18 Wood-Paneled Walls That Are Anything But Dated

If the first thing you think of when you hear "paneling" is a wood-clad den with a shag carpet, think again. This iconic wall treatment may have a groovy history, but designers today are reimagining wood paneling to create innovative, modern spaces. (And if your home has circa-1970s paneling, that doesn't mean you have to paint it!) From elevated entryways and statement-making slats to Scandi-style accent walls, we're sharing all the ways designers are incorporating wood panels into rooms for a fresh take on this nostalgic design feature.

Take this living room, for example. It combines bold personality with layered textures, set to a backdrop of rich, walnut-paneled walls. A teal sectional, tiger-print chairs, suede ottomans and metallic tables create a vibrant and eclectic mix that is decidedly up to date.

No longer confined to the basement, wood paneling is proving itself a worthy addition to entryways everywhere. We love how the designers used crisp white walls and a staircase with a glass railing to elevate the wood in this space, making it look more modern and less midcentury.

In smaller doses, wood paneling can be downright cozy. Designer Jeff Troyer thought so, too, which is why he brought stained beadboard into this reading nook. The wood treatment emphasizes the intimate nature the space, while the pillows and books make it kid-friendly. Troyer can attest to the fact that, "[It] has become a favorite spot for my clients' young children to hang out in."

“Mixing wood is like mixing metals,” says designer Raili Clasen. “You don’t want to be too matchy-matchy.” She chose white oak in varying stains and grains for the floors and cabinets of this Pebble Beach, California, home; the walls and ceiling are hemlock fir. To keep the wood from overwhelming the space, she broke it up with white counters, a sage backsplash and an island and hood in forest green.

Go ahead and marvel at the wood-paneled backdrop in this breakfast nook — we'll wait. By partnering the treatment with a modern material like white marble, designer Natalie Myers instantly took the wall from "fashion faux pas" to "pretty and polished."

Herringbone makes the wood paneling in this kitchen look pretty high-end. Designer Bryan Wark reveals that the wood also disguises the fridge and freezer, which helps achieve the airy aesthetic that his client wanted. "The hand-scraped wood definitely helps out with the organic vibe of the home," Wark explains.

Horizontal white oak planks cozy up this entryway in designer Linda Eyles’ Telluride, Colorado, house. She chose these pieces of wood for their modern look: They’re smooth, with minimal knobs and knots, so they complement the concrete floor. A clear sealer makes the oak low-maintenance. “If our three dogs give a big shake after a muddy hike, cleanup is a simple wipe-down,” she says.

Dated? No, this modern kitchen from Matt Fajkus is dashing thanks to its dark wood paneling. By defining the wide-open floor plan, the walls bring structure to the hub of the home.

Designers Shannon Wollack and Brittany Zwickl took inspiration from Japanese Zen architecture for this Los Angeles bathroom. “The clean lines of the slats feel minimalistic, but they’re still impactful,” Shannon says. Because it’s a moisture-prone space, they went with durable red cedar and spaced the slats 1/4 inch apart.

With its broad panels and sleek, charcoal gray fireplace, this wood wall feels right at home in a modern dining room. Its clean lines complement the room's architecture while the grain provides warmth and texture.

The '70s called and told us that they're obsessed with this Scandinavian spin on their favorite wall treatment. Designer Natalie Myers explains that she took cues from Nordic cabins because she and her team "[...] wanted to give the midcentury home a treehouse feel in a modern way." So they used red oak planks to lighten the look for today.

Designer Shaun Crha’s Long Beach, California, house has a tight floor plan, and his office is tucked into a nook facing a wall. To liven up the view, he attached a tambour panel to the wall with Liquid Nails. The space has become the most popular spot in his house. “My friends and family are always drawn here,” he says.

This living room wall transcends the times with the help of youthful color palette. Bright purple pillows and a red area rug energize the space and bring out the warm tones of the wood paneling. Designer Sarah Stacey also shares that, "The client loves midcentury design and the paneling just further expands on that style."

Dark wood paneling becomes a dramatic focal point in this living room. To ensure that it would complement, rather than compete with, all the contemporary furniture, designer Jordan Iverson outfitted the feature with a flatscreen TV and gas fireplace.

The chic panels in this Berkeley, California, bedroom are plywood covered in birch veneer. Birch, known for its light tone and dramatic graining, is so striking, “it minimizes what else you need in the room,” says architect Megan Carter. Large panels like this are easy to install, and they’re durable, too; these are covered with a clear matte finish that protects them from chipping.

Never understimate the power of a herringbone pattern! The dark wall in this space already looked dramatic, creating a cool contrast to the white walls, but the pattern on top takes it up a notch.

As it flows from the ceiling to the floor, the wood paneling pictured here evokes thoughts of a waterfall. In turn, it spruces up this stall shower and gives the master bathroom a tranquil, spa-inspired look.