Achieve a Distressed Look With Barn Wood Wall Paneling

Rustic, cottage, modern farmhouse, and rustic-modern interior designs are incredibly popular right now. Whether this style is infused throughout a space or included as an accent, adding a rustic touch to your home decor is a great way of adding some personality and character to a room.

There are many ways that you can achieve this look, but one of the most effective decor ideas is to include some reclaimed barn wood. These wood planks feature a grey patina and rustic texture that when combined can give any space the distressed look you’re after. There are many types of wood paneling and rustic barn wood paneling is incredibly versatile. This allows you the flexibility to use it in many settings and in a multitude of design ideas. Reclaimed wood planks make a great backdrop to many other designs or they can become a focal point within a room when used as a barn wood accent wall. 

Barn Wood Paneling

Part of what makes rustic barn wood panels so appealing is their authenticity. Barn wood wall panels are made from reclaimed wood taken from barns and outbuildings that are more than 100 years old. The barn boards are cleaned, denailed, and milled to be used again as wall paneling.

The real wood gets its color from the natural weathering and aging process that occurred during its first use; colors vary from a rich natural brown to a weathered grey. Due to the natural variation inherent in the solid wood and the product, wall panels also have a lot of depth. This isn’t a flat, painted grey wall panel; these distressed panels have a natural appeal and a patina that can be used for many home improvement and DIY projects. 

Barn Wood Wall Paneling Design Ideas

Reclaimed wood panels aren’t just for farmhouse style interiors anymore! These rustic wall panels are at home in a variety of interior design styles. Using distressed barn wood paneling is a great way to makeover the wall decor of your interior. Rather than having a flat wall, the decorative wall panels give added texture, movement, and color to the room. The paneling can be used over the entirety of the room, as a reclaimed wood accent wall, a unique bar backsplash or above the fireplace mantel. 

Check out these 6 barn wood wall ideas for inspiration on how you could incorporate reclaimed wood wall paneling into your next remodel project. 

1. Rustic Backdrop

This rustic wooden wall creates a backdrop that can be seen as soon as you approach the bottom of the stairs. The color of the wood wall planks is a soft complement to the walls and the knot holes pick up the color of the additional wood in space. The weathered nature of the solid wood is also a nice contrast to the contemporary light fixtures and staircase, adding dimension and interest to the room.

2. Focal Point

The reception area of this inn uses barn wood wall paneling both on the accent wall behind the desk, but on the face of the desk as well. Since this is a prominent area in the building entryway, it’s a natural focal point. With the soft driftwood colors of the wood grain, it’s also a nice complement to the name of the inn, featured prominently against the paneling.

3. Material Contrast

Commercial spaces and restaurants often have a lot going on. So, the wall and flooring materials need to offer both a background and a cohesive design for the rest of the space. In this area, the distressed barn wood paneling is complemented by a brick wall. The difference between the materials adds some interest and gives more color and texture for the other components of the room to pull from as well.

4. Bar Area Accent

Wall paneling doesn’t have to be installed strictly on the walls. This bar makes a beautiful, rustic modern statement using distressed wood paneling around the perimeter facing. The color works beautifully with the stools, while the wood grain texture lends contrast creating a more interesting design for the area.

5. Small Space Accent

The wall above the wainscoting in this bathroom makes an interesting contrast to the rest of the space. The crisp white against the weathered grey boards gives the bathroom design more character and depth without making the space appear busy.

Small spaces like this need to strike a careful balance to avoid becoming overwhelmed. The barn wood wall paneling adds contrast in direction, color, and texture to the wainscot, which accomplishes the goal of adding interest to the wall decor without chaos.

6. Unexpected Ceiling Feature

Barn wood wall panels aren’t just for accent walls! This living room utilizes the wood wall planks as a unique ceiling feature. While this room mixes a variety of reclaimed wood products, a barn wood ceiling can fit seamlessly into many home decor styles. If the layout of your room doesn’t have an ideal place for a wood feature wall, consider looking at a different angle for incorporating decorative wall panels into your interior design.

Create Your Ideal Wall Covering With Barn Wood Wall Paneling

Barn wood wall paneling has depth, texture, interest, personality, and history that you can’t find with other materials. It can add interest, contrast, and character to a room, while being used as either a backdrop or a focus. No matter which way you use it, distressed wood paneling can help you complete your ideal interior design. Wood wall panels come with a variety of edge options that make them easy to install, such as shiplap, square, and tongue and groove. Whether you’re looking for your next DIY project or want to hire someone for your business or home improvement, barn wood wall panels are a material that can change the look of a space without much effort. 

Use it on a single wall or clad the walls throughout a room; either way you’re sure to find that this unique material helps elevate your interior design. Invest in barn wood paneling today to see the difference it can make in your interior design. Contact the experts at Elmwood Reclaimed Timber to get all your questions answered! We’ll help guide you in your decisions and show you some of our best sellers!