The words “wood paneling” usually conjure up images that are not appealing. We may think of a family room from the 1970s covered in particle board shaped in a poor imitation of wood planks. Or, in older homes, you might remember knotty pine planks that were all the rage for casual entertaining in the 1950s.
So the words “luxury home remodeling” and “wood paneling” might not appear to belong in the same sentence—unless that sentence is “we’re hiring a luxury home remodeling contractor to rip out the tacky wood paneling left by the previous owner.”
But what if that assessment is wrong? What if there are forms of wood paneling available that are not only fashionable but elegant as well? When you consider some of the modern options available, you may come to the conclusion that it is time to change our conception of wood paneling—and maybe even consider it for your next home renovation project.
Tambour Wood Panels
One sophisticated option for incorporating wood paneling with modern or even minimalist décor is to use tambour wood panels. A tambour wood panel is flexible, so it can be curved. Wood slats are arranged on a flexible backing that can operate like a rolltop desk or remain stationary. The slats are often curved in a semi-circular shape, giving them a distinct look that can be either classic or contemporary. Moreover, the shape and spacing of the wood provide excellent sound absorption properties, making tambour wood panels acoustical as well as unique.
Incorporating acoustical wood paneling into your home, whether a tambour design or in other shapes, creates an intimate feel to the space that can be particularly welcome when smooth flooring and an abundance of hard surfaces tend to echo sound and create reverberation.
Artistic Hardwood Panels
The concept of putting wood on the walls as an artistic element got a bad name after countless home improvement shows featured DIY “artists” nailing pieces of reclaimed wood in random patterns to create “feature walls.” Instead, when artists work with woods of different natural hues to create intentional designs, incorporating panels of these designs can create a feature worthy of the name.
Many artists like to work with woods native to our South Florida region to create a cohesive feel that ties the indoors and outdoors together with grace.
Artistic wood panels can be simple or complex, textured or smooth, and can be customized to fit your particular aesthetic. Designs might feature geometric patterns or evoke flowing natural images. Lighting can be incorporated to highlight particular features. Some designs provide sound absorption or temperature control benefits, and designs can be customized to incorporate camouflaged storage spaces. As every component is made of solid hardwood, no one is going to mistake these artistic panels for the faux wood paneling of the 1970s.
Exotic Wood Options
Pine and oak have been the traditional choices in wood paneling, but advances in wood engineering have made it possible to create paneling in a wide variety of exotic hardwoods. This includes woods with bold, unique patterns, such as zebrawood, acacia, and tigerwood, as well as those with a rich hue that is impossible to recreate with stains, such as teak and mahogany. While these woods are generally applied as a veneer, the veneers are much thicker than in the cheap paneling popular in earlier decades, and it is engineered to remain fused to the base wood in ways not possible in the past.
Traditional Options with a Custom Application
Certain traditional styles of wood paneling have been popular for centuries, and when crafted of quality materials and executed with precision, they provide a timeless elegance to any space in your home, from great rooms and kitchens to home offices, family rooms, and even bathrooms. When you choose the right material and the right contractor to execute your design, any type of paneling can elevate the look of your home and add warmth and personal appeal. Traditional options include:
- Beadboard – This style typically consists of narrow boards with a beaded edge on one side and a beveled edge on the other. The boards are fitted together in a way that leaves the beading visible along the joint. This type of paneling often creates a classic English cottage image.
- Tongue and groove – This style typically joins wider boards together with the edge of one board having a raised tongue that fits into a groove on the edge of the adjacent board.
- V-groove – The boards in this style of paneling have a beveled or chamfered edge so that when placed next to each other, there appears to be a notch in the shape of a “v” between each board.
- Shiplap and nickel gap – With boards placed horizontally rather than vertically with a slight gap between them, this paneling creates a very distinct and often nautical or farmhouse style.
- Board and batten – In this style, wide, vertically-spaced boards have the gap between them covered with a thinner board known as a batten. While this style originated outdoors as a way to protect potentially vulnerable joints from the weather, it has become a popular interior paneling style because of the unique texture and architectural depth it can add to a room.
- Raised paneling – This style, common in the Victorian era, features design elements layered to create patterns within a frame setting.
When any type of paneling is installed on the lower part of a wall only, it is often referred to as wainscotting.
Explore the Possibilities with Marcela Montoya Remodeling
While choosing the right materials and styles for your home renovation project are important steps, the most important part of the project is selecting the right home remodeling contractor. You deserve to work with a contractor you can trust to listen to you and do the job right the first time.
At Marcela Montoya Remodeling, we have decades of experience designing and executing luxury home renovation and addition projects throughout South Florida. We can share what we’ve learned about working with wood paneling and let you make the ultimate decisions as we create a custom design tailored to your specific goals. We invite you to schedule a complimentary design consultation to find out how we can renovate or add to your space to make your home a showplace that you’ll love to use as much as you love to show it off. Just call us at 954-900-9992 or contact us online to get started.
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