From grand country houses to London terraces, panelling is a trend which never goes out of fashion. Take a virtual walk through social media and you will be immersed with moody walls in living rooms, elegant hallways, cloakrooms and stylish bedrooms – showing just how versatile this trend is.
Today’s look is less about traditional formality and more about using period authenticity or contemporary flourish to bring texture and detail to a room. It can inject personality and interest to your décor, as well as bringing real warmth.
Decorative, traditional style panelling is a perfect match for period properties. Full height panelling works very well in tall entertaining spaces.
Using panels on the lower half of a wall can create an interesting colour-and-texture combination that can make a room feel bigger, or keep the panelling and wall the same colour for a more airy, contemporary feel.
Contemporary panelling adds real interest to modern interiors. You can use chevron style panelling for a feature wall or chimney breast.
Or go for something a bit more abstract:
From classical styles through to modern designs, wall panelling is the perfect way to add depth to a space. It can blend in for a more subtle backdrop or you can use a 3d effect can create a dramatic feature wall in any room.
Push latch handles on bespoke wardrobe and cupboard doors can create the illusion of a seamless wall with hidden away clever storage solutions behind it.
Panelling can also be used as a headboard behind a bed, taking up the whole of the back wall.
Panelled bathrooms and powder rooms are popular because they give a period vibe, and are often the rooms where people are less afraid to inject colour on to walls.
Panelling can make a large room feel cosy and warm, it can make a small room feel wider, and it can provide real architectural interest in busy areas such as a family hallway.
When assessing your space for panelling, consider the style based on the age of the property and the existing features of the room. To keep it fresh and modern, go for painted panelling, clean lines, minimal beading (also known as decorative moulding). Go dark to create a cocoon-like space while warmer tones are an ideal choice for social spaces.
