We've supplied reclaimed wood for hundreds of accent wall installations over the years — in homes, offices, restaurants, and retail spaces. Along the way, we've picked up some design principles that consistently produce great results.
Choose one wall, not four. The whole point of an accent wall is contrast. If you clad every wall in reclaimed wood, it becomes the default rather than the accent. Pick the most prominent wall — usually the one you see first when entering the room, or the wall behind a fireplace or bed.
Consider direction. Horizontal board orientation feels calm and expansive. Vertical orientation draws the eye up and adds height. Diagonal or herringbone patterns are dramatic but can feel busy in small rooms. Match the orientation to the mood you want.
Mix widths, not species (usually). Random-width boards from the same species create visual interest without chaos. Mixing different species adds color variation that can be beautiful but requires careful planning. If you do mix species, stick to two — any more and it starts to look random rather than intentional.
Let the wood breathe. Don't push your accent wall from floor to ceiling and wall to wall if it will feel cramped. Leaving a few inches of painted wall at the edges creates a frame effect that makes the wood look intentional rather than overwhelming.
Mind the lighting. Reclaimed wood absorbs more light than painted walls. If your accent wall is in a dark corner, add dedicated lighting — a few well-placed LED uplights or picture lights can make the grain and patina come alive.
Think about what goes in front of the wall. A reclaimed wood wall behind a simple sofa or bed creates a beautiful backdrop. The same wall behind a busy bookshelf or gallery of framed photos can feel cluttered. Keep the foreground simple to let the wood be the star.
We offer accent wall kits with pre-sorted boards in consistent lengths and random widths. It takes the guesswork out of material selection and gives you a cohesive look. Ask us about our standard and premium accent wall packages.