Paint is the cheapest accent wall, at $1 to $3 per square foot, according to HomeGuide. A wallpapered accent wall runs $120 to $500 installed (Angi), a shiplap one $240 to $1,700 (HomeGuide), and board and batten $7 to $20 per square foot (Angi). You can preview each treatment on a photo of your wall in House AI, with 3 free designs a day.
The price depends on the treatment and on whether you hire it out. A painted wall and a paneled wall of the same size can differ in price by hundreds of dollars once materials and labor are counted.
Accent wall cost by treatment
| Treatment | Installed cost per square foot | Typical accent wall total | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint | $1 to $3 | Accent walls cost 20% to 30% more than other walls | HomeGuide |
| Wallpaper | $3 to $8 | $120 to $500 for 30 to 60 square feet | Angi |
| Shiplap | $3 to $11 | $240 to $1,700 | HomeGuide |
| Board and batten | $7 to $20 | Not given separately | Angi |
| Wall paneling (general) | $7 to $25 | $500 to $1,000 for an 8 by 10 foot wall | Angi |
| Wood plank wall | $2.50 to $7 for the planks | $1,000 to $1,700 with a contractor | Angi |
HomeGuide notes that an accent wall costs 20% to 30% more to paint than the other walls in a room. Wood slat walls aren't priced separately in these guides. Angi's $500 to $1,000 for a paneled 8 by 10 foot wall is the closest benchmark, and the wood you pick changes the price.
What changes the price
Labor adds up fast. Angi puts wallpaper labor at $1 to $4 per square foot, wall prep at $50 to $300 per wall, and wall paneling labor at $40 to $100 an hour. Doing paint or peel-and-stick wallpaper yourself removes most of that. Paneling, shiplap, and board and batten take cutting, leveling, and finishing, so they are harder to do yourself.
How to see the wall before you pay for it
Step 1: Photograph the wall
Shoot the wall straight on in daylight, with a bit of the floor, ceiling, and nearby furniture in the frame.
Step 2: Try each treatment in House AI
Upload the photo, open Wall Design, and describe the treatment in your own words, such as "navy board and batten" or "pale oak vertical slats." Each design takes about 15 seconds on average, and every user gets 3 free designs a day.
Step 3: Get a sample and a quote
AI doesn't measure the wall, and screen color isn't paint color, so small details can drift. Order a paint or wallpaper sample, tape it up, and get a written quote with your exact square footage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest accent wall?
Paint. HomeGuide puts interior painting at $1 to $3 per square foot, with accent walls running 20% to 30% more than other walls.
How much does it cost to wallpaper one wall?
Angi puts a 30 to 60 square foot accent wall at $120 to $500 with materials and labor.
How much does a shiplap accent wall cost?
HomeGuide puts a shiplap accent wall at $240 to $1,700 installed, or $3 to $11 per square foot depending on the wood.
Is board and batten more expensive than shiplap?
Usually. Angi lists board and batten at $7 to $20 per square foot, while HomeGuide puts installed shiplap at $3 to $11.
Keep reading
- Wall Design
- Decorating Rental Apartments Without Permanent Changes
- 50 Interior Design Ideas for Every Room (2026)
- What Does Interior Design Cost in 2026? Designer vs DIY vs AI
- Is House AI Free?
Sources: HomeGuide, "How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room?", updated February 6, 2026. HomeGuide, "How Much Does Shiplap Cost?", updated January 30, 2024. Angi, "How Much Does Wallpaper Installation Cost?", updated May 30, 2026. Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Install Wainscotting?", updated July 9, 2026. Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Install Wall Paneling?", updated March 18, 2026. Angi, "How to Make and Install DIY Planked Walls," updated June 13, 2026. All checked October 3, 2026. House AI figures come from the House AI app.