How To Make Wood Paneling Look Good Without Painting

Photo: Reena Sotropa

We don't have to tell you lot trends come and go,then come dorsum once again. Afterwards all, macramé wall hangings, wicker article of furniture, and velvet haven't looked so expert since the '70s. Merely others, like wood paneling, are a bit more hard to navigate. Believe us, there'due south a fine line separating your beautiful living room from the dingy den and shabby basement installations from the past.

Don't fret. These days wood paneling can exist reinvented into something modern and non the least scrap dowdy. Since the days of shag rug and avocado appliances, the home décor staple has a whole new expect. What used to await tacky and stagnant, now adds character to any space, from rustic to gimmicky. Scroll through for the inspiration and tips you need to execute wood paneling the right way.

01 of twenty

Use It To Create Division

Panel Store

Why settle for a room divider when you tin actually divide a room? This built-in creates division, but the wood paneling works as an accent wall.

02 of xx

Update The Retro Wait

Oak & Melanin

Nosotros're large fans of the retro look, but this usually entails vintage-inspired elements, rather than actual wall coverings from xxx years ago. This room works because it incorporates an updated version of forest paneling (thin slats in a low-cal shade), paired with 70'due south inspired décor.

03 of xx

Mix Forest Profiles

Design: Figr Architecture; Photo: Derek Swalwell; Styling: Simone Haag; Furniture: Barnaby Lane

You probably already know how trendy mixed metals are, but as it turns out, you tin can exercise the same with wood. This infinite does an impeccable job at mixing the profiles of different lumbers. The lower half of this dining room boasts blonde tones of birch plywood, while the top half highlights warm tones in the wood slats. The two come together to brand this space unique and cute.

04 of 20

Install It Like Wainscotting

Pattern: Barnaby Lane; Photo: Dylan James Photograph; Styling: Justine White potato

Wood paneling doesn't need to extend upwardly to your ceiling to make a argument. Wainscotting—a type of panel molding that covers the bottom half of a wall—is the nigh classic of woods accent walls. Dressing information technology upward with a lip that doubles equally a shelf isn't a bad idea either.

05 of 20

Stain It Blackness

Barnaby Lane

We've never seen forest paneling look so mod as information technology does here. Staining information technology in a deep shade of onyx instantly ups its absurd factor. Just remember this technique can only be practical to existent wood.

06 of xx

Endeavour a Modern Arroyo

@devon_grace_interiors

The walls in this bathroom are dressed in false-wood tiles that create a stunning optical illusion. The aforementioned could be done with existent pieces of wood, but this approach is much cheaper, easier to install, and then much quicker. It's of import to ever consider alternatives when sourcing materials for your forest-paneled wall.

07 of 20

Get for Dimension

Design: Timothy Godbold; Photograph: Alec Hemer

Wood slats are no one-flim-flam pony. Turn them on their sides, place them with some separating in between each piece, and you've got yourself an expensive-looking blueprint element that transforms the wait of any room.

08 of 20

Experiment With Shiplap

Bicker Pattern

Think of shiplap equally the modern-day wood paneling. 1 day, our kids will talk virtually shiplap the style we talk about our grandma's basement. Only we're not just tooting our ain horn when we say shiplap is a much libation, not so in-your-face version of '70s paneling.

09 of 20

Embrace The Look

Amandine & Jules

Woods paneling isn't but for walls. Comprehend the look and run with information technology. A light-launder plywood on the walls, ceiling, and dining-room bench looks mod, make clean, and minimal, somehow without looking totally overdone.

x of 20

Effort Horizontal Shiplap

Trinette Reed

Shiplap is commonly installed vertically, giving you clean lines that run up and downwards a wall. Nevertheless, designing a space with horizontally installed shiplap visually stretches the room from left to right giving the illusion that it's longer. It's a elementary swap only information technology makes a major difference.

11 of 20

Create a Screen

Arianna Danielson

If there's 1 thing we want yous to learn with woods paneling it's that you can get creative with it. This forest-paneled wall is designed to work every bit a screen. Information technology creates a sectionalization in the infinite but doesn't completely act as a wall. Separation between the wood panels creates a beautiful illusion that allows calorie-free and energy to flow through freely.

12 of 20

Paint It

Design: Blueish Copper Design; Photo: Life Created

Just like whatever other wall in your space, forest paneling can exist painted. This sleeping room wall perfectly executes a geometric limerick, and the wooden slats just add even more dimension.

13 of 20

Endeavour Wallpaper Every bit An Alternative

Design, Photo: Anne Sage

If you long for a woods-paneled wall but currently reside in a rental, flex your interior design skills with a woodgrain wallpaper. The outcome is just as cute, but information technology'due south easily removed, much more affordable, easier to install, and gives you the illusion of textured walls. It'south a win-win.

14 of 20

Install Your Shiplap Diagonally

Black Comport Ridge

You've seen vertical and horizontal installations before simply y'all'll desire to proceed this new diagonal take on hand for renovation inspiration. Paired with horizontal-running wood on the ceiling and perpendicular beams painted black, this living-room-dining-room hybrid is a formula for pattern success.

15 of twenty

Match Information technology To Your Floors

Photograph: Reena Sotropa

Go a high-impact expect when you dress your room in flooring-to-ceiling woods. This function impeccably matches the forest panels on the wall to the hardwood floor, and the result is gorgeous.

16 of 20

Try A Rustic Stop

Trinette Reed

About woods paneling is clean and flawless. Yet, sourcing distressed wood for an accent wall will make all the deviation in your final blueprint. Aged wood brings and so much character and charm to a modern space, you'll exist transported to some other place and timezone every time you get home.

17 of xx

Take It To New Heights

Trinette Reed

We love the wood paneling on the walls in this space, but the wood paneling on the ceiling takes the cool factor of this living room up a notch.

18 of xx

Add Beams

ARBOR & CO.

The woods-paneled ceiling on its own might feel slightly dated, just the addition of beams helps brand it experience more modern. Painting them black adds a sleek factor to the space, and creates some welcome contrast.

nineteen of 20

Embrace Modern Farmhouse

Karen Emile/Milk & Honey Life

White wood-paneled walls are synonymous with a farmhouse artful, merely to keep information technology feeling more modern and less state, combine with lite wood floors. Keep décor minimalistic and purposeful, like in the room pictured.

20 of 20

Panel Built-Ins

Light & Dwell

Who says you have to wood panel your entire room? These congenital-ins feature wood paneling, which makes them pop. Since everything in the living room is neutral, the paneling also elevates the infinite and gives the heart a focal point.