Feature walls are an iconic element of interior design.

A decorative feature in a room or building, they are designed to draw the eye to a specific aspect or feature of the space. While the wall itself can be quite simple, it contrasts and compliments the rest of the room, drawing the eye towards your chosen feature.

Commonly when making a feature wall, you’d use different colours, textures or materials from the rest of the surroundings.

What are Feature Walls made of?

There are no hard and fast rules. The materials vary from project to project and depend on individual tastes. The can be constructed from a wide range of materials such as mirrors, tiles, wallpaper, plants and of course wood. Sometimes, you can use multiple materials in the one feature wall and wood is always a versatile, go-to solution for any room or budget.

Feature Walls and Wood Mouldings

In recent (and not so recent) times, wood mouldings have contributed to many stylish and elegant feature wall designs. Wood mouldings can give rooms and feature walls a distinctive and classy which is exceptionally durable, timeless and environmentally friendly.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with other materials, the versatility of wood mouldings along with the variety of profiles available ensure that there is a feature wall for every design style.

What are the Benefits of a Feature Wall?

Feature walls are an easy way to add interest and originality …making them an excellent choice for any room in your home. They can be used in living rooms, family rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms and even bathrooms! Feature walls have become increasingly popular over the last few years because they offer a great way to make a bold statement, without a massive amount work or expense.

If you are considering taking on a feature wall project, then you are probably familiar with the multitude of benefits they can provide. A feature wall is typically a visually stunning and attention-grabbing feature when you enter a room.

(If you’ve ever been walking in a shopping centre, then you have seen for yourself how people gravitate towards display walls & windows that are visually pleasing. It is the same principle with feature walls)

Another great benefit of feature walls – is the creativity it allows. There are so many ways to design a feature wall – it can really allow for great imagination and originality. Using decorative mouldings, PAOs or panel mouldings, to name a few – there are many different ways to approach your feature wall project.

How to Make a Feature Wall Work in Your Project?

The key to making it work properly is in the planning.

A feature wall highlights the focal point of a room, so, it’s important to determine from the outset, where is the focal point in the room?

 Is it the mantelpiece in the living room? Or above the TV? (Both good options). Or if you’re in a bedroom, it could be the wall behind the headboard of a bed.

The point is, that you must think carefully before making this strategic decision. The feature wall should orientate around the given focal point and by ignoring this rule you risk losing impact and may generate a feeling that the featured wall was thrown there without much thought.

Instead, when you plan thoughtfully; it signifies purpose, elegance and of course quality design.  Ultimately, let the room’s architecture be your guidance here.

Where not to put a Feature wall?

So, we are aiming to put a feature wall around a focal point of a room. This acts as the room’s highlight. However, if the room is too busy or crowded, then a feature wall is not the best option as your work may get lost in the noise.

Also, consider the house or building as a whole. If there is a feature wall in every room, then that may create a sense of chaos. Whereas if there’s a feature wall in just 1 or 2 rooms – they’ll be all the more memorable as a result.

So, to make your feature wall ‘pop’ – give it room to breathe, keep it simple, be sympathetic to your surroundings and you can’t go wrong.

What Woods are Best for a Feature Wall?

Choosing the right timber for the job is an important consideration. Along with moulding profile, the wood type should fit into the overall scheme of the room. Everything from budget to room type, should help determine your decision. (See here for help in choosing the right timber.)

Panel Mouldings, decorative mouldings and PAO (planned all over) or as it is also known PSE (planed square edge) come in a variety of timber types from pine and whitewood (ideal for painting) to oak. There is plenty of room for subjectivity and creativity. So go with what works best for you or your client.

Is it still fashionable to have a Feature Wall?

In our experience, absolutely! Feature walls have in fact been on the rise in recent years and making somewhat of a renaissance.

There are numerous social media spaces detailing various designs and approaches to feature walls. To check if our experience is generally in line with the Irish public – we went to Google trends.

And as you can see below, in recent years, there has been an upward trend in the interest and searches around Feature Walls. When done right, they are a very smart investment in your home.

What Colour should a feature wall be?

Again, no right or wrong answer per se. A bold colour can add great impact but if this is not for you, you can still achieve a dramatic effect by using the same colour as the rest of the room but slightly darker or lighter.

Or, if you want to go in another direction, try using a contrasting colour that is of equal hue and intensity to the rest of room.

As previously mentioned, simplicity is often the best way to approach a feature wall. For this reason, if there is a neutral colour present – use other items such as rugs, vases and cushions to create a splash of colour.

Ultimately, look at the room holistically – from the focal point to the surrounding furniture, to the style of the house, to the amount of light coming in. These will all help inform your colour decisions.

What is the difference between an accent wall and a feature wall?

There is none. They are both interchangeable terms and mean the same thing; a distinct wall in a room with a different design than the other walls present.

Final Words on Feature Walls

When designed well, feature walls make a room look spacious and neat. They can act as a great complement to the style and interior design of a room. It creates interest because it demands your attention.

For these reasons, feature walls really enhance your space in a meaningful way. And in our experience, wood mouldings are a great way to make your feature wall chic, elegant and of course memorable!

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