Yes, you can make your house standout from all the rest on the block, and wall panels will facilitate your plan to achieve a high-end designer look. They are resurging in popularity because they not only hide a world of hurt, they also can be used to hide cables behind them when hung with suspension fittings. Rich wood panels give a room or feature wall a warm yet fascinating vibe. Practical and beautiful, wall panels turn an ordinary wall into an unexpected focal point.

When selecting wall panels, keep in mind these design hints:

1. Order actual panel samples. No matter how true your computer’s color monitor seems, it’s not possible to judge the quality and shading of a wood panel without first previewing it. You can see how the sample works with other features in the room and preview it in under your room’s natural lighting conditions. View the sample both in natural daylight and under artificial lighting at night.

2. Look for eco-friendly veneers. Green features add to your home’s overall resale value and are important to some buyers for health reasons.

Teak wall paneling

3. Budget appropriately. Keep in mind that cutting corners is not always wise, because when it comes to wall panels, it’s easy to spot the difference between a rich veneer and a laminate veneer. Also, budget for labor if this isn’t a DIY remodel. Although you can save money by doing it yourself, know what your limitations are. You can save aggravation by hiring someone that knows how to do it right the first time around. Wall panels that adhere with suspension fittings are easy to hang, but if you’re not handy and have a large space to do, it may be a job for a pro.

4. Keep an open mind. Are you stuck in a design rut? Consider going in a new design direction. If you’d normally choose a black or dark wood panel shade, think about going lighter. If your home is too dark, future buyers will notice that you were “obsessed” with one shade. You don’t want your home to be one note. You want harmony, but you want some surprises too.

If you’ve ever wondered why a room in your home seems a little off, it may not have what designers refer to as “balance.” Balance and harmony are achieved by making sure that there are four vital elements present: color, texture, pattern, and lighting. You can remodel any room by keeping these fundamentals in mind. Here we look at how to fix common balance issues using wood panels and other design elements.

Do you have a room that seems sterile or a bit harsh? Does it look cold in photographs? This can result from using too many smooth textures or from having only overhead lights. Smooth textures include metals, glass, and anything reflective. A room becomes warmer simply by adding natural wood textures throughout or by adding wall, table, and floor lighting. Wall panels in a clear finish add rough texture and warmth; they can also tone down a colorful room so that the room is less visually chaotic.

On the other hand, do you have a room that seems too casual? Do you wish the room looked sleeker and neater? You may have too many rough textures in the room and need to add glossier, light-reflecting surfaces. Examples of rough textures include carpet, rugs, and brick. By adding glossy or metal items, your room will present a more chic vibe. Wood panels in a glossy finish will reflect light throughout the room and add just a hint of formality.

When hung on suspension fittings, wood wall panels create a subtle checkerboard pattern on the wall. Although the vertical and horizontal lines are understated, the lines between panels add life to a room. The resulting pattern is a design element that is noticed at a subconscious level.

For smaller rooms and walls, choose smaller individual panels for better scale. For larger rooms and walls, choose larger scale panels. For a dramatic effect, choose wood paneling in a shade that contrasts with the rest of the room (ebony panels in a white room). For a softer, monochromatic effect, choose wall panels that blend with the room (light wood in a beige room).