How Much Does It Cost to Paint an Accent Wall?

Stepping into a room that feels flat and uninspired can be a downer, especially when it's your own home. You've scrolled through endless Pinterest boards, dreaming of a vibrant and inviting space. Yet, the idea of undertaking a full room makeover feels daunting, both in terms of effort and expense. An accent wall could be the simple yet dramatic change you need to breathe new life into your favorite room, but where do you start? How much will this cost you?

At Brush & Roll Painting, we believe in the transformative power of color and the details involved in selecting just the right shade and applying it perfectly. With nearly 30 years of experience serving homeowners in Omaha, we specialize in creating vibrant living spaces tailored to your personal style.

This article will guide you through everything you need to know about the cost of painting an accent wall. By reading this article, you'll have a clear understanding of how to effectively plan and execute your accent wall project, ensuring a stunning result that transforms an interior space in your home.

What is an Accent Wall?

An accent wall, also known as a feature wall, is a single wall within a room painted a different color, shade, or pattern than the other walls. This technique draws the eye and adds interest to the space, making it a focal point of the room. 

Accent walls are a popular choice for adding depth and character to a living space without the commitment and expense of painting an entire room. Accent walls are also great if you love a particular color, but don't want to commit to a full room painted that shade.

Other options for accent walls besides painting (or in addition to painting) are wallpaper, board and batten, shiplap, or wooden patterns.

Reasons for Choosing an Accent Wall

1. Visual Appeal: Accent walls can break up the monotony of a room, providing a striking contrast that can make your decor pop.

2. Defining a Space: In open floor plans, an accent wall can help define areas within a larger space, such as distinguishing the living area from the dining area.

3. Highlighting Architectural Features: An accent wall can be used to highlight features like wood molding or detailing, a fireplace, or a particularly striking piece of artwork.

4. Experimentation with Color: For those hesitant to commit to bold colors, an accent wall offers a way to experiment without overwhelming the space.

How to Paint an Accent Wall

Step 1. Choosing the Right Wall: The choice of which wall to paint is crucial. It should be one that naturally draws the eye, such as the wall behind the headboard in a bedroom or one that frames the main seating area in a living room.

Step 2. Selecting the Color: Consider the existing decor and the mood you want to set. Vibrant colors can energize a space, while darker hues can add depth and warmth.

Step 3. Preparation: It’s important, when painting an accent wall, that you will have clean, crisp lines. If an accent wall is the only wall in a room that is being painted, the corners of the wall will have to be taped off. This will help protect the surrounding walls from accidentally getting paint smudged onto them, creating a messy, unprofessional result.

The wall should be properly prepared before painting. This includes cleaning any spots with stains or grime, filling in any holes, and applying a primer. This ensures the paint will adhere properly and look its best.

Cost of Painting an Accent Wall

Factors of the Cost of Painting an Accent Wall

1. Complexity of the Project: The complexity of the project can vary if you decide to use special techniques or multiple colors, which might require more time and skill. The cost of painting your accent wall will depend on whether any other walls in the room are being painted. If so, this could lower the cost as the edges of the accent wall won’t need to be taped off. 

2. Room Size and Wall Dimensions: The size of the accent wall will greatly influence the cost. A larger wall requires more paint and, potentially, more labor.

3. Quality of Paint: Higher-quality paints are more expensive but provide better coverage, durability, longevity, and a more vibrant color payoff.

4. Professional vs. DIY: Hiring professional painters will ensure a flawless finish, but will cost more than doing it yourself. However, the investment can be worth it for the expertise and efficiency brought to the project. Also keep in mind, the cost for hiring a professional painter can vary depending on the cost of labor each company sets. While some painters can paint a room in a few hours, it might take other painters longer as they have a more extensive process and prep work steps.

Average Costs for Painting an Accent Wall

For one accent wall, you can expect to pay $150-250, but this will depend on what other work you need done.

If you have more accent walls of the same color in other rooms of your home that you would like painted at the same time, the price per wall will decrease. So you get more bang for your buck! This is due to the same materials being used for multiple spaces. 

When you have one accent wall being painted, you will need a gallon of paint. Because it is only one wall, this will give you a lot of extra paint, which can be used on more accent walls or in another area of your home.

It is important to keep in mind that if you are hiring a painter, they may have a minimum price they have to meet to do the project. On average, the minimum for a painting project from painting companies is $400-$600. The painter may also add in the cost of materials as well.

This means that an accent wall as part of your project may cost $150-$250, but if you are just having an accent wall painted, it could be $400-$700 due to the project minimum.

Painting an Accent Wall in Your Home

Choosing to add an accent wall is more than just a painting project; it's a transformation of your living space that adds personality and flair. From understanding the costs involved to choosing the right colors and techniques, this article has equipped you with the knowledge to confidently plan and execute your accent wall project.

Remember, whether you choose to DIY or hire professionals like Brush & Roll Painting, the key is in the preparation and choice of materials to ensure a stunning result that reflects your vision for your home.

Brush & Roll Painting is a high-quality interior painting company. Since opening in 1996, we have learned the ins and outs of transforming interior spaces with an accent wall.

It’s important that you are confident throughout each phase of your interior accent wall project, whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a painter so that you don’t make any mistakes. Download your checklist to mark off each phase of your project as it’s complete.