Give Your Entryway Design a Bold Makeover Inspired by 'Windy City Rehab'

Take a cue from Windy City Rehab and give your home's entryway a bold makeover with a painted accent wall.

An Entryway With a Blue Accent Wall and Patterned Rug

Makeover a Boring Entryway With Blue Paint

Before, this entryway was boring. The white walls left those who entered the door wanting more and the space was in need of a bold makeover. To give the space an impactful new look, trim boards were installed along the wall, then the walls and trim were painted with Riverway from HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams.

One weekend is all you need to take your entryway from bland to bold with this easy accent wall transformation inspired by HGTV's Windy City Rehab. Best of all, you really only need paint. However, we recommend throwing up some trim pieces to enhance the look. So, if you’re ready for your guests to "ooh" and "ahh" each time they cross your threshold, grab your paintbrush, because we have the DIY accent wall for you.

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How to Add Color and Storage to Your Entryway
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Materials Needed

  • paint + primer
  • pencil
  • level
  • measuring tape
  • string
  • 1x3 trim pieces
  • miter saw or circular saw
  • brad nailer + nails
  • construction adhesive
  • paint supplies
  • painter's tape
  • paintbrush
  • paint roller head
  • 3/8" nap woven acrylic paint roller

Step 1: Create Your Design

After removing any furniture and wall hangings, step back and take a look at your bare wall. Envision what could be and, if it helps, jot some designs on a pad of paper.

A Blank White Wall in an Entryway

DIY Accent Wall: Before

The first step in this DIY accent wall project is to look at the blank wall once all the furniture and decor is pulled from the room, then establish a plan and vision.

Step 2: Find Your Perfect Shades

Use photo inspiration, paint chips and paint samples to decide on a bold color that you love in your space. We went with Riverway from HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams.

A Woman Holding a Paint Chip to the Wall

Bold Entryway Accent Wall: Choose Your Paint

Step one in crafting this bold entryway accent wall is to choose your paint of choice. We chose Riverway from HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams.

Step 3: Add Trim (Optional)

If you want to add trim to your wall, do so before painting. Measure and mark the wall to evenly space the trim, then cut it to length using a miter saw or circular saw. Using a level to ensure each piece is straight, nail them to the wall using a brad nailer, adding construction adhesive to the back of the boards for extra holding power (Images 1 - 4).

Pro Tip: No saw? No problem. Find your measurements before heading to the hardware store, then have the associate cut the boards to length.

Step 4: Draw Your Design

Use a level to draw your design on the wall (Images 1 - 2). For curves, attach a string to a pencil to draw a perfect semicircle (Image 3). Once drawn, put painter's tape on the lines (Image 4).

Step 5: Caulk the Trim

Caulk around the trim to cover the gaps, following the instructions on the caulk tube for application and drying times.

Step 6: Brush Around the Details

Cut around the trim and any tight areas using an angled paintbrush.

A Woman Painting Wall Trim Blue

DIY Accent Wall: Paint the Trim Lines

The next step in this DIY accent wall project is to paint the newly installed trim with Riverway from HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams.

Step 7: Roll the Larger Areas

For the larger areas, use a 3/8-inch nap woven acrylic roller for an ultra-smooth paint finish (Images 1 - 2). We opted for a paint + primer combo to achieve easy one-coat coverage.

Step 8: Accessorize Your Accent Wall

Once the paint dries, accessorize your accent wall with coat hooks and artwork, hanging up a combo of your go-to pieces and those that are simply too cool to hide in a closet (Images 1 - 3).

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