Stylish wall panelling ideas to inspire your next renovation

Wall panels come in a wide variety of styles, materials, textures, colours, finishes and more. On top of this, they can also be installed and used in different ways, opening up the possibilities even further. Below, you’ll find wall panelling ideas for the living room, dining room, bedroom and many other spaces in the home that are next on your renovation list.

If you love the look of the modern farmhouse, the warmth of wood panelling can further enhance that vibe.

This panelling can be cut and made into large panels from different styles of wood as well as different colours to match. Consistency with the type of wood used throughout the rest of the house is a great way to maintain cohesion with your overall theme.

Related article: The most popular interior design styles shaping Kiwi homes

Wainscoting is a type of panelling that is typically connected to the baseboards and shoots upwards, usually to about counter height. They are both protective and decorative and work great in many rooms, especially task-oriented spaces like the kitchen and bathroom.

One prime example is white wainscoting in the bathroom which gives a clean, sleek look that can subtly enhance the ambience of the space. It’s not a bit of decorating that will draw attention to itself but it will bring more depth to the room as well as the practical, protective benefits too.

Related article: Modern bathroom ideas from stunning New Zealand homes

If you’re lucky enough to have a home theatre and you are trying to figure out how to decorate it, fabric panelling is an excellent choice to consider. Not only will it make the room feel like a real theatre but it is also sound-absorbant to keep the surround sound in the room, rather than echoing throughout the house. They add character to a space in a theatrical way and are a must for any true cinephile.

If you want to make your space look bigger, horizontal decorative wall panelling can help you achieve that effect. Wooden beams are a natural choice but you can also consider wooden shiplap panels to create a unique reclaimed wood look on your living room or bedroom wall.

You can do this going floor to ceiling or just take it halfway up to contrast with a complementary colour or wall covering.

Related article: Exquisite wallpaper designs to inspire spaces in New Zealand homes

Speaking of taking it halfway up, half-wall wood panelling is a great way to also add a bit of class to your dining room, living room or even your home office.

This is because these rooms typically have wooden features like tables, chairs and desks that can complement this look while creating a visual partition to play off.

This type of wall panelling also adds a subtle spark of texture. The aforementioned opportunity to contrast this against a dash of paint also presents some exciting opportunities.

If you are looking to modernise the style of your kitchen, matching your wall panelling to the cabinets is a great idea. It can take your interior design to the next level, creating a natural feeling of continuity in the space.

The cabinet panelling and wall panelling will still retain some of their own unique dynamics compared to one another, but there'll be a cohesiveness in the design that will bring it all together.

Related article: A comparative guide on the best materials for functional but stylish kitchen cabinets

Wall panelling doesn't have to just be white or wood. You can use wall panelling to make a space pop with colour in a way that it otherwise wouldn't.

Many interior designers will use colour and wall panelling in this way to create expression and drama. It can bring a sense of vibrancy, energy and personality that aligns with your own preferences.

In a living room or a dining room, you can do a lot with full-panelled walls. Not only are they there to add dimension and texture to the room, but they can also be used with fun and playful interior design techniques.

One of these techniques is using full-panelled walls to disguise a door. This means that both the door and the walls have the same panelling, so when the door is closed, it looks like the wall itself.

This creates a seamless aesthetic and a great talking point for you and your guests.

When you think of wall panelling, you may often think of wood as the main material, however, there are many other options to consider. Stone wall panelling is one such example which goes hand-in-hand as an accent wall to a fireplace in a living room.

Not only will this bring a strong natural element to the room, but it will also act as an impressive centrepiece that will make you feel like you’re in a luxurious winter resort.

Related article: The pros and cons of stone cladding

If you love the rustic vibe, nothing achieves that better than barn wood wall panelling. This is great for living rooms, hangout spaces like a man cave or she-shed, or anywhere else that has a darker tone to the room. It will keep things calm, relaxed and quiet so you can enjoy moments of peace and solitude.

Related article: 10 beautiful barn houses in New Zealand

For something completely different and ultra-modern, 3D wall panelling is a sophisticated option that will create immediate dimension and depth in your living space. Regularly found in commercial contexts in corporate lobbies and even high-end restaurants, 3D wall panels can also bring strong designer qualities to the home for those looking to express themselves boldly.

Developing on the previous idea, decorative wall panels with curved designs are another great way to individualise a space. They will instantly impart modern and contemporary vibes, adding texture and depth through shadowing from artificial and natural light sources. These are also a great commercial solution for businesses wanting to establish a point of difference through design.

While panelling is primarily designed to protect walls, it also offers many stylistic opportunities as we've already seen. Another to add to the list is the potential to create a feature wall in a space as a decorative highlight. This can be done in a multitude of ways but one of the more popular trends to emerge in recent times is to incorporate wood panels in a mid-section of the wall. This creates a nice focal point which can add natural dimension to a space to give it a modern twist.

As these wall panelling ideas demonstrate, there are some outstanding options to consider for just about any room in the home. Whether it's a use of colour, panelling styles, material or texture you can enhance a space while giving your walls an extra layer of protection. It will give your home a unique point of difference adding value in numerous ways turning the ordinary into the extraordinary with natural ease.

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(This article was updated on 12th November 2024)