colour I put against this background 'pops'. Works for me.

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