Beyond Paint: 7 Wooden Wall Panelling Ideas to Transform Your Room

Looking to add texture and accents to your home? Wooden wall panelling might be the way to go. With a history dating back to the 13th century, wall panelling was initially used to protect walls from everyday wear and tear, conceal wall imperfections, and act as insulation. Today, it is primarily used for decorative purposes.

There are various wooden wall panelling designs to choose from, each with its own style, pattern, and finish. In this article, we’ll share with you several wooden wall panelling ideas to suit various style preferences, ranging from traditional to modern and contemporary. By the end of this post, we hope you've found the perfect wood wall panelling design to spruce up your home!

1. Break the monotony of walls with fluted panels

Installing fluted wall panels is becoming increasingly popular in modern homes, where the panels' vertical grooves or ridges can break up the monotony of a plain wall, adding a touch of sophistication. Furthermore, the linear designs can match a wide range of design styles, from contemporary to mid-century modern, creating a timeless and elegant look.

Draw inspiration from this bedroom designed by Doubble Interior Associates, where the beautiful charcoal black wooden wall panel exudes a sense of luxury, creating a serene sleeping environment without casting a gloomy or moody ambiance over the space.

2. Opt for a timeless look with wainscoting

If you prefer to dress up only a portion of your walls, wainscoting is a great option. Wainscoting was a popular addition in 18th century homes where it was installed on the lower portion of the wall to protect them against scuffs and scratches—particularly in higher-traffic areas like mudrooms, foyers, and baths.

When installed in modern homes, wainscoting can make a space look more lived-in. Just take a cue from this living room renovated by Anwill Design, where the addition of wainscoting instantly elevates the space, especially when applied in a two-tone colour treatment that helps to anchor the room.

3. Or go for picture frame moulding for a luxe and elegant look

For a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional wall panelling, consider opting for picture frame moulding. This style is characterised by four separate strips of bevelled wood or MDF moulding arranged into square or rectangular units. Originally used in residential walls to frame portraits, this design is now installed in modern homes without artwork, as illustrated in the bedroom below designed by Space Up Design, providing a fresh and stylish twist to the traditional concept.

Or take a cue from the living room below, designed by Anwill Design where picture frame moulding helps to highlight the TV, with smaller rectangle moulding on the side lending the illusion of increased height, contributing to an elevated and sophisticated ambiance in the room.

4. Go for a board-and-batten style to give the illusion of a taller space

Board-and-batten has become a sought-after design feature in Malaysian homes. This type of wall panelling consists of narrow strips called battens installed over larger, flat boards, as illustrated in the living room below. The battens are typically 4-6 inches broad and 10 inches apart, but there are many varieties available nowadays.

Typically seen in cottage and farmhouse-style residences, board-and-batten can also complement various design styles, including contemporary spaces, due to its clean lines and seamless appearance. While traditionally installed on the lower section of walls, today's interior designers are putting an unexpected twist on the typical use of board-and-batten walls that stretch up to the ceiling, as seen in the bedroom below, renovated by Space Up Design.

5. Give your room a farmhouse chic look with shiplap style

Shiplap is a popular option for homeowners, thanks to its rustic and vintage charm and its ease of installation, as demonstrated in many DIY house renovation shows. Although shiplap is often associated with farmhouse style, this design can also blend with modern aesthetics to add interest and character to a room.

Draw inspiration from this laundry room designed by The Flying Home, where a white shiplap accent wall not only contributes to a clean aesthetic but also helps to brighten up the space and infuse it with a charming cottage vibe. Although the white hues make the wall panel difficult to notice when matched with white walls and ceilings, the horizontal lines add subtle detailing, ensuring that the shiplap accent wall stands out as a focal point in the room.

6. Add subtle texture to a room with beadboard

Beadboard panelling is another popular wood wall panelling option for your home. What sets it apart from other wood panels is its incorporation of vertical grooves and subtle ridges between each plank. This type of wall panel can impart a timeless and sophisticated feel to a room, making it suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and beyond. However, beadboard panelling would require extra maintenance, as the groves in the panels may accumulate grime more easily than smooth surfaces.

In this living room, Under the C Design incorporated beadedboard panelling on a section of the wall to add subtle texture and transform the wall into an eye-catching focal point of the room. Meanwhile, the light wooden hue harmonises with other elements in the space, such as the brown curtain and the beige walls.

7. Add a unique pattern with geometric wall paneling

Wood panelling doesn't necessarily need to follow a strictly vertical or horizontal orientation. You can also experiment with geometric design to create a distinctive look in a room. The versatility of geometric designs provides room for creative expression and personalisation, allowing homeowners to choose designs that align with their personal style and complement the overall theme of the space.

Take a cue from the dining area above, where RL Designs turned a blank wall into a statement feature wall that makes for a good dinner conversation starter with a strategic arrangement of geometric panels that contributed to an overall stylish and contemporary aesthetic.

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