5 Unusual Wall Panelling Ideas to Transform Your Room on a Budget
According to Google search data, searches for the term ‘wall panel’ are at an all time high, having increased by 27% since last year, with 1.3m searches in the past month alone. Whilst wall panelling has been a popular interiors trend over recent years, it’s set to get a lot more experimental in 2025. According to decorative wall panelling company, Panels by Sofia, ribbed and fluted panels are proving to be particularly popular, with sales for the products increasing by 275% (ribbed) and 98% (fluted) over the past 6 months alone.
Summa Costandi is the co-founder at Panels by Sofia. She says: “This year, mixing and layering textures in the home is set to be a huge trend and panels are a great way to incorporate this, with very little effort. Wall panels can be used to give some of your current features a makeover, creating statement pieces that really transform the room.”
If you’re looking to revamp your space by adding texture and personality, here are five unique ways to install wall panels.
Upgrade a media wall
Media walls have become a popular feature in our living rooms over the last few years, ultimately due to the growing size of flat-screen televisions and an increase in people buying sound systems and entertainment devices. Whilst these built-in units are great from a storage perspective, in 2025 people are giving them a new lease of life.
Summa says: “Building a media wall is an expensive renovation and not something that is easy to change. Installing wall panels within the alcoves of a media wall is a fantastic way to completely refresh the wall.”
Interiors content creator, Rebecca Forrey of @rebeccaforrey, recently upgraded her media wall using ribbed wall panels: “We loved our media wall but had to make some tweaks to the dimensions in order to fit a bigger TV. We decided to add some new additions, and when I saw the panels I knew they would finish off the project perfectly. I loved how they could be painted to match the room and hadn’t seen anyone do this before.
“We cut the panels to size and added these to both the back and side edges of the shelves. We updated the lighting in the shelves, controlled by an app on our phones, and it shows the panels off beautifully. I am over the moon with the final result!”
Image source: @rebeccaforrey
Product: Ribbed wall panels
Restyle your recesses
It’s often a part of the home that goes unnoticed, but adding some texture to your window recesses can completely elevate your windows. Consider coordinating other areas of the room too, such as cabinets or other small wall edges.
“Panels don’t have to be used on a large feature in the home to make an impact. Adding fluted panels to your window recesses is a subtle way to add depth and create a beautiful, curated window display. Be careful not to place too many accessories on your windowsill, to avoid it appearing cluttered,” explains Summa.
Image source: @clairedouglasstyling
Product: Mini Fluted Wall Panels
Create a beautiful bedroom backdrop
Wall panelling is a great way to add character to a bedroom, whether it’s full height wooden panels behind the bed to add a dramatic backdrop or half height panels to create a feature wall.
Summa advises: “You can really get creative when installing wall panels in the bedroom. Whether you opt for a traditional style, such as tongue and groove, or a more contemporary design such as ribbed, incorporating texture will add depth to the room. Consider muted, earthy colour tones to create a cosy and relaxing sleep environment.”
Image source: @the_welham
Product: Fluted Wall Panels
Revive your kitchen cabinets
If your kitchen units are looking a little dated, installing fluted panels can help to transform the overall look of the room, creating a smart, contemporary finish.
Summa suggests: “Fitting fluted panels is an easy and affordable way to update your kitchen without a full renovation. You don’t need to install panels to every cabinet either, consider adding them underneath a breakfast bar or kitchen island to make the feature stand out. Alternatively, you could add the panels to the lower cabinets only in your kitchen, to stylishly blend textures.”
Image source: @its_all_about_the_house
Product: Mini Ribbed Wall Panels
Frame your fireplace
The fireplace is a feature that can often be overlooked in the living room. Installing panels to the front of the mantlepiece is a quick and easy way to upgrade your fireplace.
“Opt for ribbed panels for a sophisticated and timeless design. When painting your panels, choose a colour that blends with the shades of the room or, make a statement with a contrasting colour to make the feature stand out,” says Summa.
Image source: @klk_interiors
Product: Mini Ribbed Wall Panels