Accent walls are great additions to create a focal point to make a statement within your home. They can be used to break up any monotony in a room and achieve a look that revolutionizes your space. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to create a balanced interior design when you have an accent wall. The result may weigh down one side of the room, making it feel lopsided rather than bringing the room together. 

Unbalanced accent walls can result from poor planning. This is a critical accent wall mistake you should avoid making, but it’s easy to do if you haven’t examined the room. Often, DIYers will jump into what they think will work rather than taking the time to assess the space. Accent wall colors that are too bold, too bright, or too dark can actually take away from the rest of the space and contribute a lopsided look. For example, incorporating a dark red accent wall to an airy room with bright natural lighting and pale yellow walls will detract from the aesthetic. 

Textures and patterns in architectural features can work for an accent wall, but may also look lopsided when there is too much decor or too many textures surrounding it. This makes the room feel heavier on the side where your accent wall is, rather than balanced and flowing. Lastly, simply copying accent wall ideas that you’ve been seeing everywhere from other homes or magazine images can make your room feel lopsided if it doesn’t match the rest of your home’s overall character.

To avoid creating a lopsided accent wall, you must take the time to read the room and figure out the best focal point or feature wall. Consider where your eye is naturally drawn in the room and whether that is an ideal place. Instead of going for the most obvious wall, you may want to consider a more subtle route by featuring a small side wall. You can also develop a more balanced feel with your accent wall by placing it across from existing architectural features, such as windows, doorways, or molding. In the same way, you can create a cohesive flow by moving some furniture and decor to the opposite side of your accent wall to restore balance.

Next, you’ll want to avoid picking the wrong paint color. You should use a contrasting color only if it works with the other colors in the room. If you don’t have boldly colored decor or furniture, consider changing the wall to a more muted shade that goes with your color scheme. This will help to bring the entire room together. Instead of adding a dark wall in an airy room, consider a lighter contrasting color that complements your decor and keeps the room bright, such as sage green or soft blue. 

Finally, it’s not that you can’t borrow ideas from others, but they have to make sense in your home. If the colors, pattern, or features don’t match your current color scheme or style, it will end up looking lopsided. Rely on your home’s existing decor and look to find accent wall ideas to liven up your home that work well within the existing space, being sure to incorporate your own personal preference.