What About A Dark Focal Wall?
I’m known for loving white or off-white walls.
For me, they’re the most soothing, uplifting, practical choice (you can read more about why I’m obsessed with white walls here and find out my favourite white paints here).
However, I get asked quite a bit, “what about using a colour for a focal wall?”
It’s a valid question, and focal walls do have their place. Bits of colour in strategic spaces add life and interest to an all-white home, and they can give you a little boost of pleasure when you come across them.
But choose wisely where to use colour on a focal wall, and what colour to use.
Location
I recommend choosing an area where a change in paint colour won’t look too stark or overly dramatic. So NOT on one big living room wall when the rest is white, unless that wall is already a natural focal point with windows or a big fireplace or bookshelves. Good natural places for focal walls are on the end wall of a bathroom, the wall behind a bed, a small wall beneath the stairs or going down a stairwell or a small wall where you have open shelving.
Colour
Choose a neutral colour that you can live with, not a bright bold colour. Brights and bolds and patterns belong on smaller accessories like pillows, curtains and rugs. Stick with neutrals like black, slate, muted greens and dark blues and greys for focal walls.
Check out these amazing examples of dark and muted focal walls done right. Then, if you’re looking for a little change, have fun painting!
Dark stairwell via Design Sponge
Dark focal wall in dining room by Cynthia Harper
Dark shiplap wall behind bed by Restoring Home
Dark green focal wall in bathroom via Architectural Digest
Dark office focal wall by MaryCasaChic
Dark focal fireplace wall via Est
Dark paint under stairwell by MaryCasaChic
Small painted focal wall behind open shelving
