Inspiration and advice
How to choose the right wall panels for a living room, bedroom and bathroom
Find out how to choose the right wall panels for a living room, bedroom and bathroom. Practical guidance and the strengths of each type of panel.
Introduction
Wall panels are one of the most popular trends in interior design. They add style and elegance, and they are practical and hard-wearing too. Choosing the right ones can be difficult, though, particularly when they have to suit different rooms — a living room, a bedroom, a bathroom. In this article we set out what to look at so that you make the best choice.
Panels for a living room — looks and practicality
The living room is the heart of a home, so wall panels there should be both striking and practical.
What to look at
- Style: choose panels that suit the room as a whole — minimalist smooth-surfaced panels, say, or patterns that reproduce wood or concrete.
- Colour: pale panels make a space feel larger; darker ones make a room feel cosier.
- Material: MDF or timber panels suit an elegant living room perfectly.
Where to use them
- The wall behind the television, as the focal point of the scheme.
- A feature wall behind the sofa, which adds depth to the room.
Panels for a bedroom — comfort and atmosphere
A bedroom is a place to relax, so wall panels there should create a calm, comfortable atmosphere.
What to look at
- Texture: soft upholstered panels are an excellent choice, particularly as a headboard behind the bed.
- Colours: choose neutral or pastel shades that help you unwind.
- Sound: acoustic panels work well in a bedroom and improve the quality of sleep.
Where to use them
- The wall behind the bed, as both a decorative and a practical element.
- Lining the interiors of fitted wardrobes in the same panelled style.
Panels for a bathroom — waterproofing and style
A bathroom is a particularly demanding room, so wall panels there must resist moisture and be easy to clean.
What to look at
- Water resistance: panels made of PVC or laminated boards are ideal for rooms with high humidity.
- Style: panels reproducing marble, concrete or stone add elegance.
- Ease of fitting: click-together panels go up quickly with no grouting.
Where to use them
- Finishing the walls inside a shower.
- A decorative finish above the basin.
General guidance on choosing wall panels
- Purpose: match the panels to the room and to what it demands (water resistance in a bathroom, sound absorption in a bedroom).
- Material: choose one that suits the style of the room and what you expect in terms of durability.
- Colour and texture: keep them in harmony with the rest of the scheme.
- Budget: panels come at a range of prices, so it is worth setting a budget at the outset.
In summary
Wall panels are a versatile answer that brings together good looks and practicality. In choosing panels for a living room, a bedroom or a bathroom, be guided by what that particular room is for and what it demands. Panels chosen well will not only make a room look better but will stay a durable, practical part of it.
