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What is a Wall Accent?

Susan Grindstaff
Susan Grindstaff

A wall accent could be any type of decoration that acts to draw attention to a specific wall. A wall accent could be a painting, a photograph, or a wall hanging. Another type of wall decor is the wall mural, which can either be painted directly on the wall or applied as wallpaper. In most cases, using wall accents gives homeowners a way to make individualized design statements.

Paintings and prints are one of the most common types of wall accent. They can be hung in groups, but larger pieces are often hung alone. To achieve the best results with a print or painting, it is necessary that they be framed in a way that best accents both the painting and the room. There are thousands of types of picture frames, designed to complement most any type of decor.

Woman posing
Woman posing

Fabric wall hangings are another way to accent a bare wall. They are available in several different sizes, but are usually either quilted or woven. Quilted wall hangings typically feature a single design in the center of the piece, with border colors around the edges. Woven pieces are usually tapestries that have a picture or design that is woven with fabric. Fabric wall hangings have rods that pass through the back at the top of the pieces, and the rods are attached to the wall using hangars.

Other popular types of wall hangings are bamboo and rattan screen prints. These are strips of flattened bamboo or rattan that are strung together to form a background. The background is then painted with pictures or symbols. These pieces work particularly well in rooms with Eastern or bohemian décors. They are usually hung like pictures, with a single attachment in the middle.

A photograph can be an inexpensive and interesting way to create a wall accent. Many people use their own photographs to decorate their walls. The photographs could be of anything of interest or beauty. Small photographs can be grouped together on a single wall, or can be professionally enlarged to create accents that are more dramatic. As with paintings, in most cases, the framing of the photographs is an integral part of the overall effect.

Wall murals are a single drawing or print that completely covers an entire wall. Those with artistic ability may choose to paint their own wall mural, but if that is not the case, it is usually possible to hire artists who specialize in this field. Wall murals can also be purchased through wallpaper retailers. These murals come in several different strips, that when hung together form a single large picture. Most retailers offer several different print themes to suit various different types of home décor.

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