- Wood wall panels are desirable again in modern-day homes.
- They can come in a variety of tones, finishes, and widths.
- Think of them as an anchor for large rooms or a cozy feature in small spaces.
If you picture any room from the 1970s, there’s likely one design aspect that comes to mind—wood wall paneling, and lots of it. These panels had their day in the sun throughout the decade, but began to decrease in popularity, and became—dare we say—tacky.
But among today’s interior design trends, what was once “cringe” is now reigning supreme, thanks to bygone eras making their return and homeowners purposely leaning into old-fashioned looks. Wood panels certainly fit that bill.
“Wood wall paneling consists of individual planks of natural material such as oak, cedar, or walnut, and installed in lieu of drywall or stone on interior walls,” explains interior designer Raili Clasen.
They can also be made of engineered wood or composite with a thin veneer of wood, such as walnut or Luan as the top layer, says Karen Nepacena, principal designer of Destination Eichler and author of Midcentury Modern Style: An Approachable Guide to Inspired Rooms.
The Popularity of Wood Wall Panels
Back in the day, wood paneling was often used in homes, but not from real wood or wood planks, but instead large sheets manufactured to look like wood planks,” says Nepacena.
But this time around, the trend is to use real-deal wood panels. “There is a really calming and grounding characteristic when it comes to natural wood, so people might be gravitating toward bringing this cozy feeling into their spaces to counter bright whites and neutrals,” says Nepacena.
Types of Wood Panels That Are Trending
Warm wood tones, such as walnut panels, are popular right now since they “can bring a comforting feel to a space,” says Nepacena. Modern slat styles are also prevailing, which provide “lines and geometry” in a space, she says.
Clasen gravitates toward vertical boards that are 5- to 6-inches wide, which are a “slightly different width than a wood floor, and definitely not a matching finish,” she says.
How to Style Wood Wall Panels
✔️ Consider a large room. “Wood paneling can provide a nice grounding effect in a large room, such as a great room living area,” says Nepacena.
✔️ Or go for small spaces. Add wood walls in “special places” like entryways and small bathrooms, suggests Clasen. “This gives a sense of a special accent, as if you have arrived in a thought-out space,” she adds.
✔️ Create an accent wall. As a twist on painted accent walls, people are increasingly turning to wood paneling for a single “feature wall,” says Nepacena.
✔️ Aim for a cozy feel. “Wood panels can also be lovely in bedrooms, as a way to create a warm and relaxing space, almost a cocoon feeling,” Nepacena.
✔️ Refresh existing paneling. Let’s say that you’ve been “blessed” with existing wood paneling in your vintage home (yes, we know that wood paneling used to be considered a curse!). These days, designers are saying that wood panels are worth saving—it just might need a glow-up. “If the wood can be salvaged, a quick sanding will modernize the planks and take away the shiny finish used decades ago,” says Clasen.
Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer who frequently covers home design and decor for national publications. She has worked as a full-time freelance writer for over a decade, and has worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, writing home tours, interviewing top designers, and beautifying her own home. She holds a master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and when she's not writing, you can find her at thrift stores and flea markets, running, or exploring local trails in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and corgi, Dolly.
