Wall panelling

An historic design feature, wall panelling first became popular during the Georgian era (around early 1714 to 1837).

Typically applied halfway up or covering the entire wall, the panels tended to have angular, raised groove detailing – known as panel moulds – and were painted in light, neutral colours.

Modern-day bedroom panelling takes on a variety of shapes and colours and is often used on a feature wall to really showcase your bed. We’ve collated some of our favourite wall panelling designs so you can bring this modern-classic trend into your boudoir.

Vertical wooden slat wall panelling

Simple yet great for making a subtle statement, wooden slat wall panelling is a contemporary choice that suits a variety of interior themes such as Scandi, Japandi and Texture.

You can buy slat panels ready-made or do some DIY. Either way, these slim vertical slats create the illusion of a higher ceiling and offer an extra layer of insulation.

We’ve placed our Hart bed frame against a panelled feature wall to lengthen the appearance of the slanted ceiling. The large windows allow light to flood in and the compact bed frame comes with built-in bedside tables and storage drawers to make the most of the available space.

Shaker wall panelling

According to Real Homes, shaker wall panelling is ‘one of the most popular DIY upgrades homeowners are making today’.

This wall panel look is made up of evenly spaced slats in a squared pattern. Often painted in bright or deep shades, this style adds depth and character to plain walls and is most suited to spacious areas with high ceilings.

Our Detroit bed frame (pictured above) has been placed in an open and spacious room with white walls and slate blue shaker panelling. Applied two-thirds of the way up the walls, the deep shade adds high contrast between the white and the polished oak flooring.

Wainscoting panelling

Traditionally, wainscoting runs only to dado rail height (also known as chair rail) and is often rectangular in shape.

Other than providing decoration, it was also used to add insulation and protect the walls from knocks and scuffs. Modern-day wainscoting is more about the aesthetics and can be applied higher up the walls. Painted in whatever colour suits your interior theme, these panels will add a premium feel.

Check out our Holmes bed frame pictured above. It’s placed in front of a feature wall with pale green wainscoting placed two-thirds of the way up the off-white walls. The seafoam hue of the velvet-finish bed frame stands out beautifully against this fresh and bright bedroom.

Period home renovation? How to restore wooden wall panelling

If you’re in the process of renovating your period home and want to restore the original wooden wall panelling, there are several steps you can take.

Follow our mini guide to help you get stuck in:

1. Clean up

If you have faded plain wooden panels, sometimes, a thorough clean is all that’s necessary to bring back the lustre. Use an oil soap to remove any built-up grime and apply with a large slightly damp sponge. Use a dry cloth to soak up excess moisture.

Once cleaned, apply some lemon oil – this works wonders on natural wood. Apply by pouring a small amount onto a sponge and carefully work it into the wood.

2. Remove scratches

Minor nicks and scratches can mostly be covered with wood stain and a cotton bud. Simply apply a little stain, then wipe away any excess with a dry cloth.

3. Fix gouges

If you have large chips or gouges in the wood, these can be fixed with some wood putty and wood stain. Simply apply the putty as instructed, let it dry, then sand it down and apply some stain to camouflage it.

4. Re-stain completely

If you’re having trouble finding a wood stain that matches, re-staining is your only option. Use a mild stripper to remove the old finish and then sand down. Once the old finish is removed, clean the planks with a mild detergent and let them dry. Apply your new stain of choice. Once the stain has dried, you can seal the planks with specialist oil to protect the restored wood.

We hope you found this post inspiring. Check out our bedroom solutions category for more helpful articles.