Hot Look: Wood Feature Walls

Wood-panelled walls are making a comeback, and we’ve rounded up five on-trend feature walls to inspire.

Though wood panelling has long been a design punchline (shorthand for the regrettable ’70s rumpus room), the modern iteration is a signifier of simple sophistication. The trick to avoiding repeating a shag-era design mistake? Stick to just one wall, and balance out the rich material with plenty of natural light and crisp white accents. Here’s 5 ways to make the look work for you.

5 Ways to Work a Wood Feature Wall

1. Lay out your wood panels in a chevron pattern.

Modern elements like the acrylic side chair keep the space from feeling too rustic, as seen in this Fox Design styled bedroom.

2. Replace the headboard altogether.

In this Mount Pleasant condo, brushed oak floor planks create a unique feature wall behind a pile of cozy pillows from CB2 and West Elm.

3. Use a swath of wood as a backdrop for built-in shelving.

In this home workspace by designer Angela Robinson did in this home workspace, the sleek white against natural wood-grain makes for a beautiful contrast.

4. Make the most of the double-height wall in the stairwell.

Deck it out in wood, like Trevor Linden did in his Whistler condo. Floating stairs and modern glass railings feel light and airy and balance out the warm material.

5. Try out a wood-panelled ceiling instead.

Just make sure to keep the rest of the room bright and light to avoid that old-fashioned basement feel, like designer Ami McKay did with this mid-century renovation project.