The transformative effect bedroom wall panelling ideas can have on how a space looks and feels to spend time in should not be underestimated – introducing this feature really can turn a boring bedroom into a dreamy, charming spot in which to begin and end the day.
Using wall panelling ideas has long been a popular way of adding depth, character and even colour to a room but, in recent years, there have been some really striking modern developments that mean this is no longer a finish seen as the reserve of period or country-style properties. There are even wall panelling products out there that incorporate practical features such as insulation and lighting.
If you are about to embark on a bedroom refresh or renovation, make sure you take the time to explore all the wall panelling options available – I've discovered that there are some brilliantly creative ways to use this well-loved wall finish.
1. Use a jewel-hued grid pattern for regal bedroom panelling
If you are keen to inject a little heritage charm into your bedroom design scheme, you can't go wrong with a classic grid pattern.
Pleasingly symmetrical, you can choose to cover the entirety of your walls in grid panelling, use it on one wall (the one that your bed sits against usually works well) or use it just midway or three quarters of the way up the wall.
For a rich, warm finish, paint the panelling a strong, jewel-toned shade, such as sea blue, burgundy or emerald green and pair it with patterned soft furnishings in matching hues.
Create a classic Shaker look with this kit. It contains six 1.2m MDF strips and one kit covers approximately 1.2 square metres. You can simply buy multiple kits to cover the area you need. Can be glued, nailed or screwed to the wall.
2. Inject rustic charm with brushed wooden planks
Wall panelling is a fantastic way of adding a little rustic charm and warmth into your bedroom ideas in a modern way.
"We’re seeing a move towards more natural and textured finishes in wall panelling," reveals Ian Tomlinson, MD at Chaunceys Timber Flooring. "Rustic reclaimed timbers with pronounced knots and eye-catching grains are increasingly in demand, as they provide a more organic, tactile feel.
"Neutral and earthy tones are dominating, with lighter woods like oak or subtle stains offering a soft, contemporary look," continues Ian. "There’s also growing interest in wider boards and vertical panelling, which create a sense of height and space in a room, making them perfect for both compact and open-plan layouts."
Chaunceys Timber Flooring is a family-run company based in Bristol with Ian becoming the Managing Director in 2012. They have been supplying sustainable, high-quality timber flooring to homeowners, award-winning architects, design and build companies, and renowned interior designers since 1988.
3. Soundproof your bedroom with acoustic wall panels
Wall panelling isn't just a great way to add character and warmth – it can also play a practical role by helping to soundproof a bedroom.
Acoustic wall panels come in all kinds of designs and finishes, but most comprise timber or MDF panels bonded to a felt backing designed to prevent or minimise the movement of sound between spaces. The modern vertical panelling here, from Naturewall, is a good example.
"Vertical linear panelling works brilliantly in compact spaces and smaller scale projects," says Charlie Farrar, creative product manager at Naturewall: "Tongue and groove profiles are perfect for adding subtle texture without overwhelming the room, while the upward lines help draw the eye up and make the space feel taller and more open."
Featuring an acoustic felt backing to help reduce sound levels, each wall panel measures H240xW60cm. Panels can be cut to size or joined with others for taller walls. Shown in a natural oak finish.
With a First-Class Honours degree in Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design from Leeds Arts University, Charlie Farrar leads product design and development at Naturewall as Creative Product Manager. Drawing on experience in interiors, textiles, and brand design, she brings a highly creative yet commercial eye to every collection –blending material innovation with enduring style to shape Naturewall’s signature look.
4. Choose modern, lightweight materials for easy installation
Wall panelling comes in all kinds of materials, not just timber. For example, MDF is a great lightweight and affordable alternative that lends itself well to all kinds of paints, stains and finishes.
Another option is panelling made from high density polystyrene, which cuts just like wood and is paintable, but is also lightweight and easy to fix to the wall using adhesive, with no screws required.
This eye-catching Fluted and Decorative wall panelling, from LLCompany, has Art Deco detailing and comes ready to either paint by hand or can also be spray painted.
5. Use wall panels to create a cosy bedroom space
While covering an entire room in wall panelling can work well in some situations, in other cases, using it either to create a feature wall or to define the sleeping area in a bedroom, can help with cosy bedroom ideas.
Using panelling around your sleeping space will give a sense of being cocooned – and using natural materials, particularly timber, is highly recommended here.
"Timber wall cladding works beautifully to create a cosy, intimate feel in bedrooms," explains Ian Tomlinson. "The right choice of timber cladding can create a calming ski chalet vibe that's incredibly inviting. We recommend using reclaimed or sustainably sourced wood to align with the increasing demand for eco-conscious design. It’s also important to think about balance, for example, pairing timber cladding with complementary materials like stone or soft furnishings creates a harmonious look."
6. Create a coordinated bedroom look with painted panelling
Painting skirting boards, ceiling moulding, doors, windows and even furniture the same shade as your wall panelling will help ensure it blends in with the scheme overall and creates a pleasingly cohesive look.
If you don't feel brave enough to paint your entire bedroom a strong colour, using your wall panelling to introduce bolder shades is a brilliant way to add personality and a little vibrancy without overwhelming the space.
Within this bedroom, the decision to paint the half-wall panelling the same fresh green as the wardrobe, ensures the space feels bright and 'pulled together'.
To achieve a similar look, this MDF wall panelling from Screwfix can be attached to the wall using nails, screws or glue and then painted in a colour of your choice.
7. Ensure a contemporary feel by using narrow strip panelling
While classic grid-style panelling and wainscoting (half wall panelling) are brilliant additions in more traditional bedroom schemes, if you are after a fresh, modern take on this design idea, there are plenty of other options – including narrow strip panelling.
"Timber wall panelling brings warmth and a tactile quality to interiors while feeling timeless rather than trend-led," explains Adam Robertson, MD at Urbane Living. "The key is to choose natural finishes and subtle three-dimensional surfaces, such as fluted or ribbed designs, which catch the light beautifully and add quiet character. For longevity, keep tones neutral and integrate the panelling seamlessly across walls, doors or joinery so it feels architectural rather than decorative."
This pale wood panelling, from Havwoods, has been fitted horizontally onto a grey felt backing that is reflected through the choice of soft furnishing.
With a passion for natural materials Adam has built up a wealth of knowledge in wood flooring, carpets and interiors. As managing director of Urbane Living, Adam takes an active role in leading the team though sales and customer service, whilst continually driving product development
8. Embrace hotel chic by combining neutrals with richly toned timber
If you love modern bedroom ideas akin to chic hotel interiors, bedroom wall panelling might just be your best friend.
Opt for rich shades, such as walnut, or rely on stains that mimic the look, and take your bedroom panelling all the way to the ceiling for a dramatic statement. In order for the whole look to remain subtle and stylish, be sure to pair your panelling with classy neutrals elsewhere.
"For added warmth and texture, wood panelling is a great way to elevate a bedroom," says Anthony Scott, global product and innovation director at Havwoods. "Wood panelling and textured veneers are ideal, from three-dimensional panels with intricate patterns that catch the light beautifully to elegant pre-finish panels that seamlessly flow from floor to wall. It’s all about making sure you choose a finish and colour that complements the rest of your bedroom’s aesthetic."
Anthony is global product and innovation director at Havwoods. Havwoods is a leading name in wood surfaces for floors, walls and ceilings.
9. Conjure up a bedroom feature wall using tile-effect wood panelling
Timber wall panelling comes in all kinds of guises these days, including designs that mimic the appearance of other materials, such as stone and tiles. These eye-catching designs are the perfect way to create a feature within otherwise neutral bedroom ideas.
"Feature walls are far from out of fashion – they’ve simply evolved," advises Adam Robertson. "Today’s approach is less about bold paint colours or statement wallpaper and more about introducing depth, texture and natural materials."
This striking panelling from B&Q might look like split-faced stone, but is actually made from 3D hardwood interlocking tiles made from reclaimed blocks of Meranti.
10. Frame your bed with 3/4 height panelling
There is no need to cover an entire room in panelling – in fact, in small bedrooms, installing it on just one wall, or even just partway over the wall, can work better, even creating a headboard effect.
"We’re seeing a rise in small-scale updates with big impact, as consumers get more creative with panelling, refreshing a single area rather than tackling a full room overhaul," reveals Charlie Farrar. "Adding small amounts of panelling to functional spaces, cladding furniture, and adding creative hidden storage solutions is becoming increasingly popular.
"At this time of year, there’s also higher demand for durable, wipeable and waterproof wall panel solutions," adds Charlie. "Perfect for festive hosting, where people want stylish updates that can handle knocks, spills and busy homes."
11. Don't discount pattern when choosing bedroom panelling
You'd could be missing a trick if you assumed that you had to choose between wall panelling and bold patterns for your bedroom walls – thanks to some new developments, you can have both, giving you more options in terms of the bedroom colours you incorporate.
Choosing patterned wall panelling allows you to bring in plenty of personality and character as well giving you a wide range of colour options to tie your accessories and soft furnishings in with.
These fun panels, from Walls & Floors, are made from FSC-certified MDF and feature a vibrant jungle scene.
12. Use your panelling to create colour-drenched effect
Colour drenching is still very much up there on the list of paint trends to get on board with, and just because you are opting for wall panelling doesn't mean you can't still incorporate it into your bedroom scheme.
You can create the effect in all kinds of ways, from using full height all-over panelling coated in just one shade, to simply adding small areas of panelling to one area of a wall, such as a chimney breast, and painting it the same colour as the rest of the room.
Alternatively, as has been done here, you could choose furniture, bedding and accessories all of a similar hue as your wall panelling for a space that feels warm and enveloping.
13. Incorporate bedroom lighting to highlight the panelling
Designing your bedroom lighting ideas in tandem with your panelling makes so much sense. Whether you choose wall-mounted adjustable spotlights either side of the bed, or remote controlled concealed LEDs, illuminating your panelling will really help highlight it and draw attention to its texture.
Fluted and narrow strip panelling in particular looks very striking when lit up by an invisible source – and it just so happens to be particularly on trend right now too.
"Fluted wall panels can aid in creating a dynamic space, sparking instant visual interest and appeal with their ability to create a stylish feature wall in the bedroom," says Anthony Scott.
"Similarly, large wall cladding boards can work seamlessly with contemporary interior styles. While distinctive and bold, its sleek appeal can evoke a relaxing and comforting feel, perfect for bedroom themes. However, if you prefer a more traditional design, then reclaimed boards can create characterful charm with their historic look and textured finish.”
FAQs
Is fitting bedroom wall panelling a DIY job?
Even homeowners with fairly basic DIY skills should be able to tackle the task of fitting wall panels in a bedroom.
Of course, how difficult DIY wall panelling turns out to be is dependent on a number of things, such as how straight your walls are and their current condition, the type of panelling you have chosen and the size of the area you are covering.
In many cases, panelling can be fitted to the wall using adhesive, meaning there is no need for screwing or nailing, although you will need to check this when purchasing. If you are buying custom-made panels your job will be easier, whereas if you are buying off-the-shelf kits, you will need to measure your walls and cut them to size.
Providing you choose a scrubbable paint finish for your panelling it can actually work really well within children's bedroom ideas, providing protection for the walls themselves.
