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A Guide to Wall Panelling: Styles, Textures & Finishes
From classic Victorian to shabby chic, discover the many types of wall panelling
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
2 March 2018
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist. www.mangomonk.com
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist.... More
Panels can instantly elevate a wall without the typical hassles of uneven plank installations. Unlike reclaimed boards, panels come in standard-sized sheets or boards and don’t require milling, polishing or cutting. What’s more, they’re available in a wide spectrum of styles and materials, with something to suit to virtually every decor. Options include barnyard boards, Victorian square panels, board and batten siding and intricate textured designs. While some panel styles look their best laid out from floor to ceiling, others are ideal for wainscoting. Discover twelve unique panel styles in this lookbook.
Contemporary meets classic
This Mumbai dining room with transitional decor channels an eclectic vibe. A classic style of Victorian grid panelling along the back wall gets an edgy tweak where wood is used for the frames, but they hold glittering squares of custom-made mirrors instead of actual wood panels. The panelled wall sports an elegant white palette that serves as an ideal backdrop for the royal blue chairs and warm natural wood table.
This Mumbai dining room with transitional decor channels an eclectic vibe. A classic style of Victorian grid panelling along the back wall gets an edgy tweak where wood is used for the frames, but they hold glittering squares of custom-made mirrors instead of actual wood panels. The panelled wall sports an elegant white palette that serves as an ideal backdrop for the royal blue chairs and warm natural wood table.
Walnut boxes
Rich walnut box panels of various sizes, shapes and stains are juxtaposed against each other on this living room wall. The design is almost theatrical, and creates depth and visual interest at every level. The panelling isn’t just a basic wall treatment, it is an artistic production in itself and eliminates the need for additional accents or focal elements.
Rich walnut box panels of various sizes, shapes and stains are juxtaposed against each other on this living room wall. The design is almost theatrical, and creates depth and visual interest at every level. The panelling isn’t just a basic wall treatment, it is an artistic production in itself and eliminates the need for additional accents or focal elements.
Indulgent fabric
Sumptuous fabric panels can turn a plain room into a stylish abode. The accent wall in this gold-toned living room hosts a sequence of beige fabric panels bordered by nautical studs. The panels, by virtue of being so few in number, form an effective focal point and lend the room an uber-luxe appeal.
Sumptuous fabric panels can turn a plain room into a stylish abode. The accent wall in this gold-toned living room hosts a sequence of beige fabric panels bordered by nautical studs. The panels, by virtue of being so few in number, form an effective focal point and lend the room an uber-luxe appeal.
Waist-high wainscoting
Wainscoting is an ornate decorative panelling technique that gained prominence in the seventeenth century. This living room features a traditional wainscoting design, capped by a chair rail and underpinned by a baseboard. The panels here are wider than usual, urging the eye to travel horizontally. This gives the impression of a larger room.
Tip: Wainscoting can be laid out in various lengths, from waist-high to shoulder-high. Consider your overall decor while deciding on a style and height.
Wainscoting is an ornate decorative panelling technique that gained prominence in the seventeenth century. This living room features a traditional wainscoting design, capped by a chair rail and underpinned by a baseboard. The panels here are wider than usual, urging the eye to travel horizontally. This gives the impression of a larger room.
Tip: Wainscoting can be laid out in various lengths, from waist-high to shoulder-high. Consider your overall decor while deciding on a style and height.
Wooden block wall
There’s something about wood that infuses a raw, natural aesthetic to a room. See how this wall of wood exudes warmth in this dining room, while reflecting a contemporary panel scheme inspired by mid-century decor. Although the wall looks like it is composed of separate wooden blocks, there are, in fact, only six strips of panelling laid horizontally.
There’s something about wood that infuses a raw, natural aesthetic to a room. See how this wall of wood exudes warmth in this dining room, while reflecting a contemporary panel scheme inspired by mid-century decor. Although the wall looks like it is composed of separate wooden blocks, there are, in fact, only six strips of panelling laid horizontally.
Shabby chic
Distressed walls that whisper stories of early aughts of the last century are bonafide emblems of antiquity. These walls display peeling paint, and look like they could have belonged to an imperial ship sailing the far seas. The panels are made in the boiserie style and extend across the space in varying sizes.
Distressed walls that whisper stories of early aughts of the last century are bonafide emblems of antiquity. These walls display peeling paint, and look like they could have belonged to an imperial ship sailing the far seas. The panels are made in the boiserie style and extend across the space in varying sizes.
Upholstered headboard wall
Restful and luxurious, leather dresses this wall well. The grey colouring is subtly illuminated by the daylight filtering through the window, and the bench completes the dove-toned palette. The panels cover the entire wall and serve equally as an aesthetic accent and a comfortable headboard.
Tip: Consider leather, burlap, suede and a range of other materials for your headboard. Each material is capable of creating a unique vibe in the bedroom.
Restful and luxurious, leather dresses this wall well. The grey colouring is subtly illuminated by the daylight filtering through the window, and the bench completes the dove-toned palette. The panels cover the entire wall and serve equally as an aesthetic accent and a comfortable headboard.
Tip: Consider leather, burlap, suede and a range of other materials for your headboard. Each material is capable of creating a unique vibe in the bedroom.
Gold-and-white fretwork
Knock back to the classic Victorian grid panelling shown earlier and you’ll find that this wall is a play on the same panel design. Only here, the squares feature golden built-in fretwork that works as accent artwork for the wall. The ceiling is made of barn panels that comfortably envelope the space.
Knock back to the classic Victorian grid panelling shown earlier and you’ll find that this wall is a play on the same panel design. Only here, the squares feature golden built-in fretwork that works as accent artwork for the wall. The ceiling is made of barn panels that comfortably envelope the space.
Board-and-batten siding
With origins rooted in vernacular building treatment, board-and-batten siding has always been a popular panelling technique for vintage outbuildings and European cottage-style homes. This Mumbai home is a modern twist on this traditional style. In this room, the alternating broad and narrow vertical panels are sheathed in wood and mirror respectively, and form a compelling feature wall.
With origins rooted in vernacular building treatment, board-and-batten siding has always been a popular panelling technique for vintage outbuildings and European cottage-style homes. This Mumbai home is a modern twist on this traditional style. In this room, the alternating broad and narrow vertical panels are sheathed in wood and mirror respectively, and form a compelling feature wall.
Ivory elegance
These ivory MDF panels have had a custom-made, computer-designed molding emblazoned on their surface. The homeowner chose to use panels rather than apply the interlacing rectangular moulding directly, because the walls were old and might not have taken to the material evenly.
These ivory MDF panels have had a custom-made, computer-designed molding emblazoned on their surface. The homeowner chose to use panels rather than apply the interlacing rectangular moulding directly, because the walls were old and might not have taken to the material evenly.
Vanilla boiserie
The glazed French panelling in this room looks like it could be from an opulent Parisian chateau. The bespoke boiserie appears in various dimensions through the room, forming a classic shell for the green sconces and chandelier. The vanilla walls also serve to balance the dark coffee-hued parquet flooring.
The glazed French panelling in this room looks like it could be from an opulent Parisian chateau. The bespoke boiserie appears in various dimensions through the room, forming a classic shell for the green sconces and chandelier. The vanilla walls also serve to balance the dark coffee-hued parquet flooring.
Barnyard panelling
This Nordic jewel box uses barnyard panels in a deep charcoal wash to highlight the monochrome elements in front of it. The timber panels, arranged horizontally, provide a perfect backdrop for the minimalist arrangement.
Read more:
Are Upholstered Walls a New Level of Luxury?
Tell us:
How have you used wall panels in your home? Tell us in Comments below.
This Nordic jewel box uses barnyard panels in a deep charcoal wash to highlight the monochrome elements in front of it. The timber panels, arranged horizontally, provide a perfect backdrop for the minimalist arrangement.
Read more:
Are Upholstered Walls a New Level of Luxury?
Tell us:
How have you used wall panels in your home? Tell us in Comments below.
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