A feature wall can completely transform a room with colour. The right shade enhances architectural details, adds depth, and creates a striking focal point. But placement matters just as much as colour. Choosing the wrong wall can make a space feel unbalanced, while the right one brings harmony and style.
Before reaching for the paint brush, consider the room’s natural focal points, lighting, and layout. Fireplaces, headboards, and entryway walls often make the best choices. With careful placement and the perfect colour, a feature wall will not just stand out but elevate the entire space.
Key Factors in Choosing the Right Feature Wall Location
Room Layout
The layout of your room is everything when it comes to the placement of your feature wall. Make a good choice and you can enhance the flow and appeal of your space. A feature wall should naturally draw the eye, not compete with the rest of the room.
Look at how furniture has been arranged and where attention naturally falls. The best choice is often the first wall you see when entering the room, or one behind a key piece of furniture in the room such as a sofa or the bed. The colour of your furniture will also play a role here as you'll want it to work well against the featured wall.
Amount and Direction of Natural Light
Natural light can make or break a feature wall. If you have a well-lit space it can help your space extrude depth and richness, while a poorly lit one can leave your room feeling dull and cramped.
You will also want to consider the temperature of light your room receives and the colour of the feature wall you choose. As a rule of thumb you should use warmer shades in south-facing rooms where light is naturally warmer, and warmer hues for north-facing spaces that receive a cooler natural light. West and east-facing rooms are more situational depending when you use the space during the day. For more information on this see our guide to selecting paint colours a different times of day.
Wall Sizes
Size matters when choosing a location for a feature wall Even if a colour works well in a room that doesn't mean it will work well on all walls. For example, if you were to use a darker shade as an accent wall can give a room a very different vibe depending on the wall you choose to decorate and the size of the space.
Natural Focal Points
Another consideration when it comes to selecting a wall as the best candidate for an accent wall is the layout of your room and where attention is naturally drawn. For example, this could be an alcove where the room naturally draws the eye, a fireplace surround, or any architectural features you would like to draw attention to. Just because you are painting a feature wall in your home doesn't mean it has to be a large full wall, you could choose to only paint a recess or alcove.
Furniture, a statement mirror, a large piece of artwork, or a distinctive light feature can all also play a role in which wall is best for your accent hue.