18 Designer-approved accent wall colors for 2023

Want to add color to your space? Create an accent wall. Want to make a room feel unique? Create an accent wall. Want to make a small space feel bigger? You guessed it… create an accent wall. 

There are unlimited benefits to adding an accent wall to any room in your home. Amy Youngblood puts it best when she says, “accent walls are the perfect way to turn a boring and lifeless room into one that’s unique, fun, and full of dimension… it gives you the opportunity to incorporate color and pattern into your space.” 

We created a guide to the 18 best accent wall colors to add to your space, as well as expert advice on choosing a color that will work with your color scheme.

1. Dark Gray

While many think of an accent wall as a bright pop of color, dark colors provide their “pop” by creating contrast. Amy Peltier describes this contrast as “creating a really strong focal point for the room, which is the entire point of an accent wall.” 

While working with clients to design a room, Karen Billman likes to “push the envelope by suggesting a bold accent wall to elevate the design.” Right now, Billman loves using dark gray paint colors like Dior Gray or Deep Space from Benjamin Moore, as these colors are “so lush that they make your eye go toward that wall, adding another textural element to the room.” additionally, the richness of dark gray “makes any room seem luxurious,” Billman added. 

2. Peach and Beige 

To bring warmth and visual interest to a light color palette, Abby Feltner suggests using variations of peach and beige as an accent wall color. “Warm neutral colors such as peaches and beiges are lovely tones to bring into an accent wall or built-ins in your living room, or even on the ceiling in your hallway or dining room,” Feltner says. 

3. Forest Green 

To bring an organic, woodsy feel inside, Anna Franklin suggests using a deep forest green as an accent wall. Forest Green works well with most color palettes, while providing a soothing interior that doubles as a focal point within the room. 

4. Blue

Using blue as an accent wall is another way to create a soothing area of interest– depending on the shade of blue, of course. While royal or imperial blues add drama to any room, a light blue accent wall works with the rest of your color palette to create a tranquil vibe. According to Amy Youngblood, “Blue is a trendy color currently, and a good way to incorporate that trend is by using it in an accent wall.” 

5. Lilac

Jessica Harris takes accent wall colors seriously, especially in the bedroom. “The color of our bedrooms can drastically change our mood, comfort, and the way we live, so use soothing colors in an accent wall in these spaces,” says Harris. To bring a sense of tranquility into your space, Harris suggests using lilac wall paint to create an accent wall, as it evokes friendliness and passion while bringing a sense of calm with it. For those looking to incorporate a lilac accent wall in their homes, Harris recommends considering French Lilac (Benjamin Moore #1403). 

6. Sage Green

A sage green accent wall is another great option for those looking to bring their space closer to nature. Nishtha Sadana suggests using Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray for a sage green paint color that will make your space look both appealing and soothing. 

7. Taupe

For those that already have a bold color palette in their space, Linda Sasson suggests using taupe as an accent wall. “If the colors in the room are strong and vibrant, then go with a neutral tone on your feature wall, like taupes, grays, or beige, and use textures or wall finishes to say it all,” says Sasson. 

8. Navy blue

If you’re going for a strong traditional look, Anna Franklin suggests using navy blue as an accent wall color, as it “offers a classic and timeless look while making a statement.” Navy blue draws the eye in when paired with a light color palette, creating a focal point within the room. If you’re looking to highlight a specific part of the bedroom, create your navy blue accent on that wall. 

9. Black 

Contrary to popular belief, dark colors like black enhance the architecture and other characteristics of the room when balanced out with light-colored pieces. For a black accent wall color that’s rich without overpowering the room, Amy Peltier recommends Soot by Benjamin Moore. Karen Billman recommends Black Bay by Dunn-Edwards for a dark paint that will make light furniture pop. 

10. Charcoal

For those looking to create a modern or minimalist interior, charcoal gray makes for a great accent wall color as it exhibits a “clean, crisp, and formal vibe to your space,” says Nishtha Sadana. 

11. Teal

To create a cool, vibrant feeling in a home, Jessica Harris likes to use teal paint as an accent wall color. “Teal is full of personality, making it perfect for an accent wall,” says Harris. Harris recommends Tsunami (Behr #S450-7) to create that cool yet modern look. 

12. Midnight blue

For an accent wall that will always spark energy and character into your space, try Midnight Blue. Nishtha Sadana recommends Sherwin Williams Moscow Midnight for a paint color that will always make your room stand out. 

13. Yellow

A yellow accent wall is a way to bring summer sunshine inside all-year-round. “We love a client who is willing to experiment with daring colors,” says Abby Feltner. “Laundry room built-ins, powder room vanity walls, and fun bedrooms are the perfect place to incorporate your favorite colors into an accent wall.” 

14. Pink

To add a hint of energy to your space Abby Feltner suggests creating a pink accent wall. A pastel pink will add zest to your space in a way that is more playful than a strong red. 

15. Moody blues and dark greens

Moody Blues and dark greens are great options to use in the bedroom, as they act as a calming anchor that draws you in. “The depth of the color can also make your space feel bigger,” says Abby Feltner. 

16. Red

Using red as an accent wall color is a bold color choice that adds energy to any space. In the above room, red was used as an accent wall in a space with a light color palette so as not to be too overwhelming. Hints of red can be found in the throw pillow and blanket on the couch, uniting the red wall with the rest of the room. 

17. Combine Colors

Why use just one color as an accent wall when you can use multiple? In the above room, yellow, orange, and white were paired together to create eye-catching geometric shapes on the wall behind the bed– the perfect wall to draw the eye in. In this room, the blue and white from the bedding bring out the blue and white in the accent wall, while the red, yellow, and green add a pop using complementary colors. 

18. Wallpapers

To elevate your space with an accent wall that makes any room feel like an art piece, try using wallpaper. 

How to Choose the Right Color and Style for Your Accent Wall

Creating an accent wall is the perfect way to flirt with the commitment that a specific color, pattern, and texture brings to your space. While painting an entire room a specific color can be intimidating and expensive, limiting your color to one wall minimizes both the expense and the color’s impact. According to Abby Feltner, accent walls are also a “very easy way to create a focal wall” in any room.  

While deciding which color, pattern, or texture to use when creating an accent wall, consider the color palette already in the room. If you’re hesitant about using a specific color because you’re worried it will take over the room, Anna Franklin suggests “using a complimentary color that is a shade or two darker than the rest of the room.” 

When creating an accent wall in a space, Jessica Harris likes to remind herself that textures are also an option. “Overlay wood panels easily and affordably transform a room,” Harris says. “And as opposed to paint, they’re more rustic, warm, and natural.” 

What an Accent Wall Brings to a Room

While accent walls are an easy way to bring more color to a space, they can also create a focal point within the room, create a sense of balance, and make a space look bigger by creating depth. 

Abby Feltner likes to use accent walls in spaces with an open layout, as they “designate areas within the space for a specific purpose, giving you some control over division in the space.”