Do wood-paneled walls immediately transport you back a few decades to the shag-carpeted ’70s?

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Or perhaps you picture a far more rustic scene where reclaimed planks lend a cabin-inspired feel to a countryside escape? This style may have come and gone over time, but if there’s one thing an Expert knows how to do, it’s challenge design expectations.

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For that reason, designers like Jake Arnold and Tali Roth have been incorporating the look into their spaces to amazing results. Paneling, after all, can be endlessly versatile and suitable for spaces that range from classic pre-war to mid-century modern and cool contemporary. The type of wood grain you choose, the style of paneling you install, and, of course, the overall design of your space all play key roles in how this feature can accentuate your interiors.

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Simply put: wood-paneled walls can be nothing short of transformational. Here’s how 10 Experts style them in distinct, sophisticated ways.

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Mixed Textures

Because of their small size, bathrooms are great spaces to step outside of your design comfort zone. This one by Alison Giese Interiors makes a bold statement, thanks to the unexpected combination of wood-paneled walls and a large, striking stone sink. Two matching pleated sconces are the cherry on top of this well-considered design.

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Relaxed Rustic

Vertical planks—with a matching paneled ceiling—in this room by Amber Interiors offer a natural, organic look that gives the space an immediate cozy feel. A matte finish keeps the wood contemporary and cool, while smart details, like a small offset sconce, and neutral upholstery elevate the overall interior.

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Sophisticated Salon

The wood paneling in this living space by Diego Delgado-Elias lends a traditional element to an otherwise modern room. Because the warm, cherry wood paneling doesn’t fully extend to the ceiling, it keeps the space looking expansive and open, but still gives it a more intimate feel.

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Blonde Built-in

There’s so much to admire about this mid-century-inspired space by Hadley Wiggins, from its recessed ceiling to its bookshelves and elegant burl table. But what makes the space so special is its use of tonal wood applications throughout, from the floors to the walls and ceiling.

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Eclectic Cabin

With its distinctive wood grain, the dark paneling in this bedroom by HÁM Interiors offers a definitively rustic appeal—ideal for a country home. The eclectic mix of patterns in the bedframe and linens enhances the offbeat charm of this room.

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Golden Touch

In this sophisticated bathroom design by Jake Arnold, wooden wainscoting, paired with textured wallpaper, creates a monochromatic look that really allows the details of the space to shine. A stained glass window, a marble sink, and a crystal sconce all add to a sense of refinement.

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Elevated Comfort

There’s something cozy yet contemporary about the wooden board and batten walls in this Upper West Side apartment by Jessica Helgerson. They accentuate the height of the ceiling and lend a textural element to the space that makes it look dynamic and defined.

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Farmhouse Luxe

With its dramatic high ceiling, this living space by Olivia Williams Studio has an innately sophisticated appeal. But contrast is key in this interior: dark, rustic wood paneled walls and an earthy stone fireplace are such an unexpected match for a collection of contemporary Pierre Yovanovitch armchairs and a sweeping sectional that it all works together perfectly.

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Mid-Century Study

The smooth oak-paneled walls in this living room by Studio Mellone give the space a distinctly mid-century-inspired appeal, while a braided rug enhances the space’s warmth via contrasting texture. Those provide the ideal foundation for bolder pieces, like a deep blue corduroy sofa and a dynamic, glass-topped coffee table.

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Modern Moody

Wide, espresso-colored wood panels in this interior by Tali Roth Designs make a striking contrast to light wooden floors and a white ceiling—and they create the perfect backdrop for a contemporary dining area with sculptural chairs and a long, upholstered bench. Two large-scale pieces of art shine against the dark walls’ sleek wood grain for a harmonious result.

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