Beyond the TV: the accent wall patterns worth stealing

By the Editors · October 15, 2026

An accent wall doesn't need a TV. It is one wall finished differently from the rest of the room: behind a bed, at the end of a hall, in an entry or a dining room.

Trim patterns

Board and batten puts vertical strips over a flat panel. Picture-frame molding sets rectangles of trim on the wall. Grid panels divide the wall into squares, and geometric or chevron layouts use angled trim for a bolder effect. Painted one color, the pattern shows up as shadow.

Slats and fluting

Wood slats on felt backing and fluted panels add vertical rhythm and can soften echo in hard-floored rooms.

Board walls and texture

Horizontal nickel-gap boards draw long lines across a room. Grasscloth, limewash and plaster add texture without depth. Stone and tile work well on a bar or fireplace wall.

Color

Saturated colors such as sage, charcoal or deep blue on a trim pattern are common in bedrooms. White on white is quieter and suits coastal rooms.

Which wall?

Usually the one you face as you enter, or the one behind the main piece of furniture. Walls interrupted by several doors and windows need the pattern planned around the openings.

When an accent treatment continues up onto the ceiling, it becomes a ceiling question too; the painted ceiling designs page picks up from there. Examples of finished walls are on Trim My Crib’s accent wall page.