Hallway & Stairs Wall Panelling
Adding panelling to high-traffic areas like hallways and staircases is a brilliant way to protect walls from scuffs while making the rooms look stunning. See below for our favourite wall panelling kits and products for the smaller spaces in your home.
MDF panels for hallways and staircases
Hallway panelling
With clever panelling, hallways can appear wider or taller, depending on how you approach it. For example, while vertical panels give the illusion of height, horizontal ones can exaggerate the width.
And the textures introduced with panelling are such lovely additions to a hallway's aesthetics, adding a touch of elegance to an often under-appreciated part of a home.
Among the most popular panelling styles for hallways are shaker style, where panels are arranged in square or rectangle formations, or tongue and groove in a vertical arrangement. Or, for added textures and shadows, consider ribbed or fluted panels.
It's worth considering the overall style of your home when choosing panelling. For example, modern homes generally suit contemporary styles, such as geometric designs with MDF strips. Period properties, however, tend to suit Edwardian and Victorian style panels, especially when they're painted in premium, heritage colours.
When covering just half of the wall (around 1.2m), panelling adds detailing to the room without overly dominating the space.
Also, think carefully about the colour scheme. While dark colours can help to inject sophistication into bigger hallways, they have the potential to overwhelm small rooms. So, depending on the size, you might find lighter colours help to make the space feel more bright and airy.
Panelling can be made in a variety of materials, but we often suggest moisture-resistant MDF panels as they're durable, cost-effective and easy to paint.
Staircase panelling
Like with hallways, staircase panelling needs to be resilient in high-traffic areas.
One popular style to consider for its practical benefits is wainscoting. This covers the lower part of a wall and helps to protect from scuffs, making it ideal for panelling staircases.
Another fantastic way of adding character to staircases is with vertical panels. When painted in soft, neutral tones, they help to elevate the space without making it feel too closed in.
Installation tips for wall panelling kits and dado rails
Using a tape measure, check the dimensions of your walls from floor to ceiling to ensure you choose the right panels for the space. If including dado rails and skirting boards, factor these into your measurements.
By getting your panels cut-to-size, it speeds up the process by avoiding the need for you to cut them down yourself at home. Also, it's a good idea to buy your panelling pre-primed so it's ready to paint.
A spirit level will help you confirm that all the panels are completely straight. And, once you're confident they're in the right position, you can install them with adhesive.
When the adhesive has dried, decorators caulk is effective at filling any gaps. Then, once that has dried and you've sanded down any bumps, the panels are ready to be painted.
The smooth surface of MDF panels makes them very easy to paint, allowing you to achieve a sleek and stylish finish with your staircase and hallway panelling.
