Table of Contents
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Apply an Eccentric Wallpaper
To pair with the red-violet walls in the rest of the space, Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs installs a calming, nature-inspired wallpaper behind the bed frame.
Embrace Color and Shape
Contrast bright white walls with a bright geometric wallpaper behind a low-profile bed frame, as interior designer Michelle Boudreau does here. Decorative throw pillows tie the space together.
Paint an Ombre Effect
Rather than settle on a solid shade, create an ombré effect using two different paint colors. Here, design-firm DATE Interiors goes from light to dark — with the darkest shade near the floor.
Accent a Bright Hue With White
Instead of a striking accent wall, go bright everywhere besides the accent wall. Here, architecture-firm Arterberry Cooke pairs aqua blue walls with white wood paneling on a single wall.
Go Moody With Matte Black
Create a dramatic look and warm up the bedroom with a black accent wall. Take note from designer Dan Mazzarini and complement the space with a black bed frame and dark wall art.
Tie the Room Together
While the purple and white wallpaper is the star of the show, Living with Lolo adds matching throw pillows and an area rug to elevate the color palette.
Draw a Circle Over the Headboard
For a bedroom accent that’s a bit more subtle, paint a large circle over the bed. It may not be a full accent wall, but the painted shape definitely establishes a focal point in this space designed by DATE Interiors.
Skip the Headboard
With a wallpapered accent wall as vibrant as this one, there’s no need for a headboard. Complement a blue chevron print with bright white bedding.
Incorporate Earthy Tones
Play With Bright Colors
For a girl’s bedroom, don’t shy away from shades of purple and pink — starting with a patterned wallpaper, just as Kevin Isbell Interiors does.
Use Tape Instead of Paint
Match the Headboard
To ensure your accent wall connects back to the rest of the bedroom, draw out a featured color and match it to the headboard (hot pink is the winner here).
Turn a Closet or Nook Into an Accent
Get creative with your placement of an accent wall — it doesn’t have to be one of the four main walls. Here, there’s a vanity nook with a dreamy wallpaper.
Choose an Abstract Print
Placed behind the bed frame, this peach and white design exudes a modern, but somewhat boho, aesthetic. Reena Sotrop of In House Design Group balances the space with white walls everywhere else.
Wallpaper Half the Wall
With white wood paneling on the bottom, this boho-inspired girl’s bedroom has a pastel-colored wallpaper on only the top half of the wall. The end result is subtle, yet striking.
Keep It Sophisticated
An accent wall doesn’t always have to feel bold. Here, MDI Interior Design infuses a tasteful amount of color into this room. If you’re seeking a traditional look, pair a single wallpapered wall with white paint elsewhere.
Set the Mood With a Striking Print
With a jungle bird wallpaper, interior designer Ashley DeLapp adds an instant focal point in this earthy bedroom — which features olive-green paint on the other walls.
Choose a Daring Hue
Subdued neutrals aren’t the only paint colors that can be used to create a relaxing atmosphere. Take a cue from this Dan Mazzarini-designed bedroom, featuring a striking orange-red backdrop.
Install a Nature-Inspired Wallpaper
For this kids’ bedroom, designer Emily Henderson carved out a comfortable spot for Mom and Dad to nap whenever there’s an opportunity. The accent wall, sheathed in a tree wallpaper, defines the space and makes it a main focal point of the room.
Bring in a Rustic Touch
Give any bedroom a cabin-like feel with wood paneling. Introduce function by incorporating a floating shelf above a short headboard — a useful spot to display everything from artwork to lighting.
Senior Home Editor
Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”
Associate Lifestyle Editor
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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