In a bedroom or nursery, the accent wall will be the wall with the bed or crib and in a bathroom it will be behind the vanity or directly behind the bath tub or even in the shower.
The smallest rooms in most homes are the bathrooms, so it makes sense that an accent wall could be a great design choice for these spaces. Even so, there are a few pitfalls homeowners should be aware of to ensure that their bathroom accent wall remains timeless and not tacky.
Yes, you can have an accent wall— or walls—in a small bathroom. These are a few accent wall ideas I used to transform my basement bathroom: Adding peel and stick wallpaper.
In general, the right wall to accent is usually the first one that you see when you enter a room. You and your guests will always have it in view.
The first thing you'll need to consider when deciding which wall should be the accent wall is where your attention naturally falls in the room. If the room has architectural features like a fireplace or built-in bookshelf that naturally draws the eye, you'll want to strongly consider it as your accent wall.
If you were to pick more than one, then it wouldn't have the same effect and you may as well paint the entire room. Because only one wall gets to be the accent wall, you must choose wisely. Your eye will naturally be drawn to certain walls over others depending on the lighting and furniture arrangement of the room.
What is the best paint color for a small bathroom? According to basic design principles, light colors such as white, crème, pastel blue, gray or yellow will visually expand a room, while dark colors such as a deep red, green or brown, will make a room feel smaller.
Choose the Wall Directly across from the Door
This is what people will see when they enter the room, and it will draw their eyes all the way down. With this in mind, you may not want that wall highlighted because it holds something unattractive, like the toilet.
Add Shower or Countertop Backsplashes
Even a single accent tile can be used above a sink to give your bathroom a minimal Zen feel with high style. Remember that a border doesn't have to be a thin line. It can include accent tiles within it to give you a fat border instead.
But should bathrooms be light or dark? When picking bathroom color ideas, you'll want to consider the mood you want to create as much as your style and taste. While light neutral tones are usually considered calming and soothing, perfect for a relaxing bathroom, it is also true that dark colors have much to offer.
For a more elegant feel, choose accent paint with a matte or flat finish. These are ideal for dining and living rooms. Choosing the right accent wall is just as important as choosing the accent color. The best accent walls are usually the first wall you see when you walk in a room.
Beware that paint holds the power to merely elongate a room, rather than make it feel bigger overall. 'Using a lighter shade on the end wall, furthest away from you as you enter the space, alongside darker walls either side create a sense of depth and work to elongate the room' says Ruth.
Many designers recommend white or light colors to create the illusion of a larger space, but coziness can be nice, too. In fact, current trends involve going a bit bolder with small bathrooms—especially powder rooms—and using vibrant jewel tones or moody colors like charcoal, eggplant, pewter green, or even black.
Generally, the shinier the paint sheen, the easier it is to clean and the better it resists moisture. Many people recommend using a semi-gloss in bathrooms since it virtually repels moisture. Eggshell and satin sheens are recommended for a bathroom doesn't get too much use — like a powder room or guest bathroom.
Depending on the style of your bathroom, both paint and wallpaper can be used for an accent wall. If you are going for an upscale design or want to add layers of pattern or texture, wallpaper may be the better choice than paint.
Keep it Neutral
For walls and appliances, sticking to colors like gray, white, and black are recommended. Selecting these colors makes it easy to match with décor. In addition, white is especially popular in many bathrooms because of its clean aesthetic.
To create a luxurious small bathroom look, use white bath towels and a light neutral color. If you spend more on high-quality white towels and rugs, your casual bathroom can appear more luxurious. Also, make everything look cohesive and accessorize with natural materials to go with your white linens.
Accent Walls
Speaking of accent walls, these will continue to be a top interior design trend for 2023. While many of us automatically think of using paint to create an accent wall, there are countless other options to make a wall a visually interesting focal point.
The Most Important Tip for How to Pick an Accent Wall Colour
Start by looking at your home's existing decor and figuring out what colour palette you'd like to work with. Consider colours already present in your furniture, artwork, or rugs to ensure cohesion between the accent wall and the rest of your decor.
A general rule is an accent wall can be a few shades lighter or darker, providing it's the same or a complimentary colour. Ideally, it should be the focal point & the first thing the eye is drawn to when entering the room.