Top 10 feature wall ideas

By Kristie Castagna

There has been some debate lately about the use of ‘feature walls’ and if we should be considering treating the entire room to the feature and not just one lonely wall. A bit of a designer “go hard or go home” type attitude or what I like to call full design commitment.

Personally, as a designer I have always used features as a way of giving clients a little bit of a gentle shove into those design ideas they never thought they would have previously considered. So I am not sure I could let go of the single feature wall for my clients’ sake, as many of them, like many of you, are still to dip their toes in the wallpaper, bright colour or alternative wall covering type options.

With all that being said, I thought I would bring to you my top 10 favorite feature wall ideas:

1 Paint is the safest first step. The mantra “it’s only paint” is all you need to start your venture. Choose a wall and take a leap of faith. If you’re a little more adventurous, make your paint work for you in a more creative way; a swirl, large stripe, pattern or writing could be your next step.

2 Timber panelling is available in many versions now. Large thick boards, dark, skinny or painted boards, they are all worthy of your investment. A perfect addition to concrete or tiled floors to add depth and warmth.

3 Walls of rocks, stacked or placed carefully, are another natural addition making their way into many more homes. Bringing the outside in and inside out is making this trend more affordable and reminding people to mix their elements indoors.

4 Graffiti is a personal favorite of mine. I think street art is a great way of adding a more organic, self taught, edgy punch of colour to your home. No two styles are the same and every one of them tells a very raw backstory.

5 Shelving is the perfect combination of storage cross artistic feature wall. A place for things that need a home and storage for things that make a home. Some great simple wall shelves can be bought at Ikea or get your favorite laminate or timber and make your own to suit your home.

6 Wallpaper is a classic feature option. Now more than ever you will find one that suits you and your home’s personality. With full wall murals, pattern, painted, bespoke or textured papers there has never been a better time to check out your local wallpaper showroom.

7 Stone slabs are a higher end finish but the effect is simply stunning. It’s not a look for everyone but no matter what your style, this feature wall will have your appreciating the beauty of nature’s stone.

8 Laminate is a product many of us forget to consider as a feature on our walls. There are some beautiful textured or patterned laminate panels that your cabinet maker could make a shallow but large wall box with and mount as a simple block of colour to work back with your already installed cabinetry.

9 Concrete is a stunning way of adding an industrial, loft-like feel to your walls. Great to give you an open contemporary look and works well with the addition of timber.

10 Green walls, or vertical gardens, are one of the best additions to apartment living. Create an instant garden in small space, with added great health benefits.

Kristie Castagna is a Perth-based interior designer and blogger at Elements at Home.

Jen is currently on honeymoon in Tokyo, Venice and the UK, and has opened up the blog to a series of fabulous guest posters to share their interiors-related expertise in her absence. She hopes you’ll enjoy them and look out for the odd honeymoon post from overseas! The new Mrs Francis (who will still be known as Bishop for work purposes) will be back at her desk on 11 November.