Accent Wall Color Picker

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How to use this tool

Choose the room, the mood you want and the color of your other walls. Press the button to see three accent wall colors with their hex codes, a neutral to pair them with and a tip for where to paint the accent wall.

Tips for choosing an accent wall

Pick one wall only, usually the one you see first when you walk in or the wall behind the main piece of furniture. Test paint samples on the wall and look at them at different times of day. Repeat the accent color in small items such as pillows, art or rugs to tie the room together.

How to choose an accent wall color that works

The picker suggests three accent colors based on your room, the mood you want and your other walls. Treat the suggestions as a starting shortlist. The same color can look quite different once it is on your wall, under your light and next to your furniture.

What changes how a color looks

  • Light direction: North-facing rooms get cooler, softer light that can make colors look grayer. South-facing rooms get warmer, brighter light that can make colors look lighter.
  • Bulbs: Warm white bulbs add yellow. Cool white bulbs add blue. Check samples at night with your own lamps.
  • Undertone: Grays and beiges often lean green, pink, blue or yellow. Match the undertone to your floors, cabinets and fabrics.
  • Size: Colors usually look more intense on a full wall than on a small chip.

How to test your shortlist

  • Paint sample swatches at least 12 by 12 inches, or use large peel-and-stick samples.
  • Put samples on more than one wall, including one near the window and one in shade.
  • Place them next to the trim and the other wall color so you see them together.
  • Leave them up for a few days and look at different times.

Planning the paint

One accent wall uses little paint. A 12 ft wide wall with an 8 ft ceiling is 96 square feet. Most interior paints cover about 350 to 400 square feet per gallon per coat. So two coats on that wall need about 192 square feet of coverage, and one gallon is plenty. A quart may cover one coat but often runs short on two.

Deep colors such as navy, plum or forest green may need a tinted primer or an extra coat to look even. Ask the paint store which primer suits your color.

Common mistakes

  • Picking the accent wall that has the most doors and windows. Little paint shows, so the effect is lost.
  • Choosing a color from a phone screen alone. Screens rarely show paint color exactly.
  • Using a flat finish in a kitchen or kids room, where walls get wiped often.
  • Skipping painter’s tape on corners where the accent meets a lighter wall.

Once you pick a color, use the neutral and placement tip from your results to tie the room together.

Frequently asked questions

Which wall should be the accent wall?
Choose the wall that is the natural focal point, such as the wall behind the bed, the sofa or the dining table.
What color should I paint a bedroom accent wall?
Soft blues, greens and warm neutrals feel calm. Deep navy or plum give a bold and cozy feel.
Can I use a dark color on one wall in a small room?
Yes. A dark wall on the far side can make a small room feel deeper. Keep the other walls light.
How many accent walls should a room have?
One is usually enough. Too many accent walls can make a room feel busy.
How do I choose between paint colors?
Test sample colors on the wall and look at them in morning, afternoon and evening light before you decide.
What paint finish is best for an accent wall?
Eggshell or matte works well in most living rooms and bedrooms. These finishes hide flaws and make deep colors look rich. In kitchens, bathrooms and kids rooms, satin is easier to wipe clean. High gloss is usually saved for trim and doors because it shows every bump in the wall.
Can I use a hex code to buy paint?
A hex code describes a screen color, not a paint formula. Many paint stores and brand apps can suggest the closest match from a hex code. Because screens and paint differ, always buy a sample of the matched color and test it on your wall before buying gallons.
Should the trim and ceiling match the accent wall?
Usually not. Most rooms keep the ceiling and trim in a white or soft neutral so the accent wall stands out. For a bold, wrapped look, some people paint the trim on the accent wall the same color. Keep the ceiling light in small rooms so they do not feel closed in.