Is your home feeling a little lacklustre? An eye-catching feature wall is the perfect way to dip your toe into maximalist decor without the commitment of a full room makeover.
Whether your interior style is vintage, minimalist or eclectic, there’s a feature wall for you.
Before getting started, read our guide to choosing the right location for a feature wall. You want it to blend seamlessly with your personal style and not stick out like a sore thumb.
For a creative space like a home office, opt for something that sparks your imagination - a striking wall mural is a great option. If it’s a sophisticated living room you’re after, why not introduce a carefully curated gallery wall? Done well, they're timeless.
And if you're looking for bathroom ideas, you’ve come to the right place! Consider interesting surface textures and designs in mellow colours to create a calming space you’ll never want to leave - terrazzo-style is our pick of the season!
Read on for 11 feature wall ideas that will completely transform your space…
11 of the best feature wall ideas
Create a gallery wall
Everyone who's anyone in the interiors world has a gallery wall. It's the perfect way to add a dose of vibrancy and interest to a simple room. For a thought-out and stylish gallery wall, pick a theme or colour to thread through the arrangement and tie everything together.
For instance, in the example above, tones of sunset orange add warmth while travel-inspired prints bring back nostalgic memories of past trips abroad. Make sure to play with shapes, sizes and levels for a free-flowing finish.
Create a flower wall
If you’re looking to create a show-stopping feature in your home, you can’t go wrong with a flower wall. They're perfect for adding colour, soft texture and interest to bedrooms, living rooms and even dining rooms, plus, if you don't want to pay for an expensive ready-made one, they're super easy to make yourself. Take a look at our guide on how to make a flower wall here for an easy, four step tutorial.
Add striking patterns
Adding a patterned motif to one of your existing walls is a great way to liven up your space. If you've got a penchant for pattern, what could be better than giant metallic polka dots? Copper remains our metal of choice and pairs beautifully with pale pink and neutral colour schemes. For a precise finish, make sure you have a stencil handy (and a little bit of patience). If you're not one for metallics, try black and white for an equally impressive Dalmatian design.
Opt for terrazzo tiles
Terrazzo is bang on-trend right now, and here a lustrous sage subway tile adds a note of tranquility to a playful terrazzo design. Sage is definitely one of our favourite colours of the summer - we can't get enough of this versatile shade that packs a subtle punch. Throw in a few tropical houseplants and you've got your very own bathroom haven. Fancy having a go yourself? This tutorial on how to tile a kitchen splashback will show you how to cut and lay metro tiles.
Add wooden panelling
Wood isn't just for the floor! Natural materials help to create a calming interior that connects harmoniously with the outside world. For a striking variation on the feature wall, opt for wooden panels in a rich mahogany shade. To keep the look from going overboard, make sure your flooring is comparatively pared-back and choose a sleek light fitting with statement bulbs.
Add texture
A touch of texture never goes amiss, especially in a predominantly neutral scheme. Introduce some life to a plain wall with three-dimensional panels that fuse a variety of geometric shapes. The intricacy of 3D panelling takes mellow tones up a notch and complements a minimalist Scandi design. It's an elegant option for a modern dining room that you won't see anywhere else!
If you're not ready to commit to permanent panelling, why not try adding some textured wallpaper? Simply follow our steps on how to wallpaper like an expert for a striking display.
Hang a rug
For an alternative take on wall decor, why not switch your favourite rug from the floor to the wall? It's an affordable and quirky alternative to a wall hanging that's also easy to swap year in, year out. Let a heavily patterned rug act as a focal point in a laid-back room, or go maximalist with a bright, bold rug in an already loud room.
Paint a rainbow mural
If you love 70s inspired boho decor, why not brighten up your walls with a rainbow wall mural? Vibrant colours and funky patterns unite for a playful wall update that'll definitely be the centre of attention in your home. Accessorise with retro-style lamps, wooden accents and maybe even a record player.
Don't want to use a whole tub of paint? Check out our tester paint pot project ideas which will save you money and save any paint going to waste!
Put up irregular panelling
For a modern take on traditional panelling, experiment with diagonal lines and an irregular design. Keep colour to a minimum and allow the intricate design to do all the talking. To warm the look up, introduce natural materials such as wood and rattan. The finishing touch? A houseplant (or ten) is always a good idea.
Add a marble mural
If you're after impact, this is the feature wall for you. Large scale wall murals are instantly striking and a guaranteed talking point at dinner parties. Jump on board the marble trend with a metallic gold option, like the one above, which creates the ultimate glamorous finish in a dining room.
Try textured tiles
Lovers of all schemes neutral, rejoice! You can still create a statement feature wall without an abundance of colour and pattern.
A neutral bathroom is ideal to unwind and relax, but why not add some interest with textured tiles? Those that replicate the ridges of real stone add a natural touch to the bathroom - 'bringing the outside in' done right!
