Can you do accent wall with textured walls?

Having a textured wall in your home can add visual interest and dimension to a room. While smooth, flat walls are the norm, textured walls made of materials like brick, tile, or stucco can provide unique charm and character. If you have textured walls in your home, you may be wondering if you can still do an accent wall with them. The short answer is yes, you can absolutely do an accent wall with textured walls!

What is an accent wall?

An accent wall is a single wall in a room that is given special treatment to make it stand out from the other walls. This is done by painting the wall a different, usually bolder, color than the rest of the walls, or applying a special material or texture to the wall. An accent wall draws the eye, creates visual interest, and adds personality and flair to a room.

Popular accent wall ideas include:

• Painting the wall a bright, saturated hue
• Using a darker, moodier shade than the other walls
• Applying wallpaper, tile, wood panels, brick, or stone
• Creating a textured look with plaster or stucco

An accent wall is a simple, affordable way to transform the look of a room without a major renovation. The contrast between the accent wall and the neutral walls makes the accent color or material really stand out.

Choosing an accent wall with textured walls

When working with existing textured walls, choose the wall that will be the best backdrop for the look you want to create. Consider the following:

• Location – Pick a wall that is highly visible, like behind a sofa, bed, or television. This ensures your accent wall makes a statement.
• Lighting – A wall with plentiful natural light or accent lighting will show off an accent color or material best.
• Condition – Make sure the textured wall you want to accentuate is in good condition with no damage or imperfections.
• Layout – Focal walls like the wall behind a headboard or the wall opposite a doorway are ideal accent wall locations.

Decide if you want your accent material or color to blend in with or stand out from the existing texture:

• Matching textures and complementary colors will give a cohesive, pulled together look.
• Contrasting textures and bold colors will be striking and eye-catching.

Preparing a textured wall for an accent

Properly preparing your textured accent wall is key to getting a finished look you’ll love. Follow these steps:

1. Clean the wall thoroughly to remove any dirt, dust, grease, or grime so your accent material or paint adheres properly. Use a sponge with warm water and a small amount of mild detergent if needed.
2. Repair any cracks, holes, or imperfections with spackle or joint compound. Sand smooth when dry.
3. Remove any gloss or shine from previously painted walls by lightly sanding to rough up the surface. This helps the paint or new material adhere.
4. Apply painter’s tape around the edges of the wall to protect the surrounding walls from overpaint or overspray.
5. Prime the wall with an appropriate primer if painting. For example, use bonding primer for glossy or slick walls.

Proper prep removes any barriers between the wall and your accent material so you achieve full coverage and adhesion.

Painting textured accent walls

Painting is one of the easiest ways to transform a textured accent wall. Consider the following tips:

• Use high quality latex paint in a satin, eggshell, or semi-gloss sheen, which offer subtle sheen and durability.
• Apply with a roller cover designed for textured surfaces to ensure even coating into the grooves and valleys.
• Work in thin coats using vertical strokes and avoid overspreading, which can flatten the peaks of the texture.
• Allow ample drying time between coats since textured walls take longer to fully dry.
• Use an angled trim brush to cut in edges around windows, moldings, and corners for a crisp accent wall.

Be sure to choose a rich, saturated paint color so it pops against the neutral walls. Deeper accent wall colors work especially well in naturally lit rooms.

Best accent paint colors for textured walls

The following bold paint colors are perfect choices for making a textured wall pop:

• Navy or cobalt blue
• Forest, emerald, or hunter green
• Burgundy, wine, or eggplant purple
• Deep orange, rust, or terra cotta
• Charcoal gray
• Soft rose, pink, or coral
• Mustard or golden yellow

Adding wallpaper to a textured accent wall

Wallpaper offers unlimited options for creating a textured accent wall. Consider the following ideas:

• Bold prints – Choose oversized graphic prints with lively colors and patterns to really make the wall pop against more subtle textures like knockdown or skip trowel.
• Textured or flocked wallpaper – Flocked wallpaper has a velvety texture. Pair it with a matching wall texture like stucco for major dimension and interest.
• Metallic wallpaper – Metallic silver, gold, pewter, or copper wallpaper adds glamour. Use it to highlight a rough brick or stone wall.
• Grasscloth – Natural woven grasscloth makes a nice complement to a plaster wall for an organic look.

When hanging wallpaper on a textured wall:

• Use a heavy duty pre-mixed adhesive to ensure strong bonding to the irregular surface.
• Use a plastic smoother to apply the wallpaper smoothly onto the texture.
• Take care removing air bubbles and wrinkles to avoid tearing the paper over the uneven texture.

Applying faux finishes to textured accent walls

For a custom look, consider applying a faux finish technique like:

• Sponging – Apply two or more paint colors with sea sponges for a mottled, variegated look. Sophisticated on stucco.
• Rag rolling – Use a paint-dipped rag to create a soft, fabric-like texture. Perfect for brick walls.
• Color washing – Dilute paint and apply thin veils of translucent color. Works well on plaster.
• Dragging – Comb wet glazes with a stiff brush to get a streaky, vertical stripe effect. Great on concrete.

Faux painting requires specialty tools, multiple paint colors, and practice creating the technique. Seek instruction from experienced faux painters to learn proper mechanics and work with textured walls.

Applying tile, brick, or stone over textured walls

For a dramatic accent wall, apply tile, brick veneer, or manufactured stone over an existing textured wall. This completely transforms the look while retaining depth and dimension. Consider the following:

• Make sure the wall is structurally sound to support the weight of the new material.
• Use a concrete backer board as an underlayment for the accent material.
• Choose a lightweight accent material to reduce the load on the wall.
• Use proper adhesives designed for the specific accent material and the wall type.
• Take care aligning grout lines if using tile or brick. Irregular walls make this tricky.

Seeking professional guidance is advised when installing new heavy accent materials over existing textured walls.

Adding wood panels or shiplap to textured walls

Wood paneling or shiplap brings warmth and natural texture to accent walls. Consider the following for textured walls:

• Use lightweight beadboard or mDF shiplap panels rather than solid wood, which is very heavy.
• Make sure the wall is flat. Shimming may be needed to compensate for dips or gaps.
• Install wood paneling horizontally to minimize uneven joints between panels.
• Use construction adhesive and short drywall screws to install panels over concrete or brick.
• For stickier adhesives like liquid nails, use v-nails, paneling nails, or adhesive dots to hold panels in place while drying.

Pre-finished wood paneling or rustic, salvaged barnwood can upgrade textured plaster or concrete block walls in vintage, farmhouse, or cabin spaces.

Adding molding to textured accent walls

Trim molding can provide the perfect finished edge for a textured accent wall. Consider these tips:

• Use lightweight mDF or foam trim pieces instead of solid wood.
• Look for molded trim styles like crown molding with built-in detail vs basic flat stock boards.
• Use construction adhesive and finish nails to install trim over uneven plaster or concrete surfaces.
• For rough surfaces, attach furring strips first to create a smooth nailing surface.
• Take time to precisely miter joints for the most finished look.
• Caulk gaps before painting for a seamless accent wall trim frame.

Trim molding frames out accent walls beautifully without overwhelming the texture. Opt for wider crown molding up to 9 inches for a bold, substantial look.

Accent wall ideas for specific textured wall types

Certain accent wall treatments pair especially well with specific textured wall types. Some top options include:

Brick accent walls

• Whitewash bricks in a soft white or gray for a modern, coastal vibe.
• Paint bricks a matte black for an edgy industrial look.
• Stencil patterns onto brick in contrasting paint colors.
• Wallpaper over bricks with grasscloth or metallic papers.
• Place wood shiplap or board and batten planks over brick.

Concrete accent walls

• Stencil graphic prints, geometric shapes, or faux brick patterns onto concrete.
• Adhere metal tiles or tin ceiling panels to concrete for retro flair.
• Paint concrete walls in bold, saturated colors for pop.
• Cover concrete with stone or tile veneers, logs, or barn wood.
• Install floor-to-ceiling floating shelves or cubbies on concrete.

Stucco accent walls

• Apply Venetian plaster finishes like marmorino for elegance.
• Use rag rolling or sponging techniques to paint faux marble or stone looks.
• Stencil patterns like pinstripes, geometrics, or Moroccan designs onto stucco.
• Install reclaimed wood panels over stucco for contrast.
• Cover stucco with smooth stone or ceramic tile veneers.

Faux stone accent walls

• Paint or whitewash manufactured stone for a softer, lighter look.
• Install wallpaper with nature motifs, metallics, or bold prints over faux stone.
• Fill grout lines with metallic glass tile for sparkle.
• Introduce contrasting tones and textures with wood or brick accents.
• Upcycle salvaged barn wood into geometric patterns on faux stone.

Tips for textured accent wall success

Follow these tips to ensure your textured accent wall looks amazing:

• Pick an accent color/material that complements the wall texture for a cohesive look.
• Prep the wall thoroughly to remove grime and create a sound surface for treatments to adhere properly.
• Apply painter’s tape around the edges of the accent wall for perfect lines with paint.
• Work in small sections, completing an entire patch of texture before moving to the next area.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for wallpapers, stencils, tile adhesives, etc. to ensure success.
• Seal grout and caulk edges once accent is installed to prevent staining and damage.
• Consider hiring a professional if installing heavier accent materials like stone or brick.
• Protect the accent wall once complete by avoiding direct sunlight exposure or abrasive cleaners.

Conclusion

Textured walls add wonderful character to any room. You can absolutely create a beautiful, eye-catching accent wall using your existing textured brick, concrete, plaster, stone, or stucco walls as the backdrop. With imagination and proper planning, your textured accent wall can become the stylish focal point you’ve always envisioned without needing to demolish or re-finish the entire surface. Take time to choose the right paint color, materials, or treatments that work with your wall’s unique texture. With the proper prep work and application techniques, your textured accent wall will be a stunning DIY success.