Wall panelling comes in many styles and offers countless design possibilities. Whether you love the elegance of traditional wainscoting or want to extend panels onto the ceiling for extra impact, here are key tips to help you style it confidently.
Benefits of Wall Panelling
Practical
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Acoustic panels help reduce noise by absorbing sound, creating a calmer home.
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Panelling can disguise uneven or damaged walls and protects high-traffic areas such as hallways.
Visual
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Panels add depth and texture, helping define focal points in a room.
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Natural wood panelling brings warmth and a relaxed, organic feel.
Types of Wall Panelling
Geometric
Bold and contemporary, geometric designs come in many shapes—or you can create your own custom layout.
Wainscoting
The most classic form of panelling, wainscoting uses wooden mouldings to form box-style panels. It can be full height or sit on the lower portion of a wall with a dado rail and neatly arranged rectangular sections.
Beadboard
Appearing like narrow wooden planks, beadboard is actually a solid sheet with carved grooves. It’s ideal for cosy, cottage-style interiors.
Slatted
Made from evenly spaced vertical or horizontal planks, slatted panelling works beautifully in Scandinavian-inspired spaces. It also includes acoustic versions for improved sound control.
Shiplap
With overlapping horizontal boards inspired by ship cladding, shiplap offers a clean, rustic look suitable for both walls and ceilings.
Panel Placement
Decide whether to cover an entire wall or use panelling as an accent.
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Wainscoting typically covers the bottom third of a wall, keeping the upper section plain.
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Slatted panelling can create a stylish faux headboard.
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Lightweight panels can even be installed on ceilings for a dramatic canopy-style finish.
Panel Colour
Once fitted, choose whether to make the panels stand out or blend in.
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A bold colour creates a striking feature.
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Painting the panels the same shade as the wall adds texture while maintaining a seamless, subtle look.
For all your timber needs this festive season, contact the experts at Johnsons on 0121 706 0404 or email sales@johnsonstimber.co.uk.