Since the living room is where we spend most of our time when we’re at home, where we gather with family and entertain guests, it’s usually the space that we pay the most attention to when decorating. And creating a focal point that will draw the eye and impress anyone that walks through the door is (or at least should be) high on the priority – that’s exactly what living room feature wall ideas are for.
If you thought that this living room idea has been dismissed as outdated or passé, then think again. The style of feature walls has only evolved into something more sophisticated and elevated.
‘Living room feature walls are still fashionable, but their style has evolved over time to reflect modern trends,’ says Chelsea Clark, head of marketing at I Love Wallpaper. ‘To keep a feature wall looking up to date, opt for subtle, sophisticated designs that complement the rest of the space.’
While in the past popular feature wall ideas were often bold and starkly contrasting to the rest of the space, now they are more pared back. But that doesn’t stop them from creating a statement that will visually anchor the room and provide a level of wow factor that every lounge needs.
Living room feature wall ideas
Whether it’s the wall with your TV on it or the one that bears the fireplace, most living rooms will have that one wall that naturally draws attention to itself. So it only makes sense to enhance it and make it look its best.
‘The execution of living room feature walls has evolved,’ says Vicky Yardley, founder of eco paint company Victory Colours. ‘Instead of bold, contrasting colours that were popular in the past, modern feature walls focus on texture, subtle colour shifts, and materiality. The key is to ensure that the feature wall complements the overall design without overpowering it.’
And there are a number of ways to go about that.
1. Choose a paint colour that complements the room
Using paint to make your living room feature wall pop is one of the easiest and most popular ways to approach this. But while in the past, bold and bright paint ideas were the way to go, these days, it’s more about choosing a shade that complements the rest of the room’s decor and the living room colour scheme.
‘When choosing paint colours for a feature wall, you want to choose tones that align with the style of the rest of the space,’ Chelsea at I Love Wallpaper says.
Vicky at Victory Colours continues, ‘The best paint colours for a living room feature wall depend on the desired mood and the room’s existing palette. But some are more popular than others. Deep blues or charcoal are popular because they can add depth and sophistication without being too bold. Soft earthy tones, like terracotta, olive and taupe bring warmth and cosiness, especially in natural light, while muted jewel tones, like emerald, sapphire and burgundy add a touch of luxury and can make the space feel more intimate.’
2. Bring the outside in with botanicals
Biophilic design ideas started gaining in popularity during the Covid lockdowns as many craved the outdoors when there was no direct access to it. But lockdown or not, bringing the outside into our homes increases our wellbeing – that’s exactly why the much popular Scandinavian living room ideas are filled with nature references. And living room feature walls present the ideal opportunity to incorporate a reference to the natural world, whether it’s through a floral wallpaper or a mural of forest scenery.
‘Botanical prints are a great option as they bring a touch of nature indoors, creating a calming and refreshing ambiance,’ Chelsea at I Love Wallpaper says.
Wisteria is one of the most popular flowering plants, gracing many a garden and house front in the country. But why not carry the beautiful wisteria inside with this Farrow & Ball wallpaper? The design is available in several colour renditions - but we love this pared-back colourway which is a modern take on the motif.
Forest and nature-inspired sceneries have been increasingly more popular as a mural design. And we can see the appeal of turning a living room feature wall into an enchanted forest scene, especially if it's as pretty and whimsical as this Graham & Brown design.
Botanical motifs are very versatile and don't just include pretty flowers. In fact, a leafy motif like this willow wallpaper design will surely create a serene and calming ambiance in your lounge.
3. Cover the wall in wood panelling
Utilising some of the many wall panelling ideas and styles for your lounge feature wall is a great way to bring more depth and texture into the room, preventing the space from looking flat. And there are really lots of different designs to choose from to suit your living room’s aesthetic, from modern vertical slats to traditional Jacobean-style grid.
‘Wood panelling is an excellent choice for a living room feature wall,’ says Olivia Crosher, designer and visual stylist at Naturewall. ‘It adds warmth, texture, and a sense of sophistication to the space. It also anchors the room and creates a real focal point. It can suit various styles, from rustic to modern. For instance, reclaimed wood or shiplap gives a cosy, rustic feel, while sleek, dark-stained slatwall panels can make the space feel more modern and luxurious. Wood panelling is also versatile – it can be painted, stained, or left natural, allowing for different aesthetic options.’
4. Panel over a mural for double the impact
Murals are a classic way of creating a feature wall. Few rooms can cope with a mural that continues on every wall, so it lends itself naturally to becoming more of a focal point.
But why stop at the mural? When considering how to design a living room with a mural, get double the impact by adding wall panels over the top. This will add an extra dimension to the surface and create a whole new look. For a united feel, make sure you paint the panels in a tonal shade to a secondary colour from the mural itself.
5. Opt for exposed brick
One simple living room wall decor idea is to allow natural materials to do the talking. Exposed brick is a feature wall in itself, so if your home has this in its design, then lean into it. And even if you don't already have exposed brick waiting to be made a living room feature wall, you can easily replicate the look with a stone-effect wallpaper.
'Exposed brick and stone walls make a room feel lived-in’, says Bethan Harwood, partner and home design stylist at John Lewis. 'But one can take a lot of maintenance and are difficult to update when redecorating.’ So even if you don't already have exposed brick waiting to be made a living room feature wall, or don't want the upkeep, you can easily replicate the look with a stone-effect wallpaper.
6. Choose a black and white scheme
If you can't decide on a living room colour scheme, or you just prefer a simple monochrome palette, then make a statement of black and white by focusing it on a feature wall. This way you can allow your soft furnishings to do all the talking, whether it's by incorporating mix-and-match patterns or a block colour.
A great way to make a black and white living room feature wall shine is by ensuring that the wallpaper has a textured finish. This way, it will add more dimension to the space. 'If you have a modern house, using wallpaper with a printed texture is a brilliant way of injecting some character into a room,' says fabric designer Clarissa Hulse.
If you want to create a visual impact but also want to stick to a timeless pattern then you can't go wrong with a black-and-white striped wallpaper like this design from Wallpaper Direct. We love the thicker striped motif which is less visually busy compared to skinny stripes.
A monochrome colour scheme can be applied to any kind of pattern, botanicals included. Just take this bamboo-patterned wallpaper from B&Q. And as Clarissa mentioned, opting for a textured design is always a good idea - and this design is finished with tactile embossing.
If something contemporary yet playful is what you're after then this dotted wallpaper from Graham & Brown in a black-and-white colourway is for you. And you can see how chic yet impactful a design like this looks in a room in the image above.
7. Make a bold statement
If you're willing to push the boat out decoratively, you can combine lots of different effects to make a stunning style statement. There's no need to choose between living room wallpaper ideas, paint and panelling - combine them all for a maximalist feature style.
To stop things going overboard, do restrict yourself to a limited colour palette, otherwise the space can quickly become overwhelming.
8. Add a wall of mirrors
A selection of mirrors does more than the average living room feature wall ideas might. As well as adding interest to the space, including a living room mirror idea will boost light levels and make the area seem larger. This makes it ideal for small living room ideas, and darker snug-like spaces in a home.
Play with sizes of mirrors to keep things electric, but try and stick to one common shape to keep things cohesive.
9. Tile your chimney breast
'Although there are no set rules when it comes to choosing a feature wall, it's worth looking for architectural clues, like fireplaces,' suggests Michele Rodriguez-Wise, co-founder of L'una Design. 'As these will typically indicate the focal point of the living room.'
A floor to ceiling chimney breast is a dream location for your feature wall. For modern living room ideas, set down the wallpaper and get tiling. Glazed options work especially well as they'll bounce sunlight around and gently reflected candlelight in the evenings.
10. Use a large scale wall hanging
If you're renting, or are just looking for living room feature wall ideas which don't involve as much commitment as others, then a wall hanging is the way to go. Choose a print, pattern or mural-esque design depending on your personal tastes.
You can, of course, buy hangings, but they're also one of the more easy DIY projects out there.
11. Paint a stylish mural
‘Today’s feature wall can take many forms, shapes, textures, patterns and materials,' explains Justyna Korczynska, colour consultant at Crown. ’Using paint is still one of the quickest and easiest ways to create a feature wall.'
'If you find you have various paints lying around unused but are not sure how to use all of them, consider creating a feature wall by painting a mural,' adds Emma Bestley, creative director and co-founder of YesColours. 'Most would assume they’d need to have an artistic flair, but that isn’t the case.'
'There are no rules when it comes to murals for living room paint ideas, you can make it as abstract as you like,' continues Emma. 'Start by painting in small sections and building it out as you find your preferred shapes.'
12. Co-ordinate feature wallpaper with your paint
Love the idea of a wallpapered feature wall but worried it may overpower your room? Dilute the look ever-so-slightly by framing the paper alongside plain painted walls. Choose a shade that features within the wallpaper pattern for a coordinated effect.
13. Build out your chimney breast for a whole new look
A clever way to conceal an unused chimney breast is to build it out and transform it from fireplace ideas into living room feature wall ideas. Extend the chimney breast either side to create a false feature that includes clever shelf cubby storage. Adding panelling to the newly extended wall makes an instant feature of this new area.
'Panelling is an easy way to add texture, depth and interest to the walls,' says Mariana Ugarte, co-founder of Interior Fox. 'Great for all types of properties, especially new builds as it helps to add character and interest when architectural features are minimal. This technique is ideal for small rooms when used vertically, as it makes the walls appear taller.'
14. Play with paint effects
Give a featureless wall some decorative detail with a simple colour-block treatment. Keep to two colours of a similar tone for a subtle, understated look. Divide your blocks using the colour that covers the rest of the walls in the room, for a cohesive link to the space at large.
'Paint effects have moved on from ombre or patterned walls to colour blocking and mimicking traditional dado and picture rails,' explains Bethan from John Lewis.
'Colour blocking is a great way to highlight – or feature – areas of the room, such as a cosy corner or framing a sofa area. You can be creative as often it’s just a smaller area of paint. Try injecting splashes of yellow or taking the colour blocking from the feature wall, up and over the ceiling.’
15. Put up a picture gallery
Why not fill empty wall space behind a sofa with gallery wall ideas?
'If you're looking to hang works and prints in different sizes and frames, then it's best to group them together,' recommends Helen Armon-Jones, founder of The Art Buyer. 'Plan your gallery wall or grouping of artworks together at the earliest stage by laying your works out on the floor.'
'Once you've found an arrangement or grouping that works well together, then measure up your wall and use decorators tape to plot your arrangement out on the wall before you start making holes. This will also allow you to make any tweaks necessary and ensure you create a grouping or gallery wall that is balanced and works well.'
'If an eclectic and vibrant feel is what you're after, then be sure to mix mediums and opt for unmatched frames for a fun and bold look. For a more calming and contemporary take, then use the same frame throughout and pay particular attention to the spacing.'
16. Give panelling a modern twist
Add architectural detail to a plain space by installing a timber panelling over one wall. Paint woodwork a flat, matt eggshell finish, continuing the colour on skirting, architrave and doors to create a rich immersive feel throughout.
Break up dark tones by adding statement artwork. One oversized canvas or large framed print will add more impact than several smaller pieces.
17. Line a wall with floating shelves
Combine a feature wall with smart living room storage ideas. A stack of floating shelves run wall-to-wall will give an abundance of display space for artwork, picture frames, books and decorative pieces.
'Incorporating shelves in open areas and bare walls ensure you are making the most of empty spaces,' notes Mariana from Interior Fox. 'Floating shelves or a tall bookshelf that extends to the ceiling will provide ample amounts of storage and a place to showcase decorative items. This is where you can add real depth and interest to your living room.'
18. Two-tone your wall
Get a hit of bolder colour without committing to a whole room redo by trying a half-and-half paint treatment on a feature wall. A bight colour on the lower half will add impact and provide a cool way of decorating the wall behind the sofa.
For a considered approach, ensure the top half is painted in the same colour as the other walls in the room.
19. Be inspired by a living wall
Revitalise a tired living room by adding an indoor living wall. Houseplants and greenery not only add colour but can boost air quality and well-being too. Just choose ferns and succulents for this type of living room feature wall ideas as they don’t require frequent watering.
Use the wall behind a sofa or a sideboard for your display. Pocket planters that are attached to the wall on brackets make a great alternative living room wall decor ideas solution and will be beneficial to your wellbeing.
20. Supersize the scale
Supersize a favourite floral print and repeat it on a floor-to-ceiling mural to create living room feature wall ideas with a serious wow factor. You can also buy ready-made wall murals, or just paste a panel of a large-scale wallpaper. Explore some options that offer home furnishing discounts so you don't have to invest so much that you feel wedded to the look forever.
Paint adjoining walls in the same dark background colour to make your feature wall really zing.
21. Create an easy-change gallery wall
Line a living room wall with narrow picture ledges that can be filled with favourite prints or framed family photographs. Shelves are not only one of the budget living room ideas but are super-easy to rearrange if you have new additions or simply fancy a change at a later date.
Paint shelves to match your living room feature wall ideas for a chic look - it’ll make art work stand out more. Add further interest by layering in a few small ornaments here and there to fill in any gaps between pictures.
FAQs
Which wall should be a feature wall in a living room?
Settling on which wall should be your living room feature wall should be an almost intuitive process.
'Choosing a feature wall involves selecting the wall that naturally draws attention or can become a focal point with the right treatment,' says Hannah Swift, head of creative design at Beautiful Walls. 'Typically, the feature wall should be the one that catches the eye as you enter the room, such as the wall behind the sofa, the TV, or the fireplace.'
'Consider the room’s layout, the existing architectural elements, and how you want to use the space. The feature wall should highlight the room’s best attributes and create a visual anchor for the overall design.'
What do you put on a feature wall?
'There are many good living room feature wall ideas that can be really effective and help finish the design scheme in the room,' says Samantha Wilson, interior designer and founder of Collection Noir. 'A gallery style layout for art works, prints and photographs will add an element of fun and bring colour to the room whilst allowing you to show off your personality. You can be as bold and daring or as minimalist as you like with the art you choose to hang.'
'Similarly, you could introduce a bold patterned wall covering or wall mural which will make a real statement. This can then be layered with art and wall lights to add depth and warmth to the space.
'Wall panelling is another great option as it'll create a chic and timeless look, whilst adding character to the space. You can then play with colour and keep it light and airy with warm neutrals and greys, or add drama with a deep blue or green shade. '
So don’t dismiss living room feature walls as out-of-date decor style – it’s anything but that as long as you work with the rest of the room and focus on enhancing it with this decorative feature.
