As is the case with low-rise jeans, combat boots, and bucket hats in the world of fashion, there are plenty of once-celebrated interior design trends that have finally left the building. One such trend that designers are happy to see disappear? Accent walls. California-based interior designer Kristen Peña even went so far as to say, “I wish everyone would read the memo that one wall of color is not the way to go. Be bold and be brave!” So, what’s the hot new design element that’s seeing accent walls out?We asked six experts for their thoughts on the matter and, to our surprise, they had different answers, but they all focused on the same place: the ceiling, an area of the room that often goes unnoticed because, generally speaking, people tend to look forward, not up—until now. The ceiling is quickly becoming the new place to incorporate some visual interest, and these designers are breaking down exactly how to do it. Related StoriesVisually IllusiveRyann FordAs is the case with plenty of interior designers, Austin, Texas-based Sara Malek Barney doesn’t skip the ceiling when she’s designing a room—any room. “I consider it the fifth wall, and when it is treated with equal regard to the vertical walls of a room, it can elevate the space and create a sense of balance over all,” she explains. “In a room with high ceilings, bringing the height of the room down a bit to make it less visually overwhelming is a good idea. I like to do this by adding a wallpaper with gentle colors and a unique pattern to both the ceiling and a few feet of the walls beneath it.” What’s more, having some fun with the ceiling is just another expression of personal style. “I love incorporating color, even if it’s super subtle,” the designer adds.Color-DrenchingChristopher Stark Design enthusiasts are hardly strangers to the idea of color-drenching, but some professionals are more keen on it than others. One such designer is San Francisco, California-based Kristen Peña, who is quite fearless when it comes to color-drenching, as shown here. “I like to understand the psychology behind a client ask. To me, an accent wall is about the desire for visual interest, but just by dipping your toe in,” she explains. “Our job, as designers, is to portray confidence in spaces, so I always encourage a client to jump in with both feet and drench the whole room—even the ceiling! Lime paint, wallpaper, plaster… just go for it!”Related StoryColor-BlockingThomas KuohWhile some prefer to swath the walls in an easy, soft neutral that doesn’t draw much attention, others like to go big with not one but two bright hues that are painted in a way that complements one another. “Accent ceilings are the only accent ‘walls’ that our team specifies on projects. They have unique visual weight, add unexpected mood, and are a powerful tool in defining spaces within a larger array of rooms in the home,” says San Francisco, California-based Emilie Munroe, the designer behind this color-blocked room. If you want to try color-blocking, go for two shades that oppose (read: complement) each other on the color wheel.Related StoryWallpaperRead McKendreeIf you’re committing to dressing up the ceiling in a luxurious wallpaper, don’t do something boring that no one will notice. Go with a pattern that commands some love. “I prefer a wallpapered ceiling over a wallpapered accent wall any day. Whereas wallpapering accent walls can look like you ran out of money to complete the room, an accent ceiling looks complete and purposeful,” explains West Hartford, Connecticut-based Jeanne Barber, who designed the room shown here. “It also helps draw the eye up to an area that is so often ignored and creates interest and height in any room,” she adds.Dark and MoodyEric LuceroDenver-based Miranda Cullen, founder and principal at Inside Stories, is known for her bold and dramatic interiors that exude utter sophistication, so it should come as no surprise that her preferred palette leans dark rather than bright, as seen in this dining room. “Go bold with black for a moody, modern vibe, or keep it classic with silvers, golds, or warm tones that bounce light around the room,” she advises. “The beauty of metal is how it interacts with light—natural or artificial—creating a dynamic look that changes throughout the day.” In order to draw the eye upward, Cullen says that incorporating a metallic element is always a good idea. “While wallpaper and paint are still great options (and can even be used alongside metal for layered interest), nothing catches the eye—or the light—quite like a metallic ceiling. It’s unexpected, elevated, and just the right amount of extra.”Related StoryWraparound Erin KestenbergIf your home isn’t fitted with unique architectural elements, you can create them yourself. “One of the coolest new design tricks we’re seeing is faking architectural details with paint and wallpaper—the effect is anything but fake!” insists Fairfield, Connecticut-based Diane Rath, who employed that technique in the room above. “Wraparound wallpaper treatments call attention to ceiling height changes, making the architecture feel intentional and sculptural. Painted lines that mimic wainscoting or paneling add a timeless, grounded feel—even in contemporary spaces. It’s bold, creative, and far easier than a full renovation. Proof that smart design can be both stylish and simple.”Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.