Dulux knew it. So did your nan. One wall = total mood shift 👇

One feature wall, one beautiful feeling — here’s how to get the colour just right

July 11, 2025

Let Colour Speak: How a Single Wall Can Shift the Mood of an Entire Room

There’s something quietly powerful about walking into a room and feeling it... just feel right. Like that treasured armchair in the perfect corner, or the way afternoon light hits a vase of flowers — it’s not always obvious what’s working, you just know it is. That’s the magic of a well-chosen accent wall.

What Exactly Is an Accent Wall?

An accent wall is one wall painted a different colour to the others in the same room. It draws the eye, adds a splash of interest, and can completely change the way a space feels — calmer, cosier, or more full of life. It’s often chosen as a feature rather than a background, and when painted with intention, it becomes as much a story as it is a surface.

“The right feature wall isn’t show-offy. It’s storytelling with colour.” — Candeece H, Paint Specialist

When a Room Feels ‘Not Quite Right’ — Start Here

You’ve cleaned, reshuffled furniture, maybe picked up a new cushion or two — but something’s still missing. This is often when we hear, "It just doesn’t feel finished." That’s usually the wall calling out for a little colour.

An accent wall can:

Highlight beautiful details — like a fireplace or bay window
Add personality without overwhelming the whole room
Anchor your furniture and decor choices
Make the space feel warmer and more inviting

How to Choose the Perfect Colour (Without Regret)

Here’s the honest truth: choosing a wall colour can feel like guessing at the weather — and hoping it doesn’t turn on you. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

1. Start With the Story, Not the Sample

What do you want the room to feel like? Relaxed? Cheerful? Cosy? Moody? Colours carry emotion. Soft greens and warm greys feel calm. Deep blues can feel restful or dramatic, depending on the light. Terracotta and muted yellows give off a sunniness that rarely gets old.

So before reaching for any swatches, ask yourself: When I walk into this room, what would I love to feel?

2. Pay Attention to Light

If your room is flooded with natural light, you’ll find most colours stay true. But if it’s shaded or lit with warm bulbs, darker or cooler colours may come off looking muddy. One of our neighbours once painted her living room wall a trendy blue-grey — and then tore it off with a scraper six weeks later after realising it looked like "a cloudy sheep paddock at four o’clock." True story.

3. Use the ‘One Wall, One Feeling’ Rule

It’s tempting to go bold just because you can, but the best accent walls don’t shout over everything else. Instead, they quietly balance or highlight what’s already there. A soft sage green behind a timber bookshelf. A rich charcoal behind a crisp white bedspread. The strongest choices often come from restraint.

4. Sample, Sample, Sample

This might be the step most people skip — and regret. Don’t paint straight from the tin. Grab a few sample pots and paint up A4 card sheets. Stick them to different parts of the wall, and watch them throughout the day. Morning light, afternoon warmth, evening glow — see how your colour behaves.

“Paint in the tin is one thing. Paint on your wall at 3pm is another.” — Candeece H

Choosing the Right Wall

Not all walls are eager to be the star. Look for:

The wall you first see when walking in
One with natural framing — like windows or alcoves
A space behind key furniture, such as the bed or sofa

Avoid walls that are cluttered with doors, shelves, or too many interruptions — they can dilute the effect.

Layer It With Texture and Decor

Once the colour’s down, add thoughtful touches. A timber clock, a woven wall hanging, a piece of framed artwork you actually love (not one that just fills a space). This is where colour and character meet.

In one local home, a muted clay pink feature wall now sits behind a handcrafted quilt hung on a salvaged branch, nestled amongst indoor plants. It’s not just a wall anymore. It’s a corner of calm. That’s the magic.

Tricky Timelessness vs. Fleeting Trend

Trends come and go faster than a spring shower. But personal style lingers. Try this filtering question when tempted by a trendy colour: “Would I still love this if it wasn’t in a magazine?”

If the answer is yes — well then, you’re on to something good.

Need Help Picking? Ask a Local

Here’s the cheat code: You don’t have to figure it all out yourself. Pop into your local paint shop and bring a photo of your room, a cushion or curtain swatch — or even just your best description of what you’re hoping for. Sometimes, the right colour shows itself when someone else asks the right question.

And yes, paint specialists have seen it all — the wins, the regrets, the "what on earth was I thinking" moments. It’s a judgement-free zone, really.

Final Stir

An accent wall isn’t just about paint. It’s about bringing a little of yourself into your space — quietly and confidently. With colour that feels like home, you can create a room that doesn’t just look good... it feels like it fits.

So, if you’ve got a blank wall staring back at you — maybe it’s already chosen you first.

Happy painting,
Candeece H