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.

How to Add Color and Storage to Your Entryway
Loading Video...

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).

Next Up

How to Design a Bold Home Bar Inspired by 'Windy City Rehab'

Skip the trip downtown this weekend and build this bold in-home bar inspired by Windy City Rehab instead.

How to Paint a DIY Mountain Wall Mural

HGTV shows you how to create a custom mountainscape painting. It is easy; no advanced artistic skills are required. It’s also inexpensive, and you can make it any size and color palette you want.

How to Properly Paint Your Home's Exterior

Give your house a fresh, updated look with exterior paint.

Top 10 Ways to Paint Like a Pro

For a professional-looking paint job, do what the experts do.

Read This Before You Paint Your Front Door

So, you’re ready to paint your front door. Whether it’s just a touchup with a favorite hue or an entirely new shade that will grace your entrance, take note of these helpful hints before you pick up your brush.

How to Paint Wood Furniture

Learn how to strip, sand and paint wood furniture.

Block Print Like a Pro: How to Carve Rubber Stamps for Fabric Printing

If you’ve always wanted to create your own T-shirt design, this tutorial by Maine artist Allison McKeen will have you block printing with color in no time. Plus, the tools you need are easy to use and just as easy to find at almost any craft store. Learn how to block print like a pro with this easy beginner’s guide to carving rubber block stamps and using fabric block-printing ink to make your design shine.

Painting Laminate Countertops: A Step-by-Step Guide

New kitchen countertops can be an expensive upgrade. Transform your kitchen without breaking the bank by priming and painting your existing laminate counters.

Mother's Day Kids' Craft: Fingerprint Table Runner

Get the kids involved in crafting and decorating for Mother's Day brunch by personalizing a plain white table runner with colorful fingerprints.

21 Beautiful Removable Wallpaper Designs Renters Should Know About

Don't let renting (or commitment fatigue) keep you from tackling that room refresh you've been wanting. Make your removable wallpaper dreams a reality with one of these peel-and-stick beauties.

On TV

Home Town

12pm | 11c

Home Town

1pm | 12c

Home Town

2pm | 1c

Home Town

3pm | 2c

Home Town

4pm | 3c

Home Town

5pm | 4c
On Tonight
On Tonight

Home Town

6pm | 5c

Home Town

7pm | 6c

Home Town

8pm | 7c

Home Town

9pm | 8c

House Hunters

11pm | 10c

House Hunters

11:31pm | 10:31c

Home Town

12am | 11c

House Hunters

2:30am | 1:30c

Home Town

2:59am | 1:59c

Home Town

4am | 3c

Home Town

5am | 4c
What's Hot

Home Town

Sunday Nights at 8|7c

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.

Luxury Home Giveaways

HGTV Smart Home

A sophisticated Southwestern home in Santa Fe, New Mexico

HGTV Dream Home

A modern mountain getaway in Morrison, Colorado

HGTV Urban Oasis

A Southern-inspired escape in Louisville, Kentucky