An example of wood paneling.
People use interior wall paneling to cover walls composed of plaster, drywall, or other materials. Paneling can run from the floor to the ceiling, or it can extend just halfway or three-quarters of the way up a wall. This kind of partial paneling is known as wainscoting. If you are thinking of installing new interior wall paneling or of sprucing up existing paneling, several design ideas can help.
Repainting Old Paneling
According to HGTV.com, dark floor-to-ceiling was fashionable during the 1960s and 1970s, and many Americans installed it in their homes. That look has fallen out of style, but many homes still have this kind of paneling in one or more rooms. If you want to keep old wood paneling but give it a modern upgrade, consider painting it. By painting dark paneling a light color such as white or off-white, you can transform the look of a room from dark and den-like to clean, bright, and open. To cover up all of the dark wood, make sure to apply one or two layers of primer before you start painting.
Bamboo Paneling
If you don't care for wood paneling, install bamboo paneling instead. According to Building Materials 365, bamboo can make a versatile paneling material. It comes in a variety of lengths and thicknesses. One option is to staple or nail long, skinny stalks of bamboo in rows so that they extend from the floor to the ceiling. Alternatively, you can use rows of shorter, thicker bamboo stalks to form wainscoting around the perimeter of a room. In comparison with traditional wood paneling, bamboo paneling is more environmentally friendly. It grows very quickly and is thus a sustainable building material.
Fabric and Foam Paneling
Another alternative to wood paneling is to use sections of covered in fabric. You can find foam insulation board at your local hardware or home supply store. This option allows for a high degree of creativity, since you get to decide on the colors, patterns, and textures of your fabric. Some interesting possibilities include using suede, leather, vinyl, or denim. Once you have chosen your fabric, wrap it over the foam insulation boards and secure it in place with staples. Then adhere the paneling sections to the wall with double-sided tape or double-stick tape.
Tags: wood paneling, foam insulation, , , foam insulation board, from floor, from floor ceiling