Joanna Gaines Shares The Perfect Formula For Creating A Sweet And Simple Accent Wall

When most people think of the term "accent wall", much of what comes to mind are bright colors, bold patterns, and an intentional dissonance from the surrounding room. But there is plenty of inspo out there for accent walls for the wallpaper-averse. If you are someone that prefers a more subtle or neutral palette, you don't have to throw your personal style to the wind in order to take part in this trend. Joanna Gaines, star of HGTV's beloved home renovation series "Fixer Upper," is known for her understated designs and classic color choices. But does Gaines shy away from the accent wall? Not at all. Instead, she uses a muted color palette and varying textures to bring warmth and depth to the room without resorting to an exaggerated statement wall. 

Specifically in Episode 17 of Season 3, Gaines uses a combination of white shiplap on the bottom half and a light grey paint above to bring a cozy, cottage-y feel to a previously bland bedroom. What is particularly great about this design choice is that it adds some visual interest without trapping your decor with a specific color. Not only is this a good option for anyone that likes to change up their bedroom decor seasonally, but neutral colors are also pretty universally attractive to home buyers, as it likely already matches their current furnishings so repainting becomes more of a luxury than necessity.

Shiplap is now almost synonymous with Joanna Gaines' design style, as it has been her go-to for giving a room a rustic makeover with little effort. If you want to create a "Fixer Upper"-inspired accent wall in your own home, the most common methods of installation are using glue or nails. If you have a particularly uneven wall, you may wish to use furring strips, which bring the shiplap away from the wall so that it is able to lay evenly. Though it is recommended that you use a nail gun as it is more efficient, it is completely possible to complete this task using just a hammer and nails. Even though it creates quite a significant change in a room, this is very DIY-friendly, even for those that don't have a ton of experience. 

While Gaines stuck with a neutral gray for her top color, the beauty of this hack is that you can truly make it whatever you want it to be. If you do want your accent wall to make a bit more of a statement, this also works great with wallpaper on the top portion, as it is a way to add in some visual texture without committing to slathering it on a whole wall. Overall, creating a DIY accent wall is a great way to transform your space.