Add A Touch Of Sophistication By Upgrading Your Accent Wall

Over the past few years in the world of fashion, bold logos and flashy branding have gradually been replaced by more refined elegance; that shift is also happening in interior design. Designers and homeowners are starting to distance themselves from trendy decor and instead are seeking ways to add a touch of quiet sophistication in their spaces. One area where this quiet sophistication is making a huge impact? Accent walls. Not only can a well-designed accent wall be the anchor piece of a space, it can also impress your guests by bringing a strong sense of intention to the feel of the room. 

To understand how to bring this sense of modern elegance into your home, House Digest spoke with interior designer and founder of award-winning Arsight Studio, Artem Kropovinsky. The award-winning designer exclusively gave us some big insider tips and secrets on how to upgrade your accent wall to achieve a timeless and polished look, including the most common mistakes that can cheapen the overall look and the best materials and textures to use. For example, incorporating wood accent walls can add some warmth to your room.

In our exclusive interview with Artem Kropovinsky, the designer defined modern elegance as "a mix of timeless sophistication, clean lines, and contemporary approach — it combines luxurious materials and texture with minimalism and some sense of restraint." With the words of our expert in mind, it's important to understand that achieving modern elegance in a space is not about busy designs and loud statement pieces. Rather, you want to focus on subtlety and simplicity to ensure that each element is serving a purpose without overwhelming the space.

For instance, our expert says fluted panels or wood slats are excellent options to transform your accent wall into a modern, elegant one. He added, "Natural oak or dark-stained tones can create warmth and maintain the sleek profile." If you're wanting to try something subtle with a touch of boldness, Kropovinsky suggests marble or stone panels; "think of subtle veining behind a fireplace or in a dining area to make a refined statement." Want to soften a room? Our expert says to opt for upholstered panels or fabric-wrapped walls in materials such as linen and velvet to "add tactile touch and soften the room."

Our expert interior designer, Artem Kropovinsky, exclusively told us "to design a modern, elegant [accent] wall, think of complementing, not competing. Keep the walls and furnishings neutral [in] tone to let the accent wall shine." But he doesn't mean literally shine. Kropovinsky warns against using anything with glossy finishes, such as shiny and synthetic surfaces. These can look outdated and even cheap, which is the last thing you want for a modern, elegant accent wall. In addition, graphic prints and busy wallpaper patterns can overpower a space and distract from the overall feel.

Another mistake to avoid is visual clutter, which can be created by adding too many decorative pieces next to the accent wall. This can make it feel like the decorative elements are competing for attention with it; as much effort as you've put forth on creating your accent wall, you want its texture and design to be the star of the room. Our expert emphasizes the importance of "curated details, muted colors, and sculptural simplicity" when it comes to creating a modern, elegant accent wall. Just don't put it in the wrong room.