Living Room Wall Panelling

Living room panels

Panelling is brilliant for injecting timeless elegance into living rooms, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the space. Expect clean lines, gorgeous textures and sleek designs.

There are so many style options available with wall panelling, suiting a wide range of room aesthetics.

For a classic look, consider adding wainscoting panels up to chair-rail or waist height on the wall. This adds a look of sophistication while having practical benefits, offering extra protection from scuffs. As such, this style is a great way to add character in high-traffic areas.

Alternatively, for a unique style, consider placing MDF strips in a custom, geometric design. This particularly suits contemporary interiors that ooze with personality.

In terms of materials, you can choose between MDF and wood wall panels.

Wood panels are perfect if you're hoping for the natural grain to be visible. To create a calming, natural aesthetic in your living room, you could combine wood panelling with luscious plants.

Or, for a cost-effective and versatile alternative, try MDF. It has a smooth, even texture that can easily be painted to achieve a seamless finish. As such, it's a very popular choice, suiting both modern decor and period properties.

It's also worth considering moisture-resistant MDF panels, especially if you're decorating a humid space. This will ensure the panelling is durable.

Living room wall panelling ideas

One of our favourite living room panelling ideas is installing panels within media walls. If, say, a media wall includes shelving units, you could add ribbed panelling within them as a simple way to introduce texture to the space.

We also love bold feature walls as a way to transform living spaces. We mentioned geometric earlier as a potential style, but if you're looking for a more traditional style, you could also consider shaker style panelling. This is where the feature wall panels are arranged in symmetrical square formations along a wall.

You could also try 3D panels, such as ones in the shapes of chevrons or tiles. These add visual depth, while incorporating interesting shapes into the wall's design.

Or, to decorate the wall with stylish, vertical strips, slat wall panels are ideal. Wooden slat walls allow you to bring a wonderful Japandi style to your home, blending Scandinavian and Japanese influences. Plus, as the vertical slats draw the eye upwards, they can help to make a room feel taller.

We explore loads more suggestions in our full guide to wall panelling ideas.

Tips for easy installation of decorative wall panels

Before ordering your panels, measure your walls accurately to make sure you get the right products for your space.

For hassle free installation, we suggest using adhesive to secure the panels in place. A spirit level will help you confirm everything is completely straight (crucial for achieving a high-end finish!).

And, once installed, you can paint your panelling in the colour of your choice. MDF panels do need to be primed before painting, but there's the option to buy them pre-primed to speed up the process.

Installation can be made easier still by getting a full wall panelling kit. We sell some with essential tools included, ensuring you have everything you need to get started.

For basic wall panel projects, it's possible to install them in under a day. You might find the room itself takes a couple of days altogether (or longer), but the time it takes can vary a lot depending on the scale and complexity of the installation.

Any questions? Get in touch with our expert team.