30 Wall Paneling Ideas That Add Amazing Character to Any Room

Board-and-Batten Paneling

white bedroom wall panels vaulted ceiling blue coverlet — Dana Gallagher

Board-and-batten is a type of wall paneling that consists of narrow strips called battens installed over larger, flat boards. It's often used in Craftsman, cottage, and farmhouse-style homes, but it can work with a wide variety of design aesthetics. Although it's typically installed on the lower portion of walls, board-and-batten extends up to the vaulted ceiling of this bedroom, delivering an unexpected twist on the traditional application.

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Painted Wood Paneling

hooks entryway hunter green wall panels boots basket — Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Vertical wood paneling delivers natural texture to walls but can appear dark and dated in large doses. Try painting it for an updated wall paneling idea. In this mudroom, a combination of deep hunter green and bright white creates a modern two-tone look.

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Farmhouse-Style Shiplap

bright shabby chic farmhouse bedroom shiplap — Anthony Masterson

Shiplap has become a hugely popular wall paneling idea that adds interest and character to any room. Although it's most closely associated with farmhouse style, shiplap walls aren't limited to rustic designs. The boards traditionally measure about 6 inches wide, but you can vary that measurement to create a fresh look, like the extra-wide boards in this bedroom.

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Tongue-and-Groove Paneling

scandinavian style wood banquette firewood — Kim Cornelison

Similar to shiplap, tongue-and-groove paneling consists of individual planks that fit together in a horizontal or vertical arrangement. In this dining area, tongue-and-groove-paneled walls display vertical lines that draw the eye upward and visually expand the room. A coat of warm white paint gives the paneling a crisp, clean look.

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Classic Wall Frame Molding

A beachy orange walled room with paneling. White couch with pink rug. — Carson Downing

Simple wall frame molding is a timeless wall paneling idea that instantly elevates a room. It adds a touch of elegance and looks just as beautiful with artwork and wall-mounted lighting as it does on its own. You can purchase pre-cut molding and either paint it the same color as the wall or use a shade that’s a step lighter or darker for a hint of contrast.

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Vertical Board-and-Batten

white stairs with black railing — Click Creative Inc.

If you want to keep a staircase wall simple and clutter-free but still want some visual interest, skip the gallery wall and opt for vertical board-and-batten. This modern staircase shows that there’s no better combination than simple design and quality materials. The vertical wall paneling idea emphasizes the upward direction of the stairs, while light oak treads maintain brightness, and a streamlined black metal railing adds contrast.

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Wood Wall Treatment

neutral bedroom white bed wood angled wall panels — John Granen

Narrow wood strips installed at an angle create a striking herringbone accent wall in this bedroom. The strips were installed with a slight gap for extra definition, and varying wood tones supply eye-catching texture. The rest of the bedroom furniture and decor were kept simple and neutral, so the wall stands out as the focal point.

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Modern Beaded-Board Wainscoting

black white bathroom double vanity gold mirrors herringbone subway tile — Nathan Schroder

When painted white or left in its natural wood finish, beaded-board wainscoting looks at home in cozy cottages and country-style interiors. However, this bathroom puts a bold spin on this traditional wood wall paneling idea with a dramatic black paint job. The dark paneling, coordinated with white tile and polished brass accents, creates a unique mix of modern and vintage glam.

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Shiplap Accent Wall

farmhouse style room modern furniture — Nathan Schroder Photography

The use of white shiplap as a wall paneling idea helps this accent wall highlight a wall-mounted fireplace in this modern living room. Because it’s the same color as the surrounding walls, it blends in seamlessly with the rest of the space, but the horizontal lines provide just enough detail and contrast to stand out and form a focal point. It creates a clean look and draws the eyes up for a sense of height and space.

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DIY Wall Paneling Idea

blue pink bedroom geometric wall panels brass poster bed — Jay Wilde

A fretwork-style pattern of trimwork adds dimension and sophistication to this bedroom wall. The DIY wall paneling idea uses round wood plaques and half-round molding to create a geometric design. Painted the same bold blue as the wall, the trimwork pattern recedes for a subtle texture.

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Colorful Board-and-Batten

Dining room with house artwork on wall — Carson Downing

Use bold color combinations to make wall paneling ideas really pop. This board-and-batten wainscoting boasts a deep teal color that makes a splash against the black wall color above. The dramatic hues give the traditional paneling an edgier look.

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Lattice Wall Treatment

Mirror above entryway bench — David Tsay

A combination of lattice and trim forms the intricate wall treatment in this entryway. The DIY design alternates between diagonal and straight grids to mimic the look of wood paneling. The lattice panels also vary in size, which creates a charming assortment of textures.

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Geometric Wall Paneling

white living room wall paneling — Helen Norman

Create a stunning focal point with a geometric wall paneling idea that adds pattern and dimension without introducing a new color. Diamond-shaped raised trim takes the place of artwork in this light and bright living room and extends past the staircase for visual continuity. Play around with shape and scale to give traditional wall paneling a contemporary twist. Instead of installing classic square trim work, go for an unexpected design statement with an oversized diamond grid.

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Picture Frame Molding

blue white modern bedroom color block wall paneling — Brie Williams

Picture frame molding can make ceilings appear taller or highlight artwork. To get this look, molding is applied to walls to create a series of frame-like boxes that can be modified to showcase particular features. In this bedroom, the picture frame molding is sized to highlight the headboard, with smaller rectangles of molding on either side to frame the matching nightstand mirrors.

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DIY Geometric Wall Paneling

teal pink bedroom soft colors geometric wall paneling — Jacob Fox

Create a geometric pattern that pops off the wall with this 3D wall paneling idea. Sketch out your design first, then install using narrow wood boards. Use a glossy paint finish for the boards to make them stand out from the wall and add dimension.

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Mudroom Wall Paneling

white mudroom with wood bench — Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Crisp, white board-and-batten is a bright and welcoming wall paneling idea for a small mudroom. This type of treatment consists of thin wooden strips extending from floor to ceiling, creating a grid-like pattern. To continue the cottage-inspired aesthetic, dark herringbone-pattern tile, warm wood accents, and textured wicker baskets complete the space.

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Two-Tone Wood Paneling

white bathroom with shiplap paneling — Kritsada Panichgul

White-washed vertical wood paneling meets brown horizontal panels, whose color is repeated on the door frame and mirror. Interesting wall paneling is a clever and inexpensive way to pack a lot of visual interest into a small bathroom. To update existing wood paneling, take cues from this space and layer it with a few horizontal planks, paint them a contrasting color, and continue that same paint color onto the trim and door and window frames.

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Unique Wall Paneling Ideas

wooden dresser in front of glass panes — Brie Williams

Combine wall paneling ideas with mirrors for even more visual depth. This homeowner installed a grid of molding over an existing mirrored wall to boost character. If you already have trimwork in place, consider attaching mirrors cut to fit inside the panels to create the illusion of more space.

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Rustic Wood Paneling

bedroom with wood paneling and black, gray and white accents — John Bessler

Warm-toned wood paneling sets a cozy scene and doubles as a headboard in this modern rustic bedroom. Its slight color variations and organic texture bring warmth and character, while a neutral color palette of black, gray, and white allows the natural materials to shine. A great design trick for an elevated look is to juxtapose contrasting styles and materials, such as layering black-and-white photographs and minimalist wall sconces against a mountain cabin-style wood paneled wall.

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Raised Trimwork

bright living room white walls panels arched doorway — Brie Williams

Raised trim with beveled edges reinforces this living room's traditional look. The series of rectangles elevates plain white walls with added dimension and style. For a more contemporary wall paneling idea, choose trim with flat edges or opt for an orderly grid pattern of squares instead of rectangles.

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Stained Wood Paneling

Dark stained wood paneling gives this bedroom a sophisticated, traditional air. The raised trim and combination of horizontal and vertical rectangles add dimension and pattern. The rich wood tone is a dramatic backdrop for an antique-style brass mirror and wall sconce and a more modern, clean-lined, upholstered bed.

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Beaded-Board Walls

black white farmhouse bedroom buffalo check wall panels — Christina Schmidhofer

Beaded-board showcases thin strips of wood with a small ridge (called the bead) in between. The vertical grooves typically give off a traditional look and can be installed as wainscoting or across the entire wall. Here, beaded-board topped with crown molding adds subtle texture to this cozy bedroom.

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Fireplace Wall Millwork

A green living room with several lamps and a brick fireplace — Max Kim-Bee

Elegant millwork surrounds a rustic stone fireplace surround in this green living room. For a seamless and integrated look, paint paneling the same color as the walls. To create a fully immersive and dramatic effect, especially when using a darker paint color, go a step further and extend the color onto molding and window and door trim.

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Reclaimed Wood Plank Wall

modern farmhouse wood panels staircase sideboard — Nathan Schroder

Install reclaimed wood boards in a shiplap pattern for a rustic wall paneling idea. The wood's varying textures and tones add one-of-a-kind charm to a living room or bedroom accent wall. Exposed nailheads, knots, cracks, scuffs, and other markings add to the character.

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Horizontal and Vertical Wood Paneling

Living room with black accent wall — John Bessler

A mixed horizontal and vertical wood paneling idea sets a casual tone in this charming living room. Wood planks cover every wall, including the floor and ceiling, and to pull that off effectively, follow these two rules: switch up the direction of the paneling and use two or more shades of the same paint color for subtle differentiation and contrast.

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Painted Wall Paneling

dark gray painted living room walls — James Nathan Schroder

Deep charcoal wall paneling makes a dramatic statement here, putting a modern spin on a traditional architectural feature. The repetition, direction, size, and positioning of the rectangles draw attention to the room’s tall ceiling, which is emphasized by floor-to-ceiling curtain panels and transom windows.

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Colorful Wainscoting

a green room with plant decor and and orange couch — Carson Downing

Wainscoting typically covers the bottom half or third of a wall in a formal space such as a living or dining room. It often incorporates a chair rail that isn’t just decorative but designed to protect the walls from scuffs and scratches. Incorporate this classic wall accent into a modern space by painting it a bold color and using different hues for subtle contrast.

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Farmhouse Shiplap Wall

Bedroom with shiplap white walls, navy headboard, aqua side table and blue/white accents; Blanket and pillows on bed against shiplap wall with decor — Jim Franco

You can’t go wrong with a shiplap accent wall for a modern farmhouse aesthetic. The horizontal wood planks are a wall paneling idea that adds just enough definition and interest. The paneling’s soft and subtle nature makes it a beautiful choice for any room in your home. For a surprise infusion of color, pair a white shiplap wall with an unexpected ceiling color, such as this blue, that ties the whole bedroom together.

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Reclaimed Wood Paneling

gray bedroom with orange accents and pendant lights hanging on both sides of bed — Amy Purdy

Planks of reclaimed wood installed in different directions make up this rustic bedroom accent wall. Cool shades of gray, warm browns, natural knots, and wood grain offer plenty of visual interest and variation. To brighten up all the heavy wood elements, a square canvas depicting a sweet bird’s nest breaks up the dark wall and pulls the crisp white from the bed linens and walls.

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Horizontal Wood Paneling

houseplants near sofa with throw pillows — Adam Albright

Highlight a built-in bench in a hallway, bedroom, or breakfast nook by installing horizontal wood paneling above it. Instead of painting the wall paneling, use an assortment of colorful textured throw pillows that can be switched out seasonally. This wall paneling idea creates the illusion of a back to lean against and draws attention to this built-in feature.