Trend Focus: Statement Walls
By Amy Kilvington
Statement walls are a simple way to transform the look and feel of a room. Embrace this trend and create your own canvas with our top tips…
A statement wall, also known as a feature wall, is a focal wall within your space that may be decorated with patterned wallpaper, a painted mural or one bold colour. It first became a trend in the 1990s, when interior designers started experimenting with papering only one wall, bringing interest into otherwise plain rooms. This was also a much cheaper approach than decorating all four walls.
Now, history is repeating itself, with statement walls making a massive comeback. This trend is a great opportunity to get creative and try something different, allowing you to experiment with new styles and draw attention to a certain part of your room. Statement walls are also a great way to break up an otherwise simple or empty space.
Before getting stuck in, it’s important to choose your feature wall carefully. A wall with a mantelpiece is a good option, or where your bed’s headboard sits against. Walls with windows or internal doors are not such a good idea, as there’s less surface space for the look. It’s also worth remembering that you shouldn’t include more than one feature wall per room, as this will risk overcrowding and creating a chaotic feeling.
Rooms of all sizes can benefit from a statement wall. For instance, patterned wallpaper in your small downstairs bathroom works well, while a deep colour with a gallery of prints will be more impactful on a large living room wall. Exposed bricks and wood panelling can also work beautifully, but of course, you must consider your room’s architecture when taking these approaches.
So what statement wall style will work best for you? We’ve explored four key looks for the statement wall trend, explaining how you can achieve the look. Read on to find out more!
Scandi Geometrics
Scandi (or modern) geometrics are a popular choice for statement walls. Look for patterns with thin lines and simple repeats. In terms of scale, both small and large prints work well.
When it comes to choosing your colour palette, consider powdery shades of pink, lilac, cream and sage, along with neutral tones of bone and grey. Wallpaper with a little shimmer will also bring extra interest without being too glitzy.
20s Luxury
Of course, if you are a fan of glitz and glam, the 20s trend is the perfect choice for your statement wall. Look for wallpaper that’s inspired by Art Deco. Heavy, deep shades of navy, purple and emerald green will be an impactful choice, especially when highlighted with metallic designs of arches and fans.
You could also nod towards luxurious maximalism with your 1920s feature wall. Golden patterns like flowers, leaves and parrots will make for a serious statement.
Foliage
Foliage is a huge trend when it comes to statement walls. While tropical prints in deep and vibrant shades of green remain a favourite, we’re now seeing a rise in more traditional illustrated designs on subtle backgrounds, such as stems, leaves, fruit and butterflies in shades of grey, greige, khaki and dusky pastels.
One of our favourite foliage designs to use for a statement wall is teal palm leaves upon a blush pink backdrop. This works beautifully within a contemporary yet mid-century inspired space.
Plain Colours
For a more simplistic approach to statement walls, choose one plain colour. We’re seeing a rise in both dark walls (in shades of charcoal, navy and petrol, for example) and lighter neutrals (such as off-white, stone and bone). Earthy tones of terracotta and peachy pink are another great option for warming up your space.
When it comes to painting your feature wall, choose as high a quality paint as you can afford. It might be worth purchasing a cheaper paint for the base colour, then investing in a higher quality product for the second and third coats.
Statement fabrics
Take a look at some of our favourite statement fabrics, which can either complement, contrast or inspire your new feature wall. Click the images to shop direct.
Bring interest and personality into your home with a statement wall. You can also select high quality, made to measure blinds, curtains, cushions and lamp shades from Blinds Direct to coordinate with your new space. Got a question? Get in touch with our team – we’re always happy to help.
