Photography: Caitlin Mills / Styling: Tess Newman Morris
Cancel your weekend. We’ve got the latest and greatest bedroom feature wall ideas to have you pushing back your statement bedhead, rolling up your linen sheets and reimagining the space where you spend the most time at home.
In fact, we’d argue that the bedroom feature wall never went out of style.
From the moment you step in the front door, your walls surround you with the potential to contribute to the style of your home. Wall design continues to evolve and whether it’s with wainscoting, wallpaper, texture or paint, creating a feature wall is one surefire way to breathe new life into a bedroom that’s a little down on its decorative looks.
A serene mix of blush, white and grey with wafts of green in this grounding main bedroom is anchored by a charcoal velvet headboard.
“Design trends today are heavily influenced by the idea of ‘creating a moment’, whether it’s the perfect Instagrammable photo or a great Zoom backdrop,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux Colour and Communications Manager. “Paint is the quickest, cheapest and most effective way to add personality to your home – all you need is a tin of paint, a couple of hours, and you can give a room an entirely new look.”
Before everything gets messy, there are some rules to follow to get your new wall design right. Here’s what you need to know.
Why you should consider a bedroom feature wall
Affordable – easy on the wallet, as you’re not dealing with a whole room
Achievable – easy on the skill set – paint a single wall or apply wallpaper for maximum impact (paste-the-wall paper and painters’ tape are your friend, here)
Risk-averse – easy to change if you’re not happy with your first attempt, or want an update
Rewarding – when done right, a bedroom feature wall is a feast for the eyes
Which wall should you choose for your bedroom feature wall?
Your feature wall should be the first surface your eye falls on when you enter the bedroom, preferably one that offers a fairly large expanse, unbroken by windows or doors. This is most likely the same wall that you place your bed against – the most significant piece of furniture in the space. It makes sense to go for a bold statement.
How to choose a paint colour for your bedroom feature wall
The classic feature wall, and one of the easiest to complete, the only thing the painted wall needs is an eye-catching colour and a neat finish. Rich, deep hues are having a moment, while dusty pastels with a hint of black give a warm, sophisticated look. Whichever you choose, make sure the surface you’re covering is as unblemished as you can make it; fill any holes with filler and sand back for a smooth finish. Matt paint is more forgiving than satin or gloss if there are a few bumps.
Wallpapered bedroom feature walls
There are so many gorgeous wallpapers around, you’re spoilt for choice, but it’s a great way to make a splash. For expensive wallcoverings, it’s best to call in the professionals, but paste-the-wall coverings are a relatively straightforward DIY job. It’s important to match edges carefully in a patterned paper and to ensure you don’t end up with a thin strip in the corner. Look online for wallpaper-hanging videos for help if you’re unsure, and ask your supplier to work out the room size to ensure you have enough to finish the job.
Use a distinct wallpaper to create a feature wall, then use other decorative items in the room to tie in the colours and accentuate your favourite hues. Paint the remaining walls in a neutral colour to avoid detracting from the feature wall with anything too bold.
Create your bedroom feature wall
Flora flower ornament wallaper
Deep Teal Porters Paints
Design Concrete Effect paint, Dulux
More feature wall ideas
Textured paints – such as metallics, suede effects and stone looks – are now readily available and are an easy way to embrace the latest trend for textured walls. Some are trickier to apply than others, so be sure to check the instructions on the tin before you buy, and follow them carefully if you commit. Ensure the finish is as professional as you can; don’t stint on the coats so there’s no patchy show-through, and use painter’s tape for razor-sharp edging.
Create a gallery wall in your bedroom
A statement-making collection of art or photos might be all you need for a fantastic focal point. “Consider a gallery wall or pairs of artworks to fill bigger spaces,” advises Bluethumb’s interior designer Alexandra Stavrou. “This is a nice alternative to one big statement piece. Not only are they cheaper to collect this way; you can also bring out more of your personality into the space.” Stick to frames in just two or three colours for a cohesive effect. The secret to success is to work out the arrangement of your gallery wall before you start hanging the real thing. An easy way to do this is on the floor – you can play around with your arrangement to your heart’s content until you get the look you love. Otherwise, cut paper templates of your pieces and position them on the wall with blu tack till you have the right effect; then hang each piece in place, removing the templates as you go and positioning the works the same distances apart to give your arrangement a holistic feel.
