Wood Accent Wall Paneling Design Ideas

Wooden wall paneling has become one of the hottest and most popular DIY home design trends to add some interest and dimension to a room. Creating an accent wall or adding some texture or a different color to the wall decor of a room has long been a recommended interior design technique for upping the style in both homes and commercial spaces. 

Wood accent walls have helped take this to another level, adding warmth and a rustic look to rooms as well as interest and color. Depending on the type of wood paneling you choose to install, you can elevate the interior of your space by making your walls look like modern day wall art. 

While all real wood paneling has subtle variations in wood grain and color, most wood wall planks tend to be fairly uniform. Wood planks can even be styled to take on a more distressed wood style for a more rustic look. These options are beneficial for spaces that already have a lot going on and need a more quiet backdrop. But, for rooms that need a focal point, multi-color wood boards can have a major impact on the style of the space. These wall coverings are made up of different pieces of wood that may be different wood species or have come from different locations. The result has a lot more color, movement, and interest than even a standard wood wall panel.

Multi-Colored Wood Wall Design Ideas

Multi-color wall paneling can be dramatic or subtle depending on placement within a room. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next diy project, check out these design ideas.

1. Raising the Style

Rustic white oak ceiling

If your home or office has some dramatic ceilings, consider installing some rustic oak wall boards in this area. The richness and color variation of the solid wood boards really catches the eye, and draws it upward. This can make the walls seem taller than they are, while also highlighting the unique architecture and skylight. The same wood panels are used on the doors as well, helping to tie the two areas together and prevent the wall decor from looking too stark. 

2. Subtle Richness

Subtly colored rustic woods

Whether this diy project is in a residential or commercial space, you likely have some hallways to contend with. Hallways can be tricky spaces for home decor, because they’re long and narrow and easily overwhelmed.

These subtly colorful wood planks full of character make the ideal finish for any corridor. They add a lot of warmth to the space, making it feel cozy, rather than utilitarian.

3. Colorful Wainscot

Colorful wall paneling

Wainscotting is frequently used in formal spaces, but it also makes a great addition to restaurants, offices, and living rooms. Colorful wood planks laid in a vertical pattern helps to draw the eye and emphasizes the height of the walls. Wainscoting can be chair rail height or extend nearly to the ceiling, so you can customize the height to match the style and needs of the space. 

4. Dramatic Accent

Grey barn wood accent wall

Many commercial spaces from hotels to restaurants need something that will make an impact on guests as soon as they arrive. Accent walls have been one of the go-to styles for getting that impact, but it can be tough to balance impact with a design that’s also subtle enough not to clash with your business’s brand. 

Colorful grey wood wall coverings make this easy. It’s got enough variation to be eye-catching, but it’s still warm and welcoming, becoming a backdrop for your logo or brand. 

5. Bar Frame

Natural barn wood walls

One of the best things about natural barn wood wall paneling is the way that it can be used in so many different areas and applications. In this case, it makes the ideal frame for this kitchen and bar. 

The colors of the rustic wood paneling perfectly match the lighting for the decor. The colors are also dark enough to add some contrast to the lighter tables in the restaurant, which adds a lot of dimension to the design. 

6. Rustic Color

Mixed barn woods

Wood wall panels can be made up of wood taken from many sources. Reclaimed barnwood planks make this even easier, by allowing you to blend woods taken from different species as well as for various applications. Mixing colors of barnwood panels like this design add even more color to the design with unique things like patina, saw marks, and nail holes. This sets each reclaimed wood wall panel apart from the other, by giving it more interest and a place for the eye to rest.

7. Layered Paneling

Reclaimed wood makes a statement

Colored wall panels that have an overall light tone can also use shadow to create different effects in the space. These reclaimed wood planks are set at different depths from one another, which allows the edges to cast shadows where they meet. The effect is interesting, adding some contrasting lines to the horizontal wood, as well as added color and dimension. This kind of wall decor would be ideal in a reception area, conference room, or a family room in a home.

8. Dark Contrast

Contrasting wall panels

Multi-color wood wall panels don’t need to be subtle in their variation. These wall panels throw in some randomly dark walnut wood pieces, periodically, against a lighter, white wood blend. This makes the darker areas stand out starkly, which draws and holds the eye better than a more quiet blend. This kind of multi-colored wall decor is ideal for spaces that need a little shaking up or that would be too quiet without some kind of focus or white wash in the wall design. 

9. Directional Variation

Wood paneling can add depth to the space

The way that the wood is positioned on the walls can change the way that you view the colors of the wall panels. This area showcases the same multi-colored wood paneling in two areas, but changes the position of the wood between them. This calls more attention to the shading and variation in the bar area, because they’re emphasizing the height and shape of the bar. The rest of the wood wall planks in the room help to create a cohesive look, but without calling as much attention to the space.

10. Shiplap Design

Shiplap Wall Planks

One of the most popular ways to custom mill wood wall boards is referred to as shiplap, similar to tongue-and-groove. This milling profile provides a tight, overlapping fit for easy installation that creates an effective seal. It is the ideal cut for wall paneling and various other applications. Available as prefinished or unfinished, it provides an easy way for DIYers to install wood wall accents in their own home or business.

Consider Wood Wall Paneling For Your Space Design

Whether you’re adding some wall art to an office or some warmth to your living room home decor, it’s hard to go wrong with real wood paneling for walls. Subtle or dramatic, real wood adds interest and depth anywhere that it’s installed. And when you add in variations in stains, patina, and wood species and grain, you can get a lot of dimension out of wood wall paneling. Use these design ideas as inspiration for installing your next DIY wood wall, and visit Elmwood Reclaimed Timber for more information and ideas. Our wood panels come with edge styles like square, shiplap and tongue and groove for a variety of wall design styles. 

You can order free wood wall paneling samples and also receive a free catalog with more details about Elmwood’s collection of wood paneling products.