Have you ever walked into a home and admired the wall paneling, but found yourself unsure of its name or type? With so many options to choose from, it can get confusing to know what exactly you’re looking at since each panel option has its own unique style and features. From classic beadboard to modern shiplap, let’s explore some popular options and their defining characteristics.
Types of Wall Paneling
- Shiplap: Known for its overlapping boards, shiplap creates a smooth, uniform appearance that works well in both rustic and modern homes. Originally designed to help protect ships at sea, shiplap is now a favorite in coastal-style homes, as well as barn and farmhouse designs. It’s commonly used in living rooms and accent walls, and can even be installed on ceilings.
Photographed by: Rachel Sieben
- Wainscoting: This classic style features paneling on the lower portion of the walls, typically up to chair rail height. It’s made from various materials, and is fairly easy to install for someone with moderate carpentry skills. Like other wall paneling options, wainscoting can add protection to your walls and looks good in just about any setting–from powder rooms, hallways, living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms.
Photo Credit: Artfasad
- Board and Batten: This technique involves wide strips of wood (the “boards”) with narrower strips (the “battens”) covering the seams. This creates vertical lines and texture to the walls, and is fairly inexpensive and easy to install. Board and Batten works well in entryways and large spaces, and is commonly found in barns and farmhouse style homes.
Photo Credit: Caitlin Marie Design
- Tongue and Groove: This style uses boards with a tongue on one edge and a groove on the other, allowing for a snug fit without any visible nails. It can be installed both vertically and horizontally and is relatively cost-effective and easy to install. Tongue and Groove is popular in traditional, coastal, cottage, and modern farmhouse designs, and looks great on both ceilings and walls.
Photo Credit: DIY Wall Panelling
- Beadboard: Traditionally made from narrow vertical boards, beadboard features a distinct groove (also known as the “bead”) that runs between each panel. Beadboard is usually always installed 32-36” up the wall and is completed with a horizontal chair rail to divide the wall into sections and add a finishing touch. It is often a favorite in cottage-style homes, Victorian architecture, and Craftsman designs, and is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and dining areas–but we like to use it in mudrooms, too.
Photographed by: Rachel Sieben
- Flat Panels: Flat panels are both simple and minimalist, and consist of large smooth sheets that lie flush against the wall without any additional texture or depth. This style is ideal for both modern or contemporary designs.
Photo Credit: Smart Industries
- Raised Panels: Raised panels are one of the most popular wall paneling options and are often referred to as “shaker-style”. It features panels that are raised above the surrounding surface that creates multiple frames of the same design (typically square or rectangular). This style is commonly found in formal dining rooms and libraries, and is a sought after choice for traditional and historic colonial homes.
Photo Credit: New England Classic
- Slatted Panels: Slatted panels are usually made from plywood and have been seriously trending in recent years. This style features evenly spaced strips of wood (or other materials) that are usually about ½” or ¾” thick. It’s ideal for ceilings and accent walls to add visual appeal and we think this style looks best when finished with a natural wood stain rather than paint.
Photo Credit: Bark and Bole
As you plan your home update, take some time to consider all of these wall paneling options, since there’s a style for every aesthetic. If you need help in choosing the right wall paneling for your space, consider booking a free consultation with us today! We can help you narrow down your options and find the styles that best fits your vision and enhances your home.
