Wood panelling was once considered the preserve of stately homes and quaint country cabins. However, wall panels have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years. Thanks to inexpensive materials and DIY-friendly tongue and groove panelling, it’s never been easier to enhance your interiors with wood panels.

If you’re looking to add texture to a dining room, hallway wall or living room space, wall panelling ideas are well worth considering. If you’re decorating a period property, a more traditional style can restore your home to its former glory. In a more contemporary space, half-wall panelling is perfect for nailing that modern rustic aesthetic.

However, if you’re looking to install wall panelling, you’ll need to think carefully about colour choices. Dark panelling can leave a small room feeling swamped. For a more modern twist, think about coating your panels with a light shade or neutral paint colour.

What is Wall Panelling?

Wood panelling comes in many forms. Individual planks or larger panels can be installed to cover unsightly or uneven walls, without you having to carry out any major restoration work. Some people even use wood panels to conceal things like exposed wiring and pipework.

However, wood panels aren’t just functional. They can significantly improve the design credentials of a room. An entire wall clad in wood planks or panels will create depth and drama. Does wall panelling mean you can’t play around with colour? Absolutely not. If you use half-wall panels, you can create effective contrast by painting the upper section of your walls with a colour of your choice.

Premium panels tend to be made from solid wood like walnut or oak. However, more affordable options can be made from materials like MDF. As well as being cheap, this material can be readily customised with a new coat of paint. Ideal if you’re looking to experiment with more contemporary styles.

As well as being easy on the eye, wood panelling can enhance the insulation properties of a room. It also brings acoustic benefits, serving as soundproofing. If you live in a busy household or want to add a buffer between you and noisy neighbours, wall panels are the perfect solution.

Full Height or Half Height Wall Panelling?

Full-height panels are a good idea if your rooms are on the large side. However, even if your layout is fairly limited, you can still embrace full-height panels. Think about using a full-height panel on a single wall to create a dramatic focal point. If you’d rather keep paneling to a minimum, think about using a wood panel headboard in the bedroom instead.

The only downside here is that full-height panels tend to be more expensive. However, you can keep costs low by using less pricey materials and more pared-back designs. Installation can also be a challenge. If you’re looking to make a saving, opt for DIY-friendly solutions like tongue and groove panels instead.

Halfway panelling, otherwise known as wainscoting is a more traditional approach. This interior design trend became popular in the Netherlands in the 14th century. Originally used to protect walls from accidental damage, it’s an easy way to add some visual interest to your vertical surfaces.

You can use wainscoting in a kitchen to accentuate wooden cupboard doors. Alternatively, use it in dining rooms to add a sense of sophistication. It can even be put to use in a hallway space if you’re keen to move away from an all-neutral palette.

Six Stunning Colours for Wall Panelling

Looking for some wall panelling inspiration? Whether you’re a traditionalist or want to put a modern twist on things, these six colours are perfect for enhancing those wooden surfaces. 

Grey is a great colour choice for wall panelling. A dark grey shade can enhance a contemporary feature wall, while a more muted shade can work wonders in a more traditional setting.

Try something like Bungalow G500 if you want to bring some cooler tones to a room. This pale grey has some subtle blue undertones, which will work wonderfully with a wide range of wall colours. If you’re using half-wall panelling, stick to an off-white or icy neutral to take care of the rest of your surfaces.

Were you thinking about something lighter? How about Necklace F428? This pale grey is perfect for a space you want to keep bright and airy. What’s more, it pairs beautifully with neutral paint colours, leaving you with a sprawling blank canvas for displaying wall art and mounted accessories.

Sage green is another superb choice for wall paneling. It brings the same grounding energy as natural wood, making it a good idea if you’re keen to capture a sense of calm and tranquillity.

In a contemporary living space or dining room, a medium sage like River Thames Green will work well. It’s perfect for half-wall panels but light enough that it can be used to coat full-sized ones as well. What’s more, grey undertones give you plenty of flexibility when choosing a complementary shade for the rest of your walls.

If you’d rather go a shade darker, try something like Nephrite N494. This eye-catching sage green works particularly well with monochromes. If you want to avoid standard white, think about pairing it with earthy colours or seafoam greens.

Painting wall panels in rich blue can transform a space. A stunning alternative to classic black or grey, deep blue delivers the intensity you need for a living space or dining room.

If you want to create contrast with a light blue or neutral wall, think about using Indigo L429. This inky blue shade is incredibly stylish, working nicely with pared-back panels and more ornate designs alike.

For a slightly more muted hue, try Petrol S491. This cadet blue is dark and intense, but it’s not so saturated that it can’t work well in a smaller room finished with wood panels.

It’s tempting to go dark when choosing paint colours for panels. However, a soft neutral can prove just as effective, especially if you’ve installed more ornate planks and panels.

A light bone like Parchment F466 will let those intricate details shine through. With hints of warm pink, this paint colour pairs incredibly well with everything from off-white to chocolate brown.

For a more tranquil interior, try using Damask F485. This classic white hue will give all types of wood paneling an instant refresh. Despite being an off-white, there’s still a warming quality to enjoy here.

Coating your wood panels in black is a daring design choice, but it can make a stylish statement, particularly in a contemporary home. Paired with white or grey walls, black wall paneling will put a fresh twist on a monochromatic design scheme.

If you’re keen to avoid solid black, try a colour like Milkyway V493 instead. Although this black hue is on the dark side, it’s enriched with some moody blue undertones.

There’s also Blackbird Y493 to think about. This charcoal black is an obvious choice for a more modern interior and pairs nicely with off-whites, neutrals, and grey paint colours.

Traditionally feminine colours can also be used to uplift your wood panels. Using something light pink will bring some playful energy to your panelling, while also adding warmth to your interiors.

A light dusty pink like Pavillion X417 is ideal for bedrooms or living spaces with wood panelling. It’s a fairly sophisticated take on pink, so think about pairing it with blush tones or luxurious ochre hues.

Another option is Rosy Moment V413. This rose pink hue boasts a neutral base, making it very versatile indeed. Searching for a winning shade to balance things out? Use a barely-there neutral enriched with a hint of pink or red.