Feature this

By Justine Olivier

Adding personality to your interior living spaces has never been easier, and there’s no better way to spruce up a dull space than with a feature wall. A feature wall or accent wall is a wall that is transformed into a decorative feature to enhance a room by giving it a focal point. “A feature wall provides a focus in a room where an architectural feature such as a window or door is absent. It draws the eye and creates a mood or gives the room character,” explains Gary Searle, of St Leger and Viney.

Leila Ment, of Fedglass, says that a feature wall is great as it can help to tie design elements together in one focal point. A feature wall need not be confined solely to a solid colour. Create eye-catching designs by using a combination of colours, or perhaps use your favourite wallcovering pattern, or even simply arrange a photograph wall by displaying your favourite shots in various frames on one wall in whatever pattern you prefer.

Kate van Niekerk, of Tile Africa, says that the choice of materials to use on walls is numerous, and even ceramic or porcelain tiles, colourful mosaics, natural stone or cladding can create a great effect.

The choice is yours whether you want a dramatic or a more subtle effect. Whatever you choose there is a host of ways to create an eye-catching feature wall. Anthony Douglas-Jones, of Douglas Jones, says: “Choose patterns or designs and colours that do not dominate the surroundings but rather complement them. Be bold and creative but be wary of patterns that may date.” Adding character and life to the room, an accent wall also significantly enhances the ambience of the interior with its eye-catching design, and is further accentuated by a backdrop of neutral hues. With a room that is open-plan in design you can further enhance the colour and/or pattern of your wall by using soft furnishings of the same or similar shade throughout the open-plan areas – this will allow for a seamless flow and link throughout.

“A feature wall can trick the eye into making a room look larger or smaller depending on what colour you use,” explains Claire Bond, of Plascon.

“Red makes a room more intimate and seem smaller and cosier, while blue makes the space seem larger. Black and deep charcoal can also make a room look larger.” Creating a feature wall is a great way to give your room something extra, giving it a je ne sais quoi.

Peter van Wyk, of Maxim Property Group, explains just how easy it is to create a feature wall yourself: “Choose a wall that would be good for a feature and only use that wall, as using an alternative texture or colour on more than one wall could minimise the effectCaesas that you are trying to achieve.

Depending on the type of interior, you may want the feature wall to simply be a change in texture in the same colour, or another colour combined with texture. Contrasting colours are also a great alternative.” The materials you use for your feature walls will determine what maintenance is required for it.

If you want something with less hassle and fuss then painting your wall or even giving it a certain texture is the way forward. However, Claire explains that interior walls are more likely to get dirty, knocked and chipped and therefore advises using a paint sealer to protect it from dirt.

In terms of your wall getting chipped, always ensure that you have a bit of the same shade of paint left over for touch ups. “Due to the nature of a feature wall, suitable materials can be expensive,” advises Trevor King, of Caesarstone. He therefore recommends working with a smaller area and using lighting to draw attention to that area, for maximum impact.

Decorating your feature wall has never been easier or more exciting. Don’t be afraid to add your own personality and style to it. Be inventive, conduct thorough research and choose a style that you like because at the end of the day the wall is ultimately a reflection of your tastes and likes. Choose the colour, paint, wallcovering, frames, artworks, tiles and so forth that speak to you.