The power of a feature wall: how to fully utilise decorative wall panels

What’s the first thing you notice visually when you walk into a home? It may be the floor if you’re focusing on taking off your shoes; it may be a particularly striking decorative ornament near the entryway; it may be an ornate chandelier dangling delicately from the ceiling.

Some homes may have a certain item that’s designed to catch your eye when you walk in, but every home shares a common feature that’s always at eye level, and surrounds and envelopes you as you enter: walls.

Walls are one of the most significant mediums through which to express ourselves in our homes – it’s where we hang our art, display our most cherished memories, document our achievements. Of course the decorative function of a wall doesn’t stop with what we hang on it – the wall itself can act as an aesthetic statement.

Typically this is achieved through paint, wallpaper or tiles. But it doesn’t need to be limited to such ordinary fixtures.

Whether it’s a feature wall or an entire side of the house, decorative wall panel systems can fulfil the urge to do something different. And products like Plytech’s Maestro Latt system are the answer to this increasingly sought after niche.

The range is a collection of unique decorative vertical wall panels that aims to cut through the monotony of monotonal painted walls. Henk Kamsteeg, Business Development Manager for Plytech, says vertical lines are a tried and true method of adding depth and character to a room, elongating the space while also drawing the eye.

“The Maestro Latt offers a very different look and feel to a simple painted surface,” says Kamsteeg. “It’s especially effective when used to break up a large surface as a feature wall. The vertical panels introduce both texture and a new spatial element – lengthening the room and making a space look taller.”

The range comes in six different designs so as to better match it to a room’s existing colour palette – ranging from wood and stone finishes to plain black and white. But the benefits don’t stop at just aesthetics.

For one, the Maestro Latt was designed with acoustics in mind. When sound waves coming from inside the room make contact with the panels, instead of being entirely reflected, they are partially collected between the grooves of each panel – ensuring less echo and an overall boost in the quality of audio.

Then there’s the ease of installation. Many aspiring home renovators may be put off by the initial idea of creating a feature wall – often the materials required make it much harder to install than a simple coat of paint or layer of wallpaper. The Maestro Latt tackles this by ensuring anyone can install it with ease – regardless of the condition of the underlying surface.

DIYers can either glue the vertical panels directly onto the wall, or attach the panels to a wooden frame – with the latter method, users can also easily remove the panels in the future.

“The panels have a profile on the edges, so that one slots into the next, creating a perfect seamless wall,” says Kamsteeg. “Panels can either be glued or fixed using staples on the lip of the panel so the mechanical fixings are hidden when the next panel is slotted in – it’s a true DIY-friendly product.”

This isn’t the only way the range aims to future-proof itself. In particularly sun-drenched rooms, traditional wooden materials and products are always at risk of discoloration if in continual direct sunlight. The Maestro Latt panels, on the other hand, are specifically designed to withstand harsh UV rays – ensuring the maintenance of the panel’s colour and lustre.

The decorative film that provides the panels with UV protection serves a dual purpose: it also prevents the need finishing or maintenance – saving homeowners both time and effort down the line.

Sustainability is at the heart of Plytech’s business, and this carries through to all its products – and it’s no different with the Maestro Latt. The panels are made of recycled timber that has been certified by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), a leading global alliance of national forest certification systems that recognises timber producers and suppliers that interact with the industry sustainably.

The panels are also designed to be easily recyclable: since they are easily removable and made to last, after a stint as a feature wall in one home they can be relocated quickly and simply – thereby lessening the chances of the product ending up in landfill.

“Just as they’re easy to install, they’re also easy to take down and install elsewhere,” says Kamsteeg. “Most of our products are in situ long term – but if they do need to move, we ensured that it’s as easy as possible.”

Learn more about Plytech and its Maestro Latt range of decorative wall panels.