If you’re looking to create a fashionable focal point in your home, a feature wall is an excellent place to start. Feature walls have become a staple in interiors in recent years, and their popularity shows no signs of waning.

Looking for some stylish ways to interpret this trend? Follow these simple tips to create the perfect feature wall in your new home.

1         Hire a professional

Show home living room at Laird's Gate, Dukeswood

Whether you’ve decided to opt for a block of solid, bold colour or some contemporary, patterned wallpaper - always hire a professional to take care of the job. Though you may save some money initially by doing your own painting or hanging your own wallpaper, you risk making some costly mistakes.

In this show home, we’ve used a deep blue paint to create a rich, regal look in this living room. We’re sure you agree that this stunning look wouldn’t work without the flawless matte finish of the paintwork.

2       Don’t Feature too many walls

Show home living room at Berryhill, Broadshade

A feature wall should be a stylish focal point in your home, not something that overwhelms the room. Limit your feature wall designs to just one wall in smaller rooms, bathrooms and kitchens to avoid overwhelming the space. In larger spaces like open plan living areas, you can expand your bold designs to two walls.

In this stylish living room, the feature wall is strong and dark with vivid textures, but only one wall has been featured and the rest painted a cool white. This creates an eye catching and daring look that still complements the space.  

3       Try textures

 Show home dining room at Laird's Gate, Laurieston

If you don’t want to make vivid or daring colour choices, why not experiment with texture to create a distinctive feature wall that will attract attention without being overbearing. There are a large collection of textured wallpapers and paints available, and if you feel like making a stronger style statement, you can even use tiling, wood or slate to add texture.

In this show home dining room, we have used striking textures in a natural slate shade for this unusual feature wall. This look creates the kind of focal point that will be a real talking point for your guests.  

4       Create a theme

Show Home dining room at Greenwood Manor, Findhorn

If you’ve fallen in love with a contemporary wallpaper or mural style, you can base the overall theme of the room on this design. Even the strongest designs and textured can be used without creating a look that’s too busy or cluttered.

In the photo above, we have used the stunning black and silver feature wall to inspire the theme of this dining room. We have used a monochrome palette and strong geometric shapes in the accessories, but cool, plain walls and flooring and plenty of natural light for a stylish and contemporary look.

5        Work with the shape of the room

Show home bedroom at Greenwood Manor, Braemar

Instead of trying to disguise unusual shapes and designs in a room, embrace them! Making a feature wall with an unusual shape, highlights the architectural structure of a room, and creates a truly unique space.

In this show home, we have used a strong patterned wallpaper in a light grey colour to highlight and flatter this beautiful bedroom. You can recreate this look easily with stylish wallpaper in a nude or pastel shade.

Search for your perfect new home today, and get a closer look at the stylish décor in our beautiful show homes: http://www.stewartmilnehomes.com/find-a-home-search.aspx