An accent wall is a single wall that is designed to become the main focal point of the room. It adds personality, dimension, and visual interest to a space. There are a few ways to go about it—you can paint the wall a contrasting color, cover it with wood panels or stone veneer, or even create a gallery wall with a grouping of artwork, photographs, or collectibles. But for a big visual payoff with little effort, you can’t beat the impact of just one wallpapered wall. Best of all, even if you’re new to DIY, you can easily pull it off on your own. Here’s how.
Plan the Look
When deciding which wall should be your accent wall, it makes sense for it to be the wall you see upon entering the room. Another option is a wall behind a large piece of furniture, like a bed or a sofa. An important consideration is to pick a wall that has a distinct stopping point—if you have an open-plan layout, a wall that runs straight into the next space can make the pattern feel endless, so it’s probably not a good choice.
Pattern scale matters too. Oversized or geometric prints, like stripes or gingham, can draw attention to crooked corners or wavy trim. Meanwhile, smaller or random patterns, such as floral or toile, tend to hide those imperfections.
First-time Homeowner Tip: To help you visualize, take a photo of the wall you’re considering. Then use your phone’s markup tool to fill the wall with color or a pattern before you commit.
7 Easy Steps to Creating a Wallpaper Accent Wall
Step 1: Prep the Wall Surface
Wall prep and primer aren’t optional. They help the wallpaper stick well, keep moisture from the paste from soaking into the drywall, and make removal easier later. That matters if you later decide you want to change things up.
To set yourself up for success, follow these steps:
- Start by removing all plates from around the outlets and switches. Turn off the power to the circuit before working around open outlets or switches.
- Next, thoroughly clean the wall so the primer and adhesive bond properly.
- Patch dents and nail holes, then sand the surface smooth.
- Apply a wallpaper-specific primer with a paint roller. Allow the primer to dry.
- Lightly sand with 120-grit sandpaper to give the surface better grip.
First-time Homeowner Tip: Run your hand over the wall. If you can feel a bump or dent, you’ll see it once the wallpaper is up.
Step 2: Measure and Lay Out Strips
Measure the width and height of the wall to determine how many strips of wallpaper you’ll need and where to start.
If your wallpaper’s pattern repeats, start in a corner. If your wallpaper pattern doesn’t repeat, start in the middle of the wall to create a symmetrical look. Mark a plumb line at the starting point or use a laser level.
To avoid ending up with a narrow strip in an obvious spot, plan your layout first. Mark the wall in intervals the width of your wallpaper before hanging the first strip.
First-time Homeowner Tip: Don’t trust that corners or window frames will be straight. Structural elements can be askew. For crisp seams, always work from a plumb line—a laser level makes it flawless.
Step 3: Cut the Wallpaper Strips to Length
Cut the wallpaper strips to length, leaving at least 2 inches extra. Cutting a little long gives you room for pattern matching and clean trimming at the ceiling and baseboard.
If your wallpaper has a repeating pattern, cut each strip at the same point in the pattern so the design lines up across the wall.
First-time Homeowner Tip: Until you’re finished, hold onto the wallpaper roll label which includes the dye lot number, in case you need an extra roll mid-project so you can get a perfect match.
Step 4: Apply Adhesive and Book Each Strip
One strip at a time, lay the wallpaper out on the floor or a long table, pattern side down. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, apply the wallpaper adhesive to the back of the wallpaper using a paint roller in a thin, even layer, keeping the paste off the work surface so you don’t transfer glue onto the face of the next strip.
With the adhesive applied, fold the wallpaper on top of itself so the pattern is facing out, being careful not to get adhesive on the pattern.
This fold-and-rest step is called booking. It allows the paper to absorb moisture, expand, and then relax before it’s applied to the wall. If you skip booking, the wallpaper can expand or contract on the wall, causing buckling or open seams.
Step 5: Hang the First Strip and Smooth the Right Way
Carefully carry the wallpaper up the ladder, allowing the paper to hang straight down away from the wall as you get into position. When ready, apply the adhesive side of the wallpaper to the wall, aligning the edge with the plumb line and leaving a slight overlap at the ceiling and baseboard.
Use the smoothing tool to work bubbles out from under the wallpaper—begin from the center and work outward, and from the top down. Then trim the wallpaper at the top and bottom, using the smoothing tool as a guide and cutting with the utility knife.
First-time Homeowner Tip: Swap blades in your utility knife often. A sharp blade prevents tearing.
Step 6: Match the Pattern and Treat Seams Like a Pro
Repeat with the next strip of wallpaper. Be careful to align the pattern. In some cases, it’s better to overlap the strips and cut one new seam. In other cases, simply aligning the patterns will work.
Trim the strip to size and, with moderate pressure, roll the seam with the seam roller. Rolling too hard can squeeze paste out, which makes seams more likely to lift. If paste does squeeze out at the seam, wipe it immediately with a slightly damp sponge and clean water.
Step 7: Finish the Wall and Let It Dry
Repeat over the rest of the wall.
Allow the adhesive to dry (following the manufacturer’s suggestions about temperature and humidity) before reinstalling the cover plates.
Once the accent wall is complete, wash your freshly hung wallpaper with a clean, damp sponge to remove any lingering paste. If any paste remains, it will dry with a sheen that will be visible once everything cures.
Choosing Wallpaper Material: Grasscloth vs. Vinyl
This project features grasscloth, which gives the wall a rich, textured look. Keep in mind that natural grasscloth can make seams more noticeable because the fibers don’t match perfectly from strip to strip.
If your accent wall is near a kitchen, kid zone, or anywhere that needs frequent wipe-downs, consider vinyl wallpaper that mimics grasscloth. It wipes down more easily and is often more budget friendly.
DIY Wallpaper Accent Wall vs. Hiring a Pro
Wallpapering an accent wall is doable for many homeowners, but your wall conditions and your choice of wallpaper matter. Some wallpapers are more DIY-friendly than others, and some walls are trickier or more labor-intensive.
As a rule of thumb, if your structural elements are out of plumb or you’re using a high-end wallpaper and are worried about making a mistake, consider hiring a pro.
The Cost to Create a Wallpaper Accent Wall
Wallpaper prices can swing widely based on the material, design, and brand. How it’s produced–hand-screened vs. mass-produced–is also a factor. The table below gives first-time homeowners a starting point for budgeting an accent wall. It includes tools and materials you may not already have on hand.
| Materials | Cost range |
| Wallpaper per roll | $13.24 to $646.29 |
| Primer | $30.40 to $52.11 |
| Adhesive | $15.84 to $20.18 |
| Wallpaper smoother | $6.26 to $44.04 |
| Paint roller | $4.54 to $11.60 |
| Roller tray | $3.70 to $10.80 |
| Plumb bob | $4.62 to $47.08 |
| Seam roller | $2.94 to $3.96 |
Materials
- Wallpaper primer
- Wallpaper
- Wallpaper adhesive
Tools
- Screwdriver
- Paint rollers
- Extension handle
- Tape measure
- Level or laser level
- Scissors
- Ladder
- Wallpaper smoother
- Utility knife
- Seam roller
- 120-grit sandpaper
- Clean sponge and bucket