Dress Up an Accent Wall

I’m a fan of the decorated, lived-in home look. Anyone who has ever been in my house can assure you it’s filled with lots of furniture, tons of frames on the walls, and plants and flowers. The modern look is nice, but I prefer a home with lots of natural charm.

That being said, we currently live in a 1940's historical zone. Antique light fixtures, crown moldings, quirky floor plans, and large-pane windows give our house a ton of character. I love any chance I get to put our own style into the home décor. 

If I see a blank space, I will do my best to fill it! That's the story of the accent wall in our family room. Far too bare for my liking, I decided to give it a makeover!

Here's what I had to work with:

As you can see, this wall is badly in need of some fresh paint and a little style!

Here's a step by step guide of how I transformed this boring wall into an inviting, colorful, and character-filled space:

1. First Step: Add some Paint!
I love all things grey, so I decided to go for a nice neutral grey tone for the back drop of this makeover. I also re-painted the white trim along the doors to get a nice crisp contrast against the new grey.

Ah, looking better already!

2. Second Step: Add a Chair and Table!

I grabbed an extra dining chair that was taking up too much space in another room and placed it along the wall. For the side table, you can use any style that suits you. Square or round, shelves or no shelves, they all work great. I chose this little white one with glass doors. I like to have some space to put knick knacks and picture frames, so this one was a winner! 

3. Third Step: Add Picture Frames!
Frames are so easy to decorate an empty space and make it feel cozy. Not only are you eliminating the blank space, but you're filling it with memories and mementos of family and friends!

4. Fourth Step: Accessorize!

Time to add some pillows, plants, vases, and books!

I  also love adding bowls of brightly 

colored fruits (like lemons!) to liven up a space.

TIP:
When filling a cabinet that has glass doors, be mindful of what you are storing, as it will be visible when entertaining. I usually don't even consider it 'storage' and use it to display other plants or vases to keep the space looking clean and aesthetically pleasing.

5. Fifth Step: Enjoy your new space!

Before & After: