Modern rustic panelling ideas
Get on board with these lovely rustic panelling styles

Panelling is back! Placed vertically, horizontally, high or low, its all about experimentation with size, texture and colour.
Put wood to work in a utility room
Create a robust finish with paneling topped by a practical peg rail. ‘Painting Breakfast Room Green on both the wall and the floor gives a natural flow to the room,' says Charlotte Cosby, Head of Creative, Farrow & Ball. ‘Our Estate Eggshell and Floor Paint are designed to be hard-wearing so are ideal for use here.'
Use it to multi-task
Top narrow tongue and groove in a bedroom with a display shelf for pictures and accessories. Thick battens behind the paneling bring it forward far enough to give the shelf depth. The unplastered upper walls add to the rustic style. To copy the look on plastered walls, apply brick-effect wallpaper.
Introduce texture
More appealing than a plain white wall, these painted timber boards catch the light on their uneven surfaces, lending a subtle 3D effect. ‘Vertical panelling creates a lovely illusion of height.' Says Joanna Wood, Interior Designer, Joanna Trading. ‘It can be painted, left bare or stained and varnished. Consider lime washing for a beautiful coastal look.'
Add the charm of yesteryear
Evoke the feel of a country lodge by covering a sloping ceiling as well as the walls in textural wooden boards. The intensely deep maroon shade on the lower panelling helps to anchor the scheme and teams beautifully with the brick floor and hand-crafted bench. To top up the rustic potting-shed effect, put up nostalgic prints of plants and vegetables.
Seek out salvage
Sections of old painted planks and boards create a striking geometric pattern for a feature wall. These have been slotted together in a jigsaw of shapes and textures, but the effect works overall thanks to the limited colour palette. The white table and chairs and white side wall bring a contemporary note to the rustic design.
If you're inspired by these ideas, visit the Country Homes & Interiors homepage for more design secrets...
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.

Thea Babington-Stitt is the Assistant Editor for Ideal Home. Thea has been working across some of the UK’s leading interiors titles for nearly 10 years.
She started working on these magazines and websites after graduating from City University London with a Masters in Magazine Journalism. Before moving to Ideal Home, Thea was News and Features Editor at Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc and Country Homes & Interiors.
-
The best Christmas tree alternatives for small spaces that will work in the tiniest of rooms
Make like a tree, and leave the pine needle trails outside with our top 10 Christmas tree alternatives that won’t overcrowd this Christmas
By Linda Clayton
-
Amazon has gone IRL, launching its first 'Second Chance' pop-up offering home appliances up to 50% off
The retailer is giving returned products a new lease of life at discounted prices
By Jullia Joson
-
10 tips to protect plants from killer frosts - the pros use them and you should, too
When a sudden frost is forecast, take these steps to protect your plants
By Andrea Childs