Last Modified 02 April 2025 |
First Added 08 July 2022
How to Embrace Wall Panelling in Your Bedroom
Bedroom wall panelling has adorned interiors for centuries, once gracing palaces, temples and stately homes as a symbol of wealth and status. A Victorian staple, later influenced by Art Deco and mid-century minimalism, bedroom panelling is enjoying a renaissance as a timeless feature in modern-day décor.
Effortlessly blending traditional elegance with contemporary sophistication, panelling in bedroom design is a versatile technique that complements any interior style. Whether your aesthetic leans towards classic, rustic or minimalist, discover bedroom panelling ideas to infuse this enduringly stylish trend into your own serene retreat.
Timeless bedroom panelling ideas to enhance your space
There are many ways to weave modern bedroom wall panelling into your décor, from clean vertical panels to refined horizontal designs and elegant half-wall panelling ideas. Each style brings its own unique charm, enhancing your bedroom with depth and visual appeal.
Bedroom panelling serves to accentuate key colours and textures, creating a serene and inviting sanctuary. Sage green panelling evokes a sense of calm and tranquillity, navy panelling adds depth and refined elegance, while wooden panelling in the bedroom introduces an organic touch.
Explore our expert guidance on how to incorporate panelling into your bedroom design to find a style that aligns with your unique taste.
1. Panel an entire wall
Create an elegant focal point in a bedroom or small office by panelling an entire wall,
infusing the space with richness and inviting warmth. For a rustic and cosy ambience, embrace wooden panelling in a natural finish that highlights the beauty of the grain. Paler colours can make small rooms feel larger, with cream or beige panelling in the bedroom lending a spacious, Scandi-inspired charm.
Bedroom panelling behind the bed offers the perfect backdrop to showcase an exquisite statement piece. The understated grace of our Sienna Bed harmonises beautifully with the classic style of traditional soft grey panelling. For a more contemporary touch, mid-century-inspired vertical bedroom wall panels perfectly complement the striking Camber Bed.
Soft pale blue panelling in the bedroom enhances the intricate details of the elegant white Arabella Bed, creating a truly captivating ensemble. For an intimate, cocooning feel that envelops you in calm, consider dark green panelling paired with our sumptuously soft and cosy Charlotte Bed.
2. Elevate your space with a panel accent feature
In smaller, more intimate spaces, half-wall bedroom panelling offers a subtle yet stylish take on the trend, creating a timeless and eye-catching accent feature. Traditional wainscoting, where wooden panelling covers only the lower portion of the wall, adds an elegant division and allows your creativity to flourish in the details.
Enhance the look with bold colour contrasts, painting the wall panelling in a rich, deep shade complemented by lighter tones above. Dark green panelling in the bedroom pairs perfectly with pale neutrals, creating a beautiful balance. Alternatively, select softer sage green bedroom panelling alongside patterned wallpaper that echoes the same hue.
This works wonderfully in children’s bedrooms, where you can experiment with vibrant colours, playful textures and charming accessories. In a master bedroom, embrace a more refined feel, allowing the elegant half-wall panels to create a backdrop for an exquisite bed. Our classically beautiful Salcombe Bed or the bold, Art Deco-style Wooster Bed look stunning against modern bedroom wall panelling.
3. Stylish bedroom panelling with integrated shelving
Half-wall panelling offers the perfect opportunity to incorporate an integrated shelf, bringing a bespoke and stylish touch to your bedroom design. Let your personality shine by thoughtfully adorning the bedroom panelling shelf with decorative accents, treasured trinkets or beloved artwork.
Evoke a soft, romantic ambience with vintage floral paintings and elegant antique candlesticks above pale pink panelling and our sumptuous Sienna Button Back Bed. Embrace biophilic design with cascading potted plants set against green panelling and our olive hued Charlotte Bed. For a modern minimalist aesthetic, style the shelf with abstract artwork that mirrors the clean, effortless lines of our Saunders Bed.
4. Choose a panelled headboard
To recreate the look of modern bedroom wall panelling without the commitment of permanent installation, carefully selected furniture can effortlessly achieve the illusion. Imagine stylish statement headboards, intricately carved drawers and tall freestanding wardrobes that echo the textured elegance of bedroom panelling.
Our artisanal-inspired Jenson Bed features a striking horizontally panelled headboard, masterfully crafted from rich dark Acacia wood. Complement this captivating centrepiece with the coordinating Jensen Bedside Tables and complete the aesthetic with walls in harmonising earthy tones, such as warm taupe or soft beige.
The effortlessly elegant Jacob Bed brings a touch of opulent luxury to your décor with an exquisite vertically slatted wood headboard in a neutral light or dark stain. Enhance the look with the statuesque presence of the Jacob Chest & Wardrobe Set in the same slatted wood finish, inspired by mid-century modern bedroom wall panelling.
Enhance your bedroom with colour-drenched wall panelling
Marrying the artistry of bedroom wall panelling with the concept of colour drenching brings a harmonious blend of depth and balance to any space. By painting walls, furniture and accessories in a single, cohesive shade, colour drenching creates an effortlessly refined and seamless aesthetic. Wall panelling further enhances this look, adding texture and dimension to a colour-drenched bedroom.
For a bold and sophisticated statement, rich tones like forest green, charcoal grey or navy blue can envelop the space in a cocoon of warmth, beautifully highlighting the architectural detail of the bedroom wall panelling. Soft shades such as blush pink, pale blue or sage green can create a serene and harmonious retreat.
Discover more expert ideas on embracing this stylish technique in our colour drenching guide.
Does wall panelling make a bedroom look bigger?
Wall panelling can make a bedroom look bigger, however its impact on the perception of space largely depends on the style chosen. Vertical panelling draws the eye upwards, creating the illusion of added height and making ceilings feel taller. Horizontal panelling can elongate walls, giving the impression of a longer or wider room. Both techniques, when thoughtfully applied, can make a room appear more spacious.
In smaller bedrooms, select simple designs with clean lines and understated patterns, such as neat, Jacobean-inspired squares or the narrow, vertical wall panelling favoured in mid-century design – both help create a sense of spaciousness. Lighter hues will reflect the natural light in the room, further enhancing the airy feeling for a warm and inviting ambience.
Larger rooms can accommodate more elaborate wall panelling, including intricate beaded detailing or contemporary geometric patterns. Darker, bold shades make a style statement and infuse the room with character, while also evoking intimacy and cosiness. By carefully selecting a style that complements the size of the room, wall panelling can become an elegant and functional addition to any modern bedroom.
Design your modern bedroom with Feather & Black
Whichever bedroom wall panelling ideas you choose, whether it’s ornate and traditional, cosy and rustic or minimalist and sleek, Feather & Black’s expertly crafted collection of exquisite beds and coordinating furniture ensures a cohesive and harmonious look in your bedroom décor.
Embrace the aesthetic that reflects your personal style and unique tastes to curate a sophisticated sanctuary where you can relax, unwind and luxuriate every single day.