Feature walls remain one of the most-loved ways to transform a room with minimal effort — a single wall can completely change the look and feel of your space. From bold wallpaper prints and panel-effect designs to calming colour-drenched schemes, there are endless ways to make your walls work harder.
In this guide, we’re sharing our favourite feature wall ideas for every room, including living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. Plus, expert advice from Caroline Woolmer, Head of Product Design at I Love Wallpaper, to help you choose the perfect style for your home.
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What is a feature wall?
A feature wall is a single wall in a room that’s designed to stand out — the one that instantly catches your eye the moment you step inside. It’s a simple yet stylish way to enhance your space, adding personality, colour and texture without overwhelming the entire room.
Most feature walls are created using wallpaper, murals or paint.
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Wallpaper — Perfect if you’re looking for pattern, texture or metallic finishes that bring a luxurious, trend-led feel to your home.
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Murals — These large-scale printed designs often feature artwork, landscapes or scenic imagery, and are ideal for creating a strong visual focus.
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Paint — It’s a quick and easy way to introduce colour or zone different areas in open-plan spaces.
You can create a feature wall in almost any room, but it works best on a wall that naturally draws the eye. Popular choices include behind the bed, behind the sofa, in dining areas or hallways to add character, as well as around fireplaces and alcoves to highlight architectural features.
Feature wall ideas for any room
If you're looking to give your space an instant lift, a feature wall is one of the easiest ways to do it. Whether you love bold patterns, calming neutrals or something with a little more texture, here are some stylish ideas to help you create a feature wall that truly stands out against the rest.
Create a full panelled feature wall
“Panelled walls are having a real moment right now, yet they remain a classic design choice that truly stands the test of time,” explains Caroline. “There are so many styles of panel-effect wallpaper to choose from — from traditional shaker-style designs to sleek contemporary slatted panels — making it easy to tailor the look to your home. And using panel wallpaper to achieve the look is far more affordable and much easier to install than real wood panelling.”
“A full vertical panel wall will naturally draw the eye upward, giving the illusion of added height and openness. It’s a technique designers use to add depth and balance to a room without relying on bold colour or pattern, creating a refined, elegantly structured space with very little effort.”
Choose a bold mural
A mural is the perfect choice if you want to make a real style statement. Because it’s limited to one feature wall, you can afford to go much bolder with colour, pattern or scale than you might elsewhere in the room.
Beautiful marbled designs, dramatic botanical prints and artistic, hand-painted styles all make stunning mural choices. They work especially well in children’s bedrooms and playrooms as an easy way to bring in playful colour and imagination.
A rustic brick feature wall
“Brick feature walls are a fantastic way to bring an industrial edge into your home,” says Caroline. “Brick-effect wallpaper is far easier to install, more affordable, and gives you all the texture and character of exposed brick instantly.”
“It’s an excellent kitchen feature wall idea, especially when combined with matte black pendant lighting, warm metallic fixtures like brushed brass, or open shelving to enhance that raw, urban feel.”
Create height and structure with a striped feature wall
A striped wallpaper feature wall can help shape the look and feel of a room. Vertical stripes draw the eye upward, creating the illusion of added height, while horizontal stripes can visually widen a space — a technique often used by interior designers to correct awkward proportions.
Subtle pinstripes offer a refined, tailored look, whereas broader stripes make a bolder style statement. Whether you choose soft neutrals or contrast-led colours, a striped feature wall introduces structure, rhythm and balance, making it an ideal choice for both modern and traditional interiors.
Add a painted feature wall
Signal Red Washable Matt Emulsion Paint
A single painted feature wall is a simple yet effective way to shift the mood of a room. Designers often use this technique to add depth, zone open-plan layouts or introduce a bold accent colour without overwhelming the space.
Darker shades, such as forest green, burgundy, or navy, create instant drama and sophistication, while softer hues like blush, sage, or warm neutrals add subtle warmth and calm.
“Using paint to create a feature wall is a quick, affordable way to refresh your room,” explains Caroline. “And because it’s just one wall, you can experiment with braver colours that might feel too strong across the whole space.”
Try a two-tone feature wall
Delicate Bows on Pinstripe Panel Wallpaper
A two-tone feature wall works beautifully when you combine a panel-style finish on the lower half with a lighter tone of the same colour or subtle print above. The break in the wall adds definition to the space and is an easy way to bring shape and interest to the room.
Our panel wallpaper makes this look even easier to achieve, with both the panel and design built into the same roll, giving you a perfectly balanced finish without needing to measure or level the divide yourself. Plus, it’s wallpaper rather than wood, so you get the look of panelling for less.
Be bold with a statement feature wall
“If your space is feeling a little dull or lacking personality, a statement wallpaper can transform it instantly,” says Caroline. “Bold prints bring energy and impact to a room, turning even the simplest wall into a standout focal point.”
Florals are always a popular choice for adding colour and movement, but you can be just as adventurous with botanicals, marble-effect designs or wallpapers with metallic detailing.
Living room feature wall ideas
“When you’re choosing a feature wall for a living room, start by looking at what’s already in the space,” advises Caroline. “If you’ve got a bright-coloured sofa or vibrant artwork, adding a feature wall may be too much. But if your palette is calm and understated, a patterned or richly coloured feature wall can bring the contrast and character the room needs.”
Add a feature wall behind the sofa
LUX Textures Chenille Plain Wallpaper
“People often have a blank wall behind their sofa, which means the whole room can feel a little flat,” explains Caroline. “Adding a feature wall here can add more visual interest. It instantly anchors the seating area and creates a natural focal point.”
Whether you choose a textured neutral, a soft stripe or a bolder patterned wallpaper, placing it behind the sofa helps define the space without overwhelming the rest of the room.
You could even create an art print wall, mixing different frame sizes and styles, to add personality behind the sofa. It makes the wall feel more purposeful and gives the whole seating area a more curated, finished look.
Separate a smaller zone within a larger living space
A feature wall is a brilliant way to create zones within a larger living room, making the space feel more intimate and cosy, especially in open-plan layouts. Using a different wallpaper or paint shade behind a single armchair, bookshelf or built-in seating instantly defines the area and gives it its own identity, transforming it into a relaxed, comfortable nook perfect for reading or unwinding after a long day.
Soft textures, warm tones or subtle patterns work especially well here, helping to create a calm, inviting corner that feels intentionally designed, even in a wide, open space.
Bedroom feature wall ideas
Add a feature wall behind the headboard
The wall behind the headboard is one of the strongest places to create a feature wall because it instantly frames the bed, the natural focal point of any bedroom. It helps anchor the layout and brings a polished, boutique feel to the room.
Whether you choose textured wallpaper, a refined stripe or a deep, calming shade, enhancing this wall creates a grounded, restful backdrop that sets the tone for the entire space.
Colour drench with a feature wall
“Colour drenching works brilliantly in bedrooms, creating a calm, cocooning feel that’s perfect for winding down,” explains Caroline. “The technique usually involves using the same colour across your walls, woodwork and ceiling, but you can also use different shades of the same hue to add extra depth. For example, an olive green wallpaper behind the bed paired with softer sage tones on the other walls creates a cohesive, modern space that feels beautifully considered.”
To learn more, read our Guide to Colour Drenching.
Transform the wall behind your dresser
Delicate Bows on Pinstripe Wallpaper
“A feature wall doesn’t always have to sit behind the bed,” says Caroline, “In many bedrooms, the wall behind the dresser is actually a fantastic place to make a statement. This often-overlooked area is usually free from tall furniture, giving you a cleaner, uninterrupted canvas for pattern, texture or colour.”
By drawing attention to the dresser wall, you can create a beautifully styled space: think elegant wallpaper paired with a mirror, curated accessories or soft lighting. It works especially well when the dresser wall is the first thing you see when you enter, giving it a more curated, interior-designed feel.
Chimney breast feature wall ideas
A chimney breast is a natural focal point in any room, which makes it a perfect spot for a feature wall. Its shape already draws the eye, and enhancing it with wallpaper, colour, or texture helps anchor the space and add character.
Use a bold pattern to frame the fireplace
If you want a dramatic feature wall, a patterned wallpaper chimney breast is a striking choice. Florals, geometrics or Art Deco-inspired designs can transform the fireplace into a true centrepiece. And because the area is compact, you can be braver with colour or print without overpowering the room.
Let your fireplace take centre stage
A painted chimney breast can draw attention to your fireplace, making it the star of the room. Painting just the chimney breast — rather than the whole wall — creates a defined focal point that instantly pulls the eye in. Choosing a contrasting shade for the breast helps emphasise the fire surround while adding just the right amount of interest.
For example, if you have a marble surround, pairing it with a blue painted chimney breast creates a striking contrast that makes the marble pop and stand out beautifully.
Frequently asked questions
How do you wallpaper a feature wall?
Wallpapering a feature wall is easier than you might think, and because you’re only covering one wall, it’s a great place to start if you’re new to decorating.
Before you begin, make sure you’ve measured your wall so you know exactly how much wallpaper you need.
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Prepare the wall — Make sure the surface is smooth, clean and dry. Remove old wallpaper, fill any holes, sand lightly, and wipe down to remove dust. A well-prepared wall helps wallpaper adhere properly and gives you a professional look.
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Mark your starting point — On a plain wall, begin in the centre so the design sits evenly on either side. But if you’re working around a chimney breast or window, start from there and work outwards around the room. Use a spirit level or plumb line to draw a straight vertical guide (this keeps your first drop perfectly straight).
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Apply the paste — If your wallpaper is ‘paste-the-wall’, apply paste directly to the wall. If it’s traditional wallpaper, paste the back of the paper. Follow the instructions on your roll to make sure you’re using the right method.
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Hang your first drop — Line up the edge of the wallpaper with your guide and gently smooth it down with a wallpaper brush or smoother. Work from the centre outward to remove any bubbles without stretching the paper.
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Match the pattern — For patterned wallpapers, take your time matching each drop so the design flows seamlessly. This step makes the biggest difference to the final look, especially with bold or intricate prints.
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Trim the excess — Score a line with scissors along the skirting, ceiling and edges, then follow that score line to neatly trim away the excess paper. Once trimmed, smooth the wallpaper back into place for a clean, precise finish.
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Repeat across the wall — Continue hanging each drop, smoothing, matching and trimming as you go.
For more DIY advice, read our Guide to Hanging Wallpaper.
Which wall should be the feature wall?
“The best feature wall is usually the one your eye is naturally drawn to when you enter the room,” explains Caroline. “This is often the wall behind a key piece of furniture, such as the bed, sofa or dining table, because it creates a strong focal point.”
“If your room is open-plan or has no obvious focal point, choose the wall that you see first when you walk in. The goal is to enhance the room’s natural flow, so the feature wall feels intentional rather than forced.”
Where do you start when wallpapering a feature wall?
“The best place to start is by finding the centre of your feature wall,” says Caroline. “Working from the middle ensures your design falls evenly on both sides, which is especially important if you’re hanging a patterned or symmetrical wallpaper.”
Use a plumb line or spirit level to mark a perfectly straight vertical line, then hang your first drop along that guide. Once the centre is in place, you can work outwards, matching the pattern as you go for a seamless finish.
What do you put on a feature wall?
A feature wall can be created with anything that adds interest, depth or contrast. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Most people use wallpaper, murals or paint to lift the space, but the key is choosing something that complements the rest of the room.
You can also enhance a feature wall with lighting, mirrors, artwork, or shelving — as long as it supports the focal point rather than competing with it. The goal is to create a standout wall in the room, whether that’s through colour, texture, shape or thoughtful styling.
