Illuminate Your Space: Creating a Stunning Light-Up Accent Wall
In my home, I get the say in probably 99% of the spaces. My husband does not really care what I do, so I make most of the design choices in our home. However, when I designed his office, he wanted to choose the color. Of course, I agreed. I was shocked when he chose Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams for all the walls. But he loved it, and that is all that matters! I will give you a step-by-step tutorial and a few tips for creating the same light-up accent wall in your space.
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Light-Up Accent Wall Supplies:
Step #1: Paint the Walls
Because I was painting the walls a dark color, and I have a paint gun (here’s a more budget-friendly version as well!), I decided to spray my walls instead of rolling them. When painting a dark color, I like to spray so you do not see the roller lines. If you do not have a paint sprayer, you can roll it; just be aware that you may see lines if you paint a dark color.
If you’re spraying, you’ll need to protect anything you don’t want painted. Start by taping off the edges just as you would when using a roller. Then layer paper or plastic over those areas and tape it down for added protection. This helps prevent any overspray or paint from seeping under the tape.
And don’t forget to protect yourself, too! A paint suit, hair net, and goggles are must-haves. Once everything is masked and covered, you’re ready to start spraying.
Light-Up Accent Wall Step #2: Paint & Hang Trim Pieces
Before you hang your trim, you will want to paint it. I promise, it makes your life so much easier! I used my paint sprayer to paint the trim as well.
Here’s a little hack for you! Put a few push pins in the back side of the trim. This will prop it up a bit so that you can paint the top and side at the same time, and prevent any weird settling of the paint.
After they are painted, you will be able to install them. When I did it, I installed all the trim, filled the nail holes and everything, and then decided to add lights to them a different way, and had to redo my work… So here is what I suggest you do, not what I did.
Hang your trim where you want it, only put one or two nails in it to hold it in place; it will not be secure yet. Once all the boards are on, you will decide where you want the lights. I did not want them on every board. After I knew where I wanted them, I would remove the ones where the lights were going.
Next, get thin trim and sandwich it between the wall and the main trim piece. You will attach the lights to the side of the little trim piece so you cannot see the strip, but you still see the light. Reinstall the main trim piece, but with extra nails to secure it to the wall.
Step #3: Finish Work for Your Light-up Accent Wall
I did not caulk this project, and you probably do not have to. But if you want to, go for it! But be sure to fill all the nail holes with wood filler.
I weaved my lights from one trim piece to the other. I didn’t want them to be visible on the ceiling and by the baseboards, so I covered them with electrical tape, then painted the tape the color of the wall so it blended in. You can still see the light through, just not as bright. I think it looked perfect!
My husband thought it was great! He was very excited about it and could not wait to move into his new office! What do you think of doing a light-up accent wall? What space would you do this in?
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