Feature walls - seriously dated or still en vogue?

"The most common way to achieve a feature wall was simply to paint it in a bold, often contrasting, hue in order to make it stand out from the rest of the room. No matter if the chosen colour suited the space or its natural light levels - or even if the homeowners particularly liked it. The main thing was, there was an accent wall, supposedly there to add character and personality."

"She's been busy researching dark bedroom ideas and wanted the chimney breast to be panelled and then painted a deep charcoal shade, keeping the rest of the walls a warm white. Just as I was getting started on the project, I hesitated. After all, 2025 has been dominated by the colour-drenching trend - basically the complete opposite of a feature wall."

""Feature walls aren't necessarily out of fashion, but the way they're done has definitely evolved," "Bold, single-colour walls or heavily patterned wallpapers can feel dated if overdone, but a carefully considered feature wall can still add personality to a room in a modern way.""

Feature walls peaked during late 1990s makeover shows and were typically painted in bold, contrasting hues to create visual interest, often ignoring room light and homeowner preference. Contemporary design advice favors evolution of the feature wall concept, warning that bold single-colour walls and heavily patterned wallpapers can look dated if overdone. 2025 has trended toward colour-drenching—full-room colour rather than a single accent—but a well-considered feature wall using paneling, texture, restrained contrasts, layered neutrals, and attention to natural light can still add personality and modern character to a space.

Read at Homebuilding