Decorating
Decorating: 10 Cool Ways to Use Wood Cladding
Whether you go for rough-hewn planks, rustic tongue and groove or trompe l’oeil wallpaper, a wall of wood cladding is a feature in itself
Not so long ago, wooden cladding was an interiors no-no. Varnished in vivid orange, it screamed ‘Alpine chalet’. But all that has changed. Get ready to fall for the new, cool versions of cladding, which can make a feature of a wall, add texture and warm up a space. Think muted shades, rough textures and reclaimed planks for cladding with credibility.
Extend a headboard
Reclaimed timber is used to clad a wall that doubles as a grand headboard. It screens off a section of the bedroom that could be used as a walk-in wardrobe, an en suite or hidden storage, but utilises the wall to add design value to the main space. Other textures and hues are natural and soft to complement the reclaimed look.
Discover more ways to supersize in style
Reclaimed timber is used to clad a wall that doubles as a grand headboard. It screens off a section of the bedroom that could be used as a walk-in wardrobe, an en suite or hidden storage, but utilises the wall to add design value to the main space. Other textures and hues are natural and soft to complement the reclaimed look.
Discover more ways to supersize in style
Ditch the symmetry
The thing about cladding is, it means lots of lines. If you go for a symmetrical design, that can make it feel a bit regimented. This design benefits from the warmth and interest of wood, but takes a very creative approach to the layout. The off-centre stove and overmantel paintings, and a clad section of kitchen storage on the left, make a pleasingly artistic arrangement.
The thing about cladding is, it means lots of lines. If you go for a symmetrical design, that can make it feel a bit regimented. This design benefits from the warmth and interest of wood, but takes a very creative approach to the layout. The off-centre stove and overmantel paintings, and a clad section of kitchen storage on the left, make a pleasingly artistic arrangement.
Warm up a stairwell
Do you have a blank white wall staring at you every time you go up or down the stairs? This display of reclaimed boards warms up a cool white space and acts as a full-height artwork. Every time you pass by, you’ll spot new whorls and patterns in the wood. No need to hang extra pictures – a set of contemporary lights makes just the right contrast.
Do you have a blank white wall staring at you every time you go up or down the stairs? This display of reclaimed boards warms up a cool white space and acts as a full-height artwork. Every time you pass by, you’ll spot new whorls and patterns in the wood. No need to hang extra pictures – a set of contemporary lights makes just the right contrast.
Fake it, baby
This Scrapwood wallpaper by Piet Hein Eek – and a swathe of similar designs available on the High Street – is the easiest way to get the shacked-up look. It does a fantastic job of adding interest and character, but is easier to stick onto the wall than piles of original painted and distressed planks. Repeat a few of the tones in other areas of the room to make the motif feel right at home.
See other ways to work in fabulous wallpaper
This Scrapwood wallpaper by Piet Hein Eek – and a swathe of similar designs available on the High Street – is the easiest way to get the shacked-up look. It does a fantastic job of adding interest and character, but is easier to stick onto the wall than piles of original painted and distressed planks. Repeat a few of the tones in other areas of the room to make the motif feel right at home.
See other ways to work in fabulous wallpaper
Mix natural patterns
This white tongue and groove cladding is mixed up in a couple of ways. First off, different widths of plank ensure the look isn’t too uniform. Then the woodwork is teamed with a feather-soft wallpaper motif that keeps the bathroom feeling light and natural, but not too country cottage, which wouldn’t suit this loft space.
This white tongue and groove cladding is mixed up in a couple of ways. First off, different widths of plank ensure the look isn’t too uniform. Then the woodwork is teamed with a feather-soft wallpaper motif that keeps the bathroom feeling light and natural, but not too country cottage, which wouldn’t suit this loft space.
Go for contrasting materials
This pale and interesting home uses suitably wide, bleached planks to coat the walls for an authentically Scandi feel. This lends a feeling of expansiveness. The purity of the white finish is brought out by the classic furniture and ice-white walls for uber-clean simplicity.
This pale and interesting home uses suitably wide, bleached planks to coat the walls for an authentically Scandi feel. This lends a feeling of expansiveness. The purity of the white finish is brought out by the classic furniture and ice-white walls for uber-clean simplicity.
Add a hint of beach-hut chic
This seaside home takes the whitewashed look to the max, but you can recreate it on a smaller scale with judicious use of cladding. Large windows and a palette of white and timber tones keep the space feeling more The Hamptons than Hansel and Gretel.
This seaside home takes the whitewashed look to the max, but you can recreate it on a smaller scale with judicious use of cladding. Large windows and a palette of white and timber tones keep the space feeling more The Hamptons than Hansel and Gretel.
Set it at right angles
This kitchen uses rustic cladding in the corner nook, but mixes up planks running horizontally and vertically. It’s a simple but effective way to show the design has been thought through, and provides a more energetic backdrop for prints and artworks.
This kitchen uses rustic cladding in the corner nook, but mixes up planks running horizontally and vertically. It’s a simple but effective way to show the design has been thought through, and provides a more energetic backdrop for prints and artworks.
Go for a contemporary shade
The on-trend colour of these horizontal planks keeps the bedroom feeling luxe and modern. They have a wonderful matt finish, but with a hint of white in there, too. Adding textiles and textures in similar tones is a doddle, creating a truly restful sleep zone.
Does wood cladding appeal to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
The on-trend colour of these horizontal planks keeps the bedroom feeling luxe and modern. They have a wonderful matt finish, but with a hint of white in there, too. Adding textiles and textures in similar tones is a doddle, creating a truly restful sleep zone.
Does wood cladding appeal to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
This original space takes the flooring as its starting point, continuing the timbers as a vertical divider. It’s an interesting style twist that doesn’t feel oppressive because the panel only extends across part of the room. A wash of light from ample windows also helps to keep it bright and airy.