5 Modern Ways to Use Wood Paneling
Wood paneling was all the rage in the mid-20th century, before falling out of favor for decades. If you wanted an updated home, the first thing to go was the wood paneling on the walls. Bright, sleek colors were used to replace what was seen as dated wood textures.But now wood paneling is back. People are finding clever ways to use it in a variety of modern styles. With some sleek geometry, creative stylings and light colors, wood paneling fits well into the updated, modern space. Read on for several ways to use wood paneling in your modern home.
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Use wood paneling to create sleek lines
A wonderful aspect of wood paneling is that it can produce sleek geometry. By cutting the paneling into narrow strips, you can get a more lined, geometric look. Modern spaces are all about stark geometry, so this is a key way to use wood paneling in a modern style.The photo above shows that changing the direction of paneling between the ceiling and the walls adds visual interest and bold geometry. You can also try switching it up, with narrow panels on the ceiling and wider panels on the wall.
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Create segmented spaces
Another way to incorporate modern wood paneling is to use it on just a small portion of the room. In the photo above, a narrow area of paneling surrounded by white walls actually helps the space look more modern. The wood area creates a sudden change in texture, generating visual interest. The wood paneling also acts as a visual barrier for the sitting area by the TV, which is a good way to separate different spaces in the open-concept areas that modern spaces are known for.
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Opt for rustic chic
A popular modern style in homes is rustic chic. That’s where elements of rustic design combine with more modern elements. For instance, in the photo above, the rustic accent wall (made from reclaimed barn wood) complements the modern white chairs. Another interesting element is the herringbone layout of the wall, demonstrating again the value of geometric designs. The distressed texture of the wood adds even more interest.
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Go for three-dimensional geometry
Yet another option for updating the idea of wood paneling is to try a more three-dimensional style. This is easy to accomplish: Simply raise a few panels above the main backdrop. It's a funky style that fits well with modern styles, since modern aesthetics tend to veer towards creative geometry and three-dimensional home features. What's more, this idea is highly customizable. You could choose large square panels at different heights, like in the photo above, or opt for narrow, long panels. You could also go for smaller panels of different sizes for a collage effect.
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