Sometimes, a room doesn’t need more decoration. It just needs a wall that does all the work.
For a long time, when we talked about accent walls, we automatically thought of the classic wall painted in a different colour. Today, we can go so much further than that.
In my projects at NÜMA Design, I like to use accent walls to add texture, create a focal point, or simply give a room a little more character. Wood, stone, fluted panels, brick-effect tiles, concrete, or even limewash paint, there are so many creative possibilities.
And that doesn’t necessarily mean transforming an entire wall from floor to ceiling. Sometimes, a small, well-chosen surface is enough to completely change the atmosphere of a room.
So here are four accent wall ideas that I particularly love right now, featuring collections from Céramique L’Entrepôt that I would gladly use to recreate these looks.
1. The accent wall in wood panels
This is probably one of my favourite ways to instantly add warmth and texture to a room.
I particularly like wood panels in more minimalist interiors because they add rhythm and character without introducing a new colour.
I would easily use them behind a TV unit, behind a bed, in an entryway, or on a dining room wall.
The Lattö collection by Céramique L'Entrepôt is exactly the kind of product I like for this type of project. Its very elongated format creates beautiful vertical lines and really dresses the wall without needing to add much more.
LATTÖ Collection | Natural color | wood panel 7.5"x 96"
With this kind of wall covering, I like to keep everything else simple. A beautiful piece of furniture, a few carefully chosen accessories, warm lighting—and that’s all you need.
And why stop at the wall?
I also LOVE the idea of incorporating wood panels on the ceiling.
In an entryway, a hallway, above a kitchen island, or even to define a specific area within a large open-concept space, wood ceiling panels can completely transform how a room feels.
Certain variations of the Signature collection by Céramique L'Entrepôt are precisely designed for wall and ceiling installation.
Of course, before installing any panels on the ceiling, always make sure the selected product is approved for that purpose.
2. The stone accent wall
Stone walls are nothing new in interior design. But the way we use them has evolved considerably.
Right now, I’m particularly drawn to walls with a more natural, imperfect appearance: large stones, irregular shapes, and, most importantly, more prominent mortar joints.
We’re moving away from the small, perfectly fitted stone veneers where every piece lines up seamlessly with the next.
What I love is when the finished result almost looks as though the wall has always been there—as if it were part of the home’s original architecture.
Several models of wall stones from the Impexstone Company available at Céramique l'Entrepôt
I find this look particularly beautiful:
- Around a fireplace
- On a large wall with a cathedral ceiling
- In an entryway
- In a dining room
- In a wine cellar
- Even as a backsplash in the right project
What I would look for today: generously sized stones, natural shapes, and carefully chosen mortar joints.
3. The textured ceramic accent wall
This is one option I think we tend to overlook.
We still associate ceramic tiles primarily with bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes, but they can look absolutely stunning elsewhere in the home.
When installed across an entire wall, ceramic tile becomes an architectural feature in its own right.
The brick effect
For a brick-inspired look, I particularly like the more elongated formats.
The Nolita collection by Céramique L'Entrepôt, with its 2x18 format and textured matte finish, takes up the idea of traditional clay brick, but in a much more modern version.
NOLITA Collection | Brown color | wall tile 2x18 | matte textured finish
I could easily picture it on a fireplace wall, behind a TV unit, or in a dining room.
And simply changing the installation direction can completely transform the look: horizontally to visually widen the wall, or vertically to draw the eye upward.
concrete effect
For something a little more sober, I also really like concrete-effect ceramics.
RESIN HUB Collection | Dune color | porcelain tile 24x24 | matte finish
The Resin Hub collection by Céramique l'Entrepôt is a good example with its velvet look and matte finish.
On a large wall, it’s the kind of material that adds texture without necessarily introducing additional colours or patterns.
However, when working with a concrete effect, I always like to bring some warmth into the surrounding décor: wood, soft fabrics, a beautiful rug, and warm lighting.
Otherwise, the space can quickly start to feel a little cold.
The wallpaper AND lime paint effect
This is something I find particularly interesting because it really shows just how much ceramic tile has evolved.
The Clay collection by Céramique L'Entrepôt has a finish that reminds of clay, concrete and even a bit of lime paint.
You get movement and texture, but in a really soft way.
Collection CLAY | 4 colors in the style of lime painting and 3 versions of wallpaper decorations
And there are also the decorative versions like Ginkgo Decor, Fall Decor and Dandy Decor, which almost give the impression of having wallpaper on the wall. I find it SO beautiful for a bathroom or a small wall that we want to turn into a real decorative element.
And for those who want to dare a little more, I also have a big crush on the collections Decorado Gala, Decorado Bosco and Verdant from Céramique L'Entrepôt.
VERDANT Collection | porcelain tile 24x48 | 2 different patterns
With their tropical-inspired patterns, their wallpaper effect and, for some models, their almost 3D relief textures, they really have something to attract attention!
I imagine them particularly well in a shower room, a bathroom, an entrance or even a small corner of the house to which we would like to give more personality.
It’s the kind of coating that can completely transform a space without needing to do much more on the decoration side. And let’s be honest, it’s out of the ordinary!
DECORADO GALA Collection | porcelain tile 24x48 | 8 different patterns
4. The special shapes to create the pattern differently
Last option, and probably the one we forget the most: use the shape of the tile itself as a pattern. You don’t necessarily need a big color or a print to create an eye-catching wall. The Kasbah collection by Céramique L'Entrepôt is a great example.
Its geometric shapes inspired by arabesques allow to create a pattern simply by the repetition of the tiles. Personally, I would use it on a slightly more targeted surface: in an entrance, a bathroom or on a small wall that we really want to highlight.
This is the kind of detail that can completely make the project without needing to add it everywhere.
KASBAH Collection | Fawn color | Arabesque Base and Star tile mixed together
How to choose the right accent wall?
Before even choosing the material, I always consider which wall is truly worth highlighting.
When you walk into the room, where does your eye naturally go?
In a bedroom, it’s often the wall behind the bed. In a living room, it might be the fireplace or the TV wall. In a dining room, the wall behind the table can be an excellent choice.
I always prefer to highlight a wall that already has a natural reason to attract attention rather than choosing one simply because it happens to be empty.
And once the material is installed, there’s no need to overload the wall with additional décor.
If you’ve chosen a beautiful wall covering, let it breathe. It can easily become the main decorative element on its own.
That’s often my goal in my projects at NÜMA Design & Co.: to make the accent wall feel like it was part of the original design concept, rather than something added at the end simply because a wall looked a little empty.
The wall covering should work in harmony with the furniture, lighting, colours, and proportions of the room.
If you’re looking for materials to create this kind of feature wall in your own home, Céramique L’Entrepôt offers a wide range of inspiring options, from wood panels to textured and decorative ceramic tiles.
Are Accent Walls Still Trendy?
Absolutely! But the concept has evolved.
The classic wall painted in a contrasting colour still has its place, but today, I prefer to think of an accent wall as an integral part of a room’s design.
Wood, stone, ceramic tile, brick effects, concrete, limewash finishes, unique shapes—we can now play with materials and textures rather than relying solely on colour.
And personally, that’s exactly how I love accent walls: less like an extra decorative element and more like a natural extension of the architecture itself.
Written by Karine Pagé of Nüma Design & co.
