Interior trends may come and go, but the desire to add personality and interest to our homes never really fades. Feature walls have long been a go-to design trick for doing exactly that, yet in recent years, their popularity has been questioned as interiors have leaned towards more minimalism.
It’s no surprise that many homeowners are now wondering: are feature walls out of fashion? The answer, as with most design questions, isn’t a simple yes or no. While the era of randomly painted accent walls may be behind us, feature walls themselves are far from obsolete. Instead, they’ve evolved into something more intentional and far more considered.
As the ideas ahead show, when done with purpose, one well-designed wall still has the power to transform an entire space.
1. Timber-clad walls are a classic choice that suit all manner of homes
"Feature walls are far from out of fashion – they’ve simply evolved," explains Adam Robertson, managing director at Urbane Living. "Today’s approach is less about bold paint colours and more about introducing depth, texture and natural materials."
"Timber wall panelling is a perfect example of this shift," Adam says. "It brings warmth and a tactile quality to interiors while feeling timeless rather than trend-led. The key is to choose natural finishes and subtle three-dimensional surfaces, such as fluted or ribbed designs, which catch the light beautifully and add quiet character. For longevity, keep tones neutral and integrate the panelling seamlessly across walls, doors or joinery so it feels architectural rather than decorative."
Adam Robertson is the co-founder and managing director of Urbane Living, a specialist flooring company recognised for its expertise in parquet, bespoke carpets and runners. With a background in design and a strong eye for detail, Adam is passionate about all things related to quality timber, from floorboards to wall panels.
2. Go for a textured feature wall with timber detailing
If classic wall panelling feels a little too formal for your taste, horizontal wooden slats offer a more relaxed, tactile alternative. Designs like these 3D interlocking tiles by Naturewall add texture in a way that feels organic rather than overly polished — perfect for rustic living room ideas or cosy bedrooms. Their beauty lies in their imperfection: the varied grain and mismatched patina mean the wall feels characterful and lived-in, not showroom-perfect. Even better, they’re surprisingly DIY-friendly if you’re happy to roll up your sleeves.
That said, restraint is key. Cory Powell, co-director of DBS Bathrooms, advises against overusing wood panelling, particularly in contemporary homes. “For those who enjoy the added rhythm of panels, subtle slatted, wood-effect, or textured designs should be incorporated sparingly,” he says. Used thoughtfully – behind a bedroom headboard, along a single living room wall, or even as a tactile accent in a bathroom – slatted panels can add depth while still feeling clean and design-led.
Cory Powell is the Co-Director of DBS Bathrooms, a UK-based bathroom design and renovation specialist delivering contemporary, design-led residential spaces. Appointed Director in 2018, Cory has a background rooted in the renovation and interiors sector. He regularly advises homeowners on surface finishes, layouts, textures, and materials.
3. Showcase artwork with a floor-to-ceiling gallery wall
Rather than scattering artwork throughout a room, consider bringing everything together in one intentional moment. Clustering pieces on a single wall – along a modern staircase idea or above a bed for example – creates a focal point that can feel deeply personal.
A gallery wall is also a beautiful way to tell a story. Travel photography, abstract artwork, vintage finds, and family heirlooms can sit side by side, creating a layered narrative that feels uniquely yours. If you’ve been collecting prints, photographs or artworks over the years, a floor-to-ceiling gallery wall in a living space allows each piece to shine while making an even bigger statement together.
Try mixing frame styles, finishes and sizes to help the arrangement feel relaxed and lived-in, as though it’s been built up organically over time. To keep the look from feeling chaotic, a consistent colour palette can tie everything together (such as repeated hues or a unifying frame colour). Alternatively, enjoy the process of mixing and matching frames salvaged from antique markets and charity shops to create a one-of-a-kind feature wall idea.
This gallery wall frame set comes with layout templates and instructions to help you create a stylish and visually balanced display for your wall space.
4. Use a curated art collection to create a unique feature wall
A gallery wall doesn’t have to be loud to make an impact; sometimes structure and restraint are what make it memorable. So, if maximalism isn’t your thing, a more restrained approach could work nicely.
This setup is ideal for bedrooms or home office ideas, where you don’t want to feel overwhelmed by artwork but still crave a little visual interest. A great way to achieve this is by keeping the layout tight and symmetrical, allowing the repetition of frames to do the heavy lifting. In the space shown here – designed by Mind The Gap – a grid of botanical bird prints creates an ordered focal point that feels curated rather than cluttered.
Even though the prints are layered over a patterned wallpaper, by sticking to a consistent frame style and colour palette, the artwork reads as a single design moment rather than multiple competing pieces.
5. Choose a bold bedroom wallpaper that makes a big impact
Jamie Watkins, co-founder of Divine Savages, says customers often come to the brand looking for bold bedroom wallpaper ideas to create a feature wall – something he’s a big advocate for. “Wallpaper is a great way of adding a big dose of colour and pattern, and with a bold design you can create a really striking focal point whilst also telling a playful, pictorial story,” he explains.
“An accent wall is the perfect opportunity to have fun and embrace bold pattern and print,” Jamie adds. “And as it’s just one wall, you’ll only need a couple of rolls to make that big statement, so it’s definitely the place to splash out, spend a little more, and have a bit of fun rather than scrimp on style.”
For a boutique-hotel feel, Jamie recommends wallpapering the wall behind the bed to create a natural focal point. “This helps to make the bed the centrepiece of the room,” he says. To achieve a luxurious, rich look, he suggests opting for mural-style wallpapers in deep emerald or forest green tones. “For a colour-drenched effect, extend the wallpaper theme with luxurious velvet bedding and curtains in a complementary shade to add depth and cohesion.”
Jamie Watkins is Co-Founder of Divine Savages, the British design studio known for bold, eclectic wallpapers, fabrics and home accessories inspired by history, culture and nature, founded with husband Tom Kennedy.
Shop mural-style wallpapers for your feature wall
This whimsical wallpaper from Mind The Gap's 'Curator's Collection' features the sprawling gardens of Rajasthan in vivid colour – perfect for adorning a feature hallway wall.
Part of Divine Savage's Rewilding collection, this painterly design is printed in England on eco-wallpaper and is also available on bespoke grasscloth at £155 per metre.
This atmospheric wallpaper from Victoria Sanders Design features a hand-painted landscape of birds, mountains and foliage set against an inky indigo ground.
6. Wallpaper a chimney breast to make it pop
An elegant way to include a feature wall without overwhelming a space is to introduce colour via the chimney breast, particularly in period homes where architectural features already take centre stage. As Jamie Watkins from Divine Savages explains, “Wallpapering a chimney breast is another stylish way of introducing an accent wall. In period properties, the right pattern can really enhance the fireplace ideas as well as those of the cornicing and skirting.”
The bright yellow chimney breast designed by Woodhouse & Law shows just how effective this approach can be. Creative director John Law explains the bold choice: “This moiré silk by Dedar was the perfect choice for a feature wall, adding a sense of playfulness to a grand Georgian drawing room. The vibrant hue creates a confident contrast with the original fireplace, while its depth of colour holds its own alongside teal velvet and abstract Pierre Frey cushions."
John worked in the advertising and design industries in London for six years before retraining as an interior designer and qualifying with distinction from the highly regarded Ivy House Design School. John has managed and worked across a range of successful high end residential and commercial projects.
7. Find your 'theme' and lean into it with your feature wall
Finding a theme and leaning into it can be one of the best ways to approach a feature wall. In this space, a nautical-inspired wallpaper by Mind The Gap sets the tone, with its flowing, wave-like pattern echoed throughout the room in both colour and detail.
From the framed maritime maps to the model sailboat and ocean-themed upholstery, every element feels connected, allowing the feature wall to become part of a wider design story.
8. Fill a feature wall with a statement mural design
Immersive and instantly eye-catching, mural designs have a way of turning blank walls into something far more special. In this room, the architectural scene adds a sense of escapism, making the space feel worlds away from a typical loft conversion bedroom and far more like a destination in its own right.
Used on a single wall, murals are a playful yet considered way to introduce personality. The trick is to let the design do the talking. Keep furniture, bedding and accessories pared back so the mural can shine without overwhelming the room. Done right, it’s a statement that feels confident and effortlessly stylish.
9. Try colour capping for a softer statement wall
If you’ve fallen for a bold, statement wallpaper but feel a little unsure about how to use it without overwhelming your living room, colour capping offers the perfect solution. This emerging paint trend helps soften the impact of busy patterns.
“Colour capping builds a gentle gradient using tones from the same colour family, drawing the eye upward and intensifying towards the ceiling,” explains Jamie Watkins from Divine Savages. “One of the most effective ways to achieve this look is by wallpapering up to the picture rail, then painting above it in the same colour as the ceiling.”
The trick to making it feel truly cohesive? Pull a single accent shade from your wallpaper and use it for the painted section above.
10. Go bold with your feature wall paint choices
So far, we’ve steered clear of cracking open a tin of paint, but sometimes the simplest solution really is the most effective. You can’t go wrong with a confident pop of colour, and a boldly painted wall remains one of the quickest ways to inject personality into a space. From electric blues and sugary bubble-gum pinks to rich cherry reds, a single saturated shade can completely transform the mood of a room.
The space shown here proves just how impactful colour can be when used with intention. The deep cobalt wall creates a striking backdrop for artwork and furniture. When in doubt, let colour do the heavy lifting. Choose one bold shade and allow it to anchor the room, keeping surrounding walls neutral so the feature feels deliberate rather than dominant.
Annie Sloan's 'Napoleonic Blue' is a cobalt blue wall paint inspired by the ultramarine colour found in decorative work in everything from neoclassical interiors through to modern 20th Century decoration.
11. Bring back 1970s style with tactile plaster finishes
Textured walls are enjoying a quiet comeback, with plaster-inspired finishes leading the way. Channeling the relaxed, tactile feel of 1970s interiors, plastercraft-style walls add interest without relying on bold colour or pattern.
In this bathroom, Ca’ Pietra tiles are designed to replicate traditional plasterwork, offering an artisanal look with a more practical finish. Warm, earthy tones nod to retro design, while clean lines keep the space feeling decidedly modern. Paired with vintage-inspired furnishings and patterned bathroom flooring, the result shows how texture-led feature walls can feel both nostalgic and effortlessly contemporary.
These mid-century chic textured wall tiles are perfect for creating a stylish feature wall that brings authentic vintage character to contemporary interiors.
12. Make a case for tiles on your living room feature wall
Tiles in a living room might not be the most obvious choice, but this gorgeous accent wall by Benjamin Moore proves just how effective they can be when used thoughtfully. Glossy tiles form a striking backdrop to the seating area, amplifying warm tones and giving the space a layered, design-led feel.
“Used as a feature wall, tiles can instantly transform a room, creating a focal point that adds depth, texture and personality,” says Jamie Robb, creative director at Marlborough Tiles. “Their beauty lies in their versatility. From the rich tones of hand glazed ceramics to the bold impact of hand-painted designs, a tiled wall introduces colour, contrast and visual interest in a way paint or wallpaper cannot match.”
Whether you're tiling behind a log burner, a seating area, or even behind a bed, Jamie says that “a carefully chosen tile installation brings character and definition to any space”.
Jamie Robb is Creative Director at Marlborough Tiles, leading the third-generation British craft brand with a passion for artisan glazing, heritage design and richly coloured, hand-painted tiles rooted in timeless craftsmanship.
13. Turn bathrooms into a statement with tile wall murals
Bathrooms and shower rooms are some of the most rewarding spaces to experiment with a feature wall, and a tile mural is a beautiful way to do just that. As this space by Ca' Pietra shows, a decorative tile design can turn even the most functional shower room ideas into something special
When it comes to buying tiles for bathrooms, mural-style designs strike the perfect balance between durability and visual impact. Extending the pattern across both walls and floors helps the space feel immersive and thoughtfully designed, while surrounding it with simpler tiles keeps the look grounded.
14. Let colour and texture do the talking on an accent wall
When a room is meant to feel uplifting and expressive, colour and texture can work harder than pattern alone. In this space, the feature wall doesn't dominate the room, but it does pull everything together.
“Our clients wanted a space that was vibrant and inspiring,” explains John Law from Woodhouse & Law. “We loved the vivid colour in the botanical grasscloth by Zimmer and Rohde. Used as a feature, the wallpaper helps tie together the whole scheme and imbues a sense of fun at the same time.”
Sold on the idea of a wallpaper mural or accent wall? Brush up on how to wallpaper so you can get a smooth, picture-perfect finish every time.
