Dining room accent walls are all the rage and can really elevate any type of space. If you’re curious about incorporating an accent wall in your own space but don’t know where to begin, you’ll want to read on for guidance from interior designers and check out the 12 inspiring images below. Get ready to totally transform your dining space and wow all of your guests!

Play Up the Wall You Face

Not sure which wall is deserving of some extra fun? The wall that you face when you enter a space is that one that should be designated as the accent wall, notes designer Fanny Abbes of The New Design Project. “This will create the biggest impact and add a bit of interest to the overall design.”

Make It Classic with Paint

While wallpaper can make a chic statement, there’s nothing wrong with using paint for the accent wall, either. “For the most cost effective high impact moment, painting is a perfect choice,” Abbes comments. “Budget permitting, you can also incorporate faux wall finishes such as limewash or roman plaster to give a bit of texture.”

Keep It Subtle

Even a more simple accent wall like this one adds extra personality to this neutral dining room.

Paint It Pink

If being a bit bold is what makes you happy, then by all means, include it!  ”When adding an accent wall to a dining room, you want to ask yourself what mood you want to create with this addition,” says designer Larisa Barton of Soeur Interiors. “Not all dining rooms crave formality, so have fun with it! A vibrant color can be a nice contrast to more serious furniture and get the party going.”

Go Geometric

“Accent walls can be harder than one might think,” says Megan Hopp, who designed the space shown here. “It might seem like an easy way to add a dose of design without committing to a full space, but so often accent walls can feel disjointed or like a hodge podge if not executed with clear coordination and finesse.” Hopp offers a few key tips to keep in mind to ensure that the wall looks sleek and intentional. “A smart way to stay on track is to make sure something about your accent wall coordinates to the other pieces in your dining space, be it a color story, architectural feature, shape, pattern, or texture,” she says. In the room pictured, Hopp opted for a black and white geometric pattern ”to anchor the dining furniture and coordinate with the triangular shape of the table and chair legs as well as the color of the black leather upholstery,” she explains.

Think About Lighting

The amount of light a particular dining space receives may influence the direction you wish to go regarding an accent wall, Abbes says. “In a room flooded with natural light, you might lose the impact of a beautiful moody accent wall—especially if installed directly opposite a light source because harsh daylight can wash colors out,” she notes.

Say Yes to Texture

Bring on the texture. “I find textured walls fascinating,” Abbes says. “You somehow feel compelled to touch them and the experience becomes more than just visual.”

Embrace the Best of Both Worlds

Wallpaper and geometric designs shine in this maximalist style dining room. Why not embrace the best of both worlds if you love patterns galore?

Hang Some Mirrors Opposite

Include some mirrors in your space, if you wish. “Opposite the accent wall, I like to place large decorative mirrors to give a reflected impact upon entry and pull in the color of the accent wall throughout the space and create a sense of continuity,” Abbes comments.

Use Wallpaper to Illustrate a Theme

Abbes loves how wallpaper can add so much character to a dining space. “If you are leaning into a theme—floral, geometric, et. cetera—wallpaper is the best way to incorporate these types of patterns into the design,” she says.

Add Storage Solutions

Bookshelves placed in front of a wallpapered accent wall add even more visual interest to this side of the dining room, while also providing valuable storage.

Bring on the Black

Feel like adding a pop of black into your dining space? Go for it, designer Hema Persad says. “I love a dark and moody dining room so don’t be afraid of black, even if it’s just one wall. Add a statement piece of artwork and a unique credenza to make it a focal point behind the head of the table.”

Any questions please feel free to ask me through Andrew@sinotxj.com