Aged wood wall panels are a fabulous way to add interest and texture to plain walls. The light color brightens up a space, offering the perfect backdrop for a variety of decorating styles.
You’ve made a good choice if you’ve decided to start with our aged wood panels. Now let’s talk about ways you can decorate around this versatile style element. The possibilities are exciting!
How to Decorate with Faux Aged Wood Panels
Farmhouse
Whether it’s a nod to Chip and Joanna Gaines’ signature aesthetic, or simply that folks want a style that’s both sleek and cozy, modern farmhouse style is having a moment.
A blend of industrial and lived-in, farmhouse style is characterized by light-colored wood wall décor. Variations including shiplap and lighter, distressed wood pieces. You’ll also find iron hardware, exposed beams, butcher-block counters, hardwood floors, subway tile backsplashes, open shelving, farm style sinks and industrial style light fixtures.
The color palette for this aesthetic is often shades of soft and neutral: white, gray, cream, navy, sage, blush—although pops of bright color such as lemon yellow can also work with this style.
Furniture is often a mix of industrial—think metal dining chairs—and traditional farmhouse.. Textiles trend toward linen and cotton, slipcovers for sofas, sisal or jute rugs and cozy soft throw blankets and pillows.
Décor is characterized by the look of repurposed or reclaimed pieces you might find on a farm: wooden crates, milk bottles, zinc watering cans and mason jars. And don’t forget some greenery: potted house plants, flowers or herbs like sage and rosemary are beautiful, living touches to finish out your space.
Rustic
A bit more down-to-earth than traditional farmhouse, rustic style looks to the outdoors and natural materials for inspiration. Think of log cabins, ranches in the west and even a grand old Tuscan country home. Rustic style can have many variations to suit your particular tastes.
Rustic style includes raw, worn-feeling touches such as hand-scraped wood floors or rough stone, reclaimed wood accents, aged or reclaimed wood paneling, exposed or whitewashed brick walls, and exposed beam ceilings.
Fixtures can vary in style from pieces made with antler for a cabin, to iron for an urban home, to wrought iron or horseshoes for a ranch.
The color schemes can range from neutrals such as gray, white, sage and camel, to deeper colors such as forest green, rust, turquoise, red and brown. Think of inspiration from nature, whether it’s a forest, a desert, mountains or pastures.
Textiles can be worn leather, faux fur or animal hide, or other cozy materials. Furniture can include comfortable oversized dark leather pieces, sturdy worn wood, canvas and burlap, sheepskin and cowhide.
Décor is geared to the specific look you’re after: lodge-style for a cabin, cowboy chic for a ranch, and even world travel for an urban setting. Steer clear of plastics, modern patterns and super-sleek designs.
Shabby Chic
This style has been around for a while, and its staying power can be attributed to its low-key, lived-in aesthetic. Characterized by blending vintage and newer pieces, soft colors, chipped paint and a slightly more feminine vibe, shabby chic is about remembering bygone eras with fresh, stylish updates.
Aged panel walls are a good backdrop for this aesthetic. Fixtures and hardware can run along the same lines as farmhouse or rustic homes, but lean more stylish than heavy-duty. Furniture is generally antiquish, whether it’s actually old, or simulated with glazing and finishes, sanding and distressing the finish.
The shabby chic color scheme leans on soft colors: bright white, off white, taupe and pastels. Accent colors like turquoise and red are also common, particularly for painted furniture pieces.
Comfortable fabrics such as linen and cotton slipcovers are common for this style. More than anything, floral, feminine prints and patterns characterize shabby chic.
Décor can include heirlooms such as flowered china, antique chandeliers, vintage artwork, flea market finds or pieces that merely look like your grandmother passed them down to you. Embrace timeless and sentimental items to achieve a charming-yet-comfortable look.
Beach
Just like beach towns around the world vary widely, beach style décor can take on many different forms (Tropical, Mediterranean, Cape Cod, etc). This style’s common thread is a love of the ocean, present in the color scheme, bleached white elements, natural materials, bright natural light and décor. You don’t necessarily have to have nautical décor to have beach style.
Starting with a bright or soft white present in aged wood panels and white ceilings, a beach or coastal design embraces natural light from windows and skylights.
Fixtures and hardware can range from brass to wrought iron and nickel.
The color scheme is vitally important in a beach style home. Begin with bleached white and whitewash, soft grays and sages, and then think about blues: navy, denim, turquoise and sapphire. Accent colors such as yellow, red or orange are perfect complements.
Rattan or wicker furniture, light weathered or whitewashed wood, canvas and cotton materials keep the vibe breezy and restful. Clean lines and a functional feel fit this style without being industrial or shiny.
When it comes to décor, you can swing nautical, tropical, world-traveler style—or you can steer clear of anything with seashells—the choice is yours.
French Country
If you like lived-in style with a bit more elegance, French Country might be the aesthetic for you. Blending soft, peaceful colors, a nod to antique styles and touches of ornate detail, French Country starts with beautiful architecture like high ceilings, carved molding and big windows.
If these architectural elements aren’t available, aged wood panel walls are the perfect way to pay homage at a lower price point. Hardwood floors define this style.
Wrought iron fixtures, hardware, chandeliers and sconces are great choices, although brass can also work depending on your décor.
You’ll want to stick with white and off white as your main colors, but additional colors in the palette can include gray, light sage, denim, lavender and blush.
Finishes on furniture are often distressed or weathered. Look for distinctively French styling on a couple of pieces—this is easily visible on dining chairs, desks, armoires and other wooden items. Carefully tailored upholstery is another signature of this style; again, in silhouettes that are classically French. Ruffles, ruching and tufting are great ways to add interest in this style. Look for toile, stripes and floral prints as accent pieces—not overwhelming the space.
Look to France’s Provence region for décor inspiration: lavender blooms, clocks, old books, vintage illustrations and scrolling script are classic in this style. Stick with vintage, antique, weathered, worn and natural materials. Blooming bouquets strategically placed for visual impact are great final touches.
Faux aged wood paneling works in many styes
If your home design includes a couple different styles in different rooms, or a combination of styles in the same room, don’t worry: our aged wood paneling can help bring it all together. Fitting into multiple aesthetics with an unassuming but beautiful look, faux aged wood paneling makes an excellent common theme for many kinds of homes.