Feature walls are nothing new, but their ability to transform a room with colour, texture and balance continues to keep them firmly pinned to many decorating mood boards. From contemporary paint techniques and panelling to incredible wall-to-floor murals, take a look at these fresh feature wall ideas that are sure to stand out in any room scheme.
If you're lucky enough to have beautiful bricks behind your plastered walls, expose them to make a dramatic industrial-style feature wall full of texture. However, the idea can be daunting, so we love this part-stripped wall set within a contrasting colour. If you are not lucky enough to reveal an original, fake the look with brick-effect wallpaper or brick slips.
Give a plain white wall a refresh with a block of zingy colour that will also act as a jaunty off-centre painted headboard. The simple effect will add instant character to a blank space, but use a good quality painter's tape for crisp results. Measure out your shape, fill in the masked area with a paint shade of your choice and simply peel and reveal your new painted feature wall.
Japandi is a hot trend that blends Oriental zen with Scandi minimalism. The addition of a Japanese screen style feature wall will infuse the space with airy zen. Mount thin bamboo or timber strips vertically and horizontally to a wall painted a warm white tone to create this simple but effective look.
The line art trend seems to be taking over the interiors world so why wouldn't we want to embrace a whole feature wall with enchanting faces influenced by the works of Pablo Picasso? The elegant monochrome print makes an artistic and contemporary statement when teamed with modern and minimalist furniture.
Give the boiserie panel technique a laid-back twist with a chevron effect. This beautiful apricot accent wall gets a touch of diagonal texture that's original yet softly subtle. A curvacious rattan headboard and tropical greenery complete the relaxed bohemian scheme.
These days we associate wallpaper borders with kitsch 1980s schemes we would rather forget. Not anymore! This fresh take on a wallpaper frieze brings the look up-to-date with subtle style. Reflecting on popular full-sized etched murals this 'forestscape' border is a more low-key option that we think is a mini mural must-have.
Creating a fabulous feature wall needn't be restricted to wallpapering or painting a wall. This set of symmetrical shelves displays a fabulous array of potted houseplants and creates a beautiful three-dimensional botanical statement. If watering this many plants fills you with dread, fake it with faux versions – we won't tell.
Transform your bathroom into a glorious Aegean-style sea with a stunning feature wall glistening with inky blues and cut marble shapes. Continue the luxurious look with smooth white marble tiles and a contemporary taupe toned freestanding bath.
Architectural panels instantly draw the eye and so are a great choice to create a three-dimensional feature wall in period or modern properties alike. Enhance and highlight the feature with traditional wallpaper to make the ornate texture stand out.
Two-tone is a simple and effective way to create a smart yet subtle accent wall. The split paint effect allows you to introduce colour to a room without compromising the sense of space while injecting depth and character.
Create a natural floor-to-ceiling headboard using textured materials. Narrow planks of wood cladding in bleached tones give this white bedroom a streamlined beach house vibe. Boho style hand-printed bed linen adds a shot of colour.
Archive print wow-factor wallpaper adds plenty of character and charisma but the busy repeat can overwhelm a scheme when papered on all four walls. Balance the look by focusing on the one wall and then keep other fabrics and upholstery plain.
Get creative with a full-size stencil wall. This pattern of alternating stripes repeats to form an on-trend geometric herringbone wallpaper effect that is easy for even beginners to create.
Floral wallpaper is nothing new but enormous detailed blooms will certainly demand attention. These enlarged vintage look florals grow across a vast wall interwoven between contemporary blocks of colour and shape. The navy and green colourway is perfectly matched on the adjacent walls to create a striking and modern botanical bathroom sanctuary.
Have fun in a child's room by designing a creative feature wall kids will find inspiring. Wall stickers make an easy 'peel and stick' addition and can be removed without fuss once your child moves onto another interest. We love this enlarged monochrome moon surrounded by an array of twinkling stars – there are 230 to be precise.
You can use any material to create a striking feature wall as long as it hasn't been treated with toxic protection chemicals. Wood pallets give wood cladding walls a reclaimed twist or how about these dramatic wood shingle roof tiles that look rustic and chic stained charcoal grey?
A bright and beautiful painted feature wall will set off a room with sloped ceilings, such as a loft conversion. Choose a punchy colour like this sky blue and team with crisp white to show off the angles of the room.
Feature walls papered in floral patterns were a go-to look in the 80s. So this soothing chinoiserie print makes a refreshing contemporary update. Pretty cherry blossom climbs over this subtle distressed-look backdrop to create a relaxing bedroom retreat.
Disguise an entertainment centre with a feature wall for a cosy cabin vibe that will keep the TV well hidden. Not only does this dark wood-clad feature wall add natural character but acts as a clever camouflage when teamed with an expansive TV and storage unit in matching tones – genius!
Transform your living room into a hive of activity with an accent wall hand-painted with hexagons. You can buy stencils or mask out the six-sided shapes yourself with a template and masking tape. Dulux shows you how to paint your very own hexagon honeycomb. And, what better warming colour scheme to choose than a rich shade of Spiced Honey, offset with a few random pops of colour?
A feature wall needn't be full of patterns or bright colour to stand out, especially when part of a busy scheme with lots of texture. This deep blue wall acts as a calming anchor against an exposed brick wall and cosy eclectic furniture.
Open-plan living rooms benefit from feature walls as the change in colour or texture works to zone separate living spaces with style. This warm living area is highlighted with a wall painted an inviting shade of teal while the gallery of prints becomes an additional focal point with coherent black frames.
A supersized illustrated jungle mural will transform a room and transport it to new tropical realms. Black and white versions are the way to go if you want to keep the scene subtle and on-trend.
Use kitchen wall tiles over a whole wall rather than just a splashback area to create a striking and practical feature wall. Metro tiles are a budget-friendly yet effective choice thanks to the brick-effect pattern they create. We love how this gorgeous forest green tiled wall adds rich depth, colour and character to a fresh white kitchen.
Introduce a calm and relaxing statement wall with a soothing blue full wall mural. Flowing brushstrokes evoke an indigo oceanic scene that looks coastal calm and refreshing teamed with chalky white walls and natural wood furniture.
Loved this? Amazing 3D mural wallpaper to instantly transform your space