Types of Wall Panels and How to Design them

Wall panel is a popular wall covering in recent years that can add an attractive design touch to your home while covering up seams, gaps, and other surface imperfections in your walls. While some types of wall panel come in simple styles, there are also a variety of options available with intricate details that suit both traditional and modern homes.

Compared with other wall decorations, wall panels have smooth lines and unique texture, which can be the finishing touch in improving the overall visual experience and quality of the room. Not only are there a wide range of colors to choose from, but the patterns are realistic and the decorative effect is good, creating a unique wall.

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Quarterly Retail Sales of Paint, Wallpaper and Related Supplies in Canada from 2014 to 2019(In Million Canadian Dollars)

Details: Canada; StatCan; Q1 2014 to Q4 2019

This statistic shows the quarterly retail sales of paint, wallpaper and related supplies in Canada from 2014 to 2019. Sales of paint, wallpaper and related supplies amounted to approximately 710.44 million Canadian dollars in the fourth quarter of 2019.

I. Classification of wall panels

According to the decoration design size of the wall panels, they can be roughly divided into three categories: full wall panels, wooden batten skirts and hollow wall panels.

①Whole wall panel

Full wall panels are the most basic style of wainscoting. As the name suggests, wall panels are made by styling an entire wall with wainscoting. The complete wall panel will include decorative panels, top lines and skirting lines. In addition to being used in living rooms, bedrooms and other scenes, whole wall panels are also commonly used as background walls or invisible doors.

②Wooden wall skirt

To put it simply, the wooden slat dado is the wainscoting for only the lower half of the wall. The common style is that the bottom is floor-to-ceiling, and the area from the top to the roof is left blank, and the edges are closed with the waistline. And decorate the empty spaces with other materials. Wall skirts are mostly divided into even shapes and are often used in public areas, such as corridors, stairwells and other spaces. The common height of general dado is 900mm-1200mm.

③Hollow wall panels

The design method of hollow wall panels is not much different from that of full wall panels and dado skirts. The main feature is that other decorative materials are used instead of wood veneer in the middle, making the overall effect more transparent. The area without wainscoting in the middle is also convenient for adding other soft furnishings to enhance the functionality and practicality of the area. Commonly used in video rooms, bedrooms and other spaces.

In addition, wall panels also differ in shape, and different shapes are suitable for different design styles.

①Long type

The vertical strips can visually stretch the vertical height of the space, making the interior look more open and atmospheric.

②Stripe type

Striped wainscoting is more versatile and is a commonly used type. It is not only suitable for entire wall panels, but also for wall skirts and central control wall panels.

③Well grid type

Through the three-dimensional effect, the well grid type can prevent the wall’s monotony and enhance the room’s design sense. Especially when the home design colors are too close, grid-shaped wainscoting can add an eye-catching detail to the home invisibly.

These 6 types are not completely separate and independent, and can be mixed and matched according to your own preferences after communicating with the designer.

II. Is wood paneling going out of style?

Of course we usually find traditional style dark wood wall paneling in older historic buildings, these panels complement it and are simply of its time, some may consider it outdated but should be celebrated , maintain and remain primarily in the original form in which it was created.

We then see more modern, contemporary and timeless geometric forms of wood wall paneling that will help us create lighter, warmer, customized and characterful natural interior aesthetics while improving acoustics, microclimate and our psyche Positive impact on , emotional and physical health.

In addition to making sure the design is appropriate for the period of your home, there are other aesthetic considerations. Where the full height is not used, paneling often looks best at one-third or two-thirds of the room’s height, although this may be affected by features such as fireplaces or window sills.

III. Wall panel creativity

1. Match open spaces to the style of panels and cabinets

If you have an open kitchen with different areas that flow into each other, you may create a seamless sense of continuity and harmony by matching similar DIY shaker-style cabinets with matching paint colors. The proportional difference between the paneled cabinets and wall panels will give a dynamic element for increased impact, making your space feel larger.

2. Update traditional paneling with modern hues

Give your entire scheme a fresh look with wood paneling painted in 2024 paint color trends for a contemporary style. You can also paint your window and door frames the same accent shade for a defined aesthetic with pops of color differentiation. This painting idea is a more subtle way to introduce mood-enhancing color into a space without overwhelming it.

3. Choose panels instead of tiles for quick updates

In addition to providing visual appeal, wall panels are quick to install and low maintenance, making them a popular alternative to bathroom tile ideas.

Large wall sections may be covered quickly with bathroom wall panels—much faster than with ceramic tiles. A major plus for people with hectic schedules is that the panels are simple to install straight into an existing surface without the need for grouting. This also makes the surface easy to maintain.

4. Use bold colors to add personality

Show off your color bravery! You may still experiment with texture and unique paint colors using paneling. The appearance is also more balanced with stronger reds, oranges, and vivid blues on horizontal wood paneled walls.

Paneling is a simple way to bring character and dimension to a boring room, as well as adding insulation and protection to the walls. Use paneling to frame a piece of art in the center of one of the rectangles, or use contrasting wall panels in a luxurious texture like marble to make your space look more elegant.

5. Bring a natural touch to walls

Raised textures on your walls will bring nature inside your house, offering coziness, an organic design, and a comforting element. There will be an increase in weaving textures and natural materials in spring design trends. The customer understood the value of organic design and a color palette inspired by nature to achieve a cozy yet modern aesthetic.

Homeowners are also taking advantage of the tactile trend, experimenting with textures as well as patterns and colors in interior design. There are many ways that touch can be incorporated into a room, and it’s much easier than you think. From wood-paneled walls to cozy rugs, getting creative with materials can completely change the mood of any room.

6. Match wood with wallpaper

The best wallpaper ideas often come on their own, but if you choose a busy or floral pattern, pairing it with classic wall paneling can actually complete the look and add more zest to a traditional room that needs it most.

7. Wallpaper Paneling

Another way to get creative with wallpaper and wall panel is to wallpaper the paneling. If you need a quick cure for distressed wood paneling that you inherited, this is the perfect do-it-yourself project since the exposed grooves and trim will give every place some visual appeal.

8. Enhance a space with three-dimensional paneling

To enhance a space with wall panels, unconventional wall panel layouts and combinations are possible using our versatile 2D and 3D wall panels, which can also help preserve a sense of space in small rooms.

With the help of these contemporary paneling systems, imaginative minds can design and execute unique feature wall fixtures that, when used sparingly, complement small spaces rather than overpower them and still have the beneficial acoustic, microclimatic, and health effects we should be incorporating into our rooms.

9. Tall hallway wall panels

Half wall paneling on the staircase matches the rest of the hallway, perfectly tying the tall look of this entryway together.

10. Add character to new construction with boards and battens

The board and batten paneling feels modern enough for a new home while still adding a touch of character to the space, paint the trim a bold color for added charm.

11. Spice up the bedroom with earthy solutions

One of our favorites on the color card, Deep Yellow delivers a fiery hue that’s reminiscent of delicious saffron, cumin, and turmeric.

Each of these spices has potent anti-oxidant and mood-enhancing qualities. Thus, including color into your home’s design and nutrition can improve your mood on a mental and physical level!

Combine wood wall panels with bulky, warm-toned textiles, or add a busy pattern on an accent wall to create a cozier master bedroom idea. Particularly mustard and ochre will add coziness to any space.

If the concept of a feature wall is met with reluctance, another ultra-modern method to modernize your bedroom space is to create a statement ceiling. Bright yellow complements most other hues, especially vivid ones like red or blue.

12. Add yellow to paneling (or fake it with wallpaper)

A period bedroom decor is made more sophisticated with the addition of paneling. However, if your wall panel is white, it’s time to think about defying convention and using a wild color palette, like yellow!

However, if your bedroom doesn’t have these features, replicas are the way to go. This wallpaper with a wood paneling effect means you can combine the flexibility of wallpaper and create a classic Georgian elegance.

V. Conclusion

Different types of wall panels have their own unique characteristics and applicable scenarios, and can be selected according to personal preferences, decoration style, budget and actual needs. In terms of creative design of wall panels, you can create a unique and artistic wall effect through color matching, pattern selection, material combination, etc., adding infinite charm to the indoor space.

When choosing the type and design of wall panels, it is recommended to fully consider the needs and living habits of family members to ensure that the selected wall panels are both beautiful and practical and meet actual needs. We hope that the wall panel types and creative design solutions provided in this article can provide some reference and inspiration for your interior decoration, making your home more comfortable, personalized and artistic. If you have any other ideas about wall panel design, please feel free to contact us!