Trying to add a special wow factor to a certain room but not quite sure what it needs? An accent wall might be just what it needs! Creating your own accent wall can be much easier than you think. The one that we created in my son Wesley’s nautical-themed bedroom really makes everything POP!
You might be surprised to know that all you need to create an accent wall is some nice quality wallpaper. The wallpaper that we used in my son’s room is SO easy to use. It is basically a peel and stick contact paper. You can put it over paint or over existing wallpaper, which is exactly what I did.
(Wesley’s room had a horrible green swirly wallpaper…Yuck!)
Working with this wallpaper took some getting used to…but thankfully it pulls up really easily and I could re-apply it. After applying the first strip, I got the hang of it pretty quickly. Anything is easier than ripping off old wallpaper, sanding and repainting — IMO.
How to measure your room to ensure you have enough wallpaper
The wall in his bedroom is not huge, but it did take a surprising FOUR ROLLS to complete one wall in his bedroom. I was really surprised and originally thought it would only take one or two rolls. His bedroom is about 10×12 feet. Obviously I didn’t measure beforehand, or else I would have figured that out up front. Oops!
Measuring your wall correctly is obviously an important step in ensuring that you have enough wallpaper to complete your accent wall. Here’s how to save yourself from not ordering enough…
- Measure the height of the wall
Using a measuring tape, measure the height of the wall from floor to ceiling. Be sure to measure in several spots to account for any variations in the wall height.
- Measure the width of the wall
Using a measuring tape, measure the width of the wall from one end to the other. Again, measure in several spots to account for any variations in the wall width.
- Calculate the total square footage
To calculate the total square footage of the wall, multiply the height of the wall by the width of the wall. For example, if your wall is 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, the total square footage would be 80 square feet (8 feet x 10 feet = 80 square feet).
- Account for any windows or doors
If your wall has windows or doors, subtract their square footage from the total square footage you calculated in step 3. To do this, measure the height and width of each window or door and multiply them together to get the square footage. Then, subtract that amount from the total square footage.
- Add a little extra
It’s always a good idea to order a little extra wallpaper to account for any mistakes or unexpected issues that might arise during installation. Adding an extra 10% to 15% to your total square footage should be enough to ensure you have enough wallpaper to complete your accent wall.
Using these steps, you can ensure that you order the right amount of wallpaper for your project and avoid any unexpected delays from waiting on more.
About the Peel-and-Stick Driftwood Wallpaper
The brand is called Devine Color and they have many different colors/styles. The driftwood style that we used is textured so it has a nice feel and was pretty affordable. It creates a natural, weathered look that adds a sense of warmth and character. The subtle, neutral tones of the wallpaper can also complement a variety of color schemes. I really love how this DIY driftwood accent wall looks and feels.
If you wanted to splurge for a really luxe look, you could use actual wood paneling such as tongue-and-groove paneling, or something more modern like a shiplap.
If you liked these tips, you might also like this post: Coastal Interior Design: Tips for Creating a Relaxing Florida Beach Retreat