How to Paint an Accent Wall Brown

Choose a shade of brown that is appropriate for the size of the accent wall as well as the room. A dark shade of brown will make the wall, and possibly the room, seem smaller. Light shades of brown will make the space seem bigger, and are also a more neutral backdrop for furnishings and accessories. If you are aiming to make the space seem more intimate, a dark chocolate might be most appropriate, and if you want to give the illusion of more space, stick with tan or light brown.

Tape off the perimeter of the accent wall, placing painter's tape along the edge of the walls that meet the wall to be painted. Add a strip of tape along the ceiling and floor boards that meet the accent wall. Put a drop cloth on the floor below the accent wall to protect your flooring from any paint spills.

Stir your paint thoroughly while it is still in the can, and pour some paint into the paint tray. Put a paint brush into the tray and paint along the perimeter of the wall -- a process called cutting in. Apply the paint so that it meets the painter's tape and extends about two to three inches into the wall.

Put a roller into the tray and saturate it with paint. Begin painting the wall in the top corner, rolling the paint in a "W" formation. Complete the job in small sections, filling one section completely with paint before moving on to the next. Paint manufacturer Behr recommends painting from the ceiling down, blending the edges of each painted section together to eliminate paint lines.

Allow the wall to dry completely. If you are painting with a dark shade of brown, you are likely to need a second coat. Apply the second coat using the same technique you used with the first coat. Remove the tape from around the wall after about two hours.