To make a room really pop, sometimes you need just a little bit more. If you’re looking for fresh ideas that are more exciting than another application of paint or wallpaper, we have just the thing.
Textured walls are walls and accents with three dimensions, or at least provide the illusion of having three dimensions. Adding a textured wall to a room is a surefire way to draw attention, express creativity, and add depth and character to a space.
Sure — wallpaper and textured paint can add a minimal amount of texture. But there are so many options out there for adding some real texture that evokes natural materials, like wood, brick, stone or even bamboo.
Think of some of the ways you can use a textured wall:
- Give your living room a rustic lodge feel with stacked wood edges that inspire coziness and warm beauty.
- Spice up your kitchen or den with stacked stone or riverstone accents for a natural look.
- Use brick in the bedroom for a classic, refined, industrial appearance.
- You can even combine wall textures designs for many more options!
Read on for details on textured walls, textured accents, their applications and cost for adding a textured wall or accent to your space.
Benefits of Textured Accent Walls
Textured walls can provide more control over the light and space within an area, which adds character to a room that can’t be replicated with flat drywall. Textured walls and accents also let you get creative by allowing for greater “theming” of certain rooms, such as kitchens, dining rooms, dens, workshops, playrooms and more. Finally, textured paneling and accents are durable and can last many years while protecting the wall underneath.
There are many more benefits to textured walls and accents, the most obvious one being: they are pretty cool to look at! Your household and friends will never get bored with the beautiful additions you’ve made to your space.
There are a number of material options out there for textured accent walls. Whether you’re going for the real thing or a faux panel option for a DIY-style project, here are some of the most popular choices in materials for textured walls and accents.
Incredible Textured Wall Ideas & Examples
Time to take a look at what the material options for textured walls and accents can look like. Read on for some ideas and examples of how to utilize textured walls and accents in a way that best enhances and opens up your space, as well as information on cost.
Wood Wall Texture
Soften up a room with wood wall paneling. Wood can be layered in vertical or horizontal lines, allowing for various cuts, lengths and looks that mimic all types of classic styles. The texture offered by wood panels that display the organic grooves of wood grain can be used in a den or living room for a comforting feel.
Per square foot, wood wall paneling is quite affordable. Think $10-12 per sq/ft.
Barnwood
Barnwood is a unique idea for achieving a rustic but contemporary look. Reclaimed wood that evokes a farmhouse style is a popular way of accenting your space with texture.
Think $12-$15 per square foot, or more depending on the sourcing of the reclaimed wood.
Riverstone
Bring the outside in with a natural riverstone look, meant to embody stones lying in the bed of a river. A beautiful option for a bathroom or powder room, riverstone is quite eye-catching.
Stone is more expensive per square foot than most other materials. Think $35-$50 per square foot, plus more for the installation, which can be more labor-intensive than other accent materials.
Stacked Stone
The variance in color and texture of stone walls make them entirely unique, allowing them to contrast well against other features and textures in a room. Stacked stone is a tried-and-true way to bring in natural but elegant texture into a space.
Again, assume around $35-$50 per square foot, plus more for the installation.
3D Panel
Get creative and multi-dimensional with 3D textures and paneling. There are so many opportunities for sprucing up a playroom, den, gameroom and more with shaped accent walls.
3D wall accent paneling can vary in cost, but an average of $10-$12 per square foot is a safe bet.
Concrete
Concrete is stark and minimalist and can be used to create a space that is cool and calm, open up a space and add dimension with light and shadow. Concrete is a bold choice for achieving a slick, industrial, modern look and could be a great fit for opening up a living room or bathroom.
Concrete wall accents are a bit more expensive than other materials like wood or bamboo. Think $30-$40 per square foot.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a unique design aesthetic that invokes a feeling of lush comfort and elegance. This example uses bamboo in a tasteful bathroom backsplash. You could also dress up an indoor bar or a veranda with a tropical feel.
Expect an average cost of $10-$12 per square foot for bamboo wall texture.
Slate Tile
Slate is a cool, unconventional idea for introducing a textured stone into your space. Slate can bring a dark, natural elegance that can be used almost anywhere.
Slate is on the level of stone wall accents in cost per square foot. Think $30-$40 per sq/ft.
Brick
Whether you’re going for industrial chic or historic and classic, brick is tried-and-true as an accent wall. Brick’s unique texture can come in a variety of colors and feelings for use in many different rooms and applications. Brick’s horizontal layers add a sense of flow and energy to a space, drawing eyelines across a wall to various points of interest.
Brick textured walls can cost an average of $30-$40 per square foot.
Did any of the above examples look interesting? There’s a lot more out there — browse our full gallery for more inspiration and ideas on where to take your next project!
Determining Textured Wall Costs
You may be wondering how to estimate what installing a textured or accent wall is going to cost, whether you should have it done professionally or go for the do-it-yourself path.
Textured wall costs will vary depending on the materials and the difficulty of the installation. Whether you’re going the pro route with a contractor or looking to install an accent wall yourself, you first need to know the square footage of the room or space you’re looking to accent.
Check out our post on decorative wall paneling for a breakdown on how to measure and calculate the square footage of your space.
Once you have the square footage, use this materials calculator to help you find out what quantity of materials you need to get your accent wall project rolling.
| Material | Estimated Cost | Installation |
| Stone | $35-$50 per square foot. | Requires skilled masonry, heavy materials. Can cost $20 and $30 per square foot for installation |
| Brick | $25-$35 per square foot. | Requires skilled masonry |
| Wood (new) | $10-$12 per square foot. | Wood accent walls are simple to DIY, if measured properly! |
| Wood (reclaimed) | $18-$20 per square foot. | Because of the unique nature of reclaimed wood, installation can be more of a process than with new wood. |
| Concrete | $30-$40 per square foot. | Requires heavy materials to install. |
| Faux wall panels | $99.95 per 2’ x 4’ panel, discounts for larger orders | Simple to DIY, requires only common tools |
Looking to get inspired? Check out this walkthrough video of a Texture Plus customer that completed a DIY installation of a faux brick accent wall.
Wall Texture Design Tips & Techniques
Now that you know the materials available to you, general cost information and the benefits of adding textured walls and accents to your space, here are some additional tips and techniques for getting the project exactly right:
- Embrace existing architectural bones/exposed brick and utilize them in your design. No need to start entirely from scratch. Use what you have!
- Carefully consider the space. What is its purpose? What is the look you’re trying to achieve?
- Take note of where your natural light sources are. How does the natural light affect the space, and now will it play into the final product? What other light sources will you add to further enhance the texture?
- Consider complementary textures and materials. There is no rule you need to stick to just one texture idea. Mix and match for your own unique look.
- Don’t forget the ceiling and floor, as well!
- Favor materials that will save you time and money. To that end, we encourage you to take a look at all of our faux wall paneling options that can give you the same look and satisfaction as real accented materials, without the cost and labor-intensive installation! To see how simple it is to install faux wall panels, see our video: How to Install | Texture Plus.
If you are looking to achieve any of the above looks at a reduced price, we’ve got you covered. You can achieve the same look that each of these natural textures provides with our faux wall panels, available in a range of styles and colors. Shop for textures here and explore our wide selection of faux wall panels and accents.
FAQs About Textured Walls
What are textured walls made of?
Textured walls are made of all types of textured materials: brick, stone, concrete, bamboo, wood, and much more.
How do I install textured walls?
Depending on the material, or if you order faux accent paneling from us, installing textured walls can be a simple DIY process. For real stone, slate, brick or concrete installation, you’ll need masonry skills and some heavy machinery. Best to go with a contractor.
Are textured walls outdated?
Definitely not! Textured walls are all the rage for breathing life into a room that needs some character. Nothing outdated about that!
Which textured walls are best?
The textured wall that is best for you is completely up to your own personal space, and the room’s purpose, feeling and desired outcome.
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