Wall panels aren't a new concept, but they are a great solution if you have an ugly, problem wall that needs covering or if you simply want to add texture and shape to a room. Often described as 3D wallpaper, once installed, you can leave the panels as is or you can paint them any color you wish. Some can be easily removed, which makes them a great solution for renters. Here are 6 green versions to consider:
1. Inhabit Wall Flats: made from molded bagasse, a fiber that's left over after the juice is removed from sugarcane. Non-toxic and biodegradable. $85 for 10 tiles that cover up to 22.5 square feet.
2. WallArt 3d Wall Panels: also made from bagasse, making them recycled, compostable and 100% biodegradable. Available in 16 different patterns.
3. B + N Industries Reclaimed Wood Iconic Panels: includes three species: Western Redwood (revitalized wine tanks from the Pacific Northwest), Oregon Black Walnut (procured from urban salvage in Oregon), and Old Growth Douglas Fir (recycled from warehouse deconstruction - beams are picked from the best, tightest grain).
4. Mio Paperforms: made from 100% post- and pre-consumer waste paper, and can be installed temporarily with double-sided tape or permanently with wallpaper paste. $34 for 12 one square foot tiles.
5. Architectural Systems Eco-Dimensions Bamboo Wall Panels: made from pressed bamboo pulp, the lightweight panels come in six patterns. Available unfinished in a white coloration, or can be painted or stained.
6. modularArts Interlocking Rock Tiles: made of high grade industrial gypsum, and can be mounted to your walls with 2 screws. $150 for 6 tiles that are each 16" x 16".
MORE WALL PANELS ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• A DIY Modular Wall Treatment
• How To: Install Inhabit Wall Flats
(Images: as credited above)
100 DIY Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Flatwa...
On Saying No to Paleo: Why Eating Isn't One Size Fits All
Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
These are awful pricy considering your average wall is 100 sq feet.
I'm creating a hallway in my new rental house with an expedit (I can't bear front doors that open into lounge rooms), and this would be great to create some interest on the ply panel I'm going to attach to the back! Have you got any recommendations for Australian sources? I know I don't speak for everyone, but given that AT readers come from all over, it would be great if some of these round-ups featured European and Australian sources!
I LOVE the architectural tiles, however... I foresee a headache trying to dust those suckers. SO LOVELY! I could see using them on a small scale if concerned for price. Maybe as a headboard or something.
Very cool. I wonder if I could use these to cover up a big wall of granite that surrounds my fireplace.
I love the first set. Dreaming up walls this will work on in my rental place already.
I'm thinking of doing a similar accent wall but with vinyl ceiling tiles - a lot of them are only $3 a piece and they come in a lot of styles (modern and traditional/victorian).
http://www.amazon.com/Foam-Decorative-Ceiling-Tile-Astana/dp/B004L6BHCO
My personal pick is above, I like something a little more classical than the modern wall tiles posted about here.
S.R.K.: now you're talking!
I *adore* the old-style pressed-tin, or replicas.
*shudder* Please make them stop, they are hideous.
This is a great solution, but my god! is it ever an expensive one. My place is covered with awful amber wood panels circa 1970-something and while this solution would be much better looking, it's not very economical at all!
Can you tell me if the can help with sound.
I added an extension to the back of our house (open kitchen next to sunken family room ) with high ceilings. It's hard to hear people talk when the TV is on. I don't know what to do, I thought this might absorb the sound but I don't want to invest for strictly decoration.
Any body know the answer? Thanks
Along with YWOLF, I am wondering too, whether these panels help to modify sound. I would think they do, given their construction and design, but to what extent is the issue. I also agree with SEWTRASHY about the need for dusting. My husband is horribly allergic to dust (lucky me) and so our home features minimal nooks and crevices. However I love the idea of these panels. Wouldn't they make an excellent backdrop in a media room?
I don't know - these textures are really deep. I wonder if there aren't more shallow, more subtle ones...
Not eco-friendly I suppose, but how about styrofoam ceiling tiles instead? I found some that ran about $3 per tile. I bought a couple from Amazon, painted them gold, and am going to put them up behind my couch.
The final pic of the accent wall behind the artichoke pendant is pretty nice, but these 3-D effects will need to be dusted regularly, so I pass.
S.R.K., or anyone for that matter.... I love the idea of using the cheaper ceiling tiles to create this look, but I rent an apartment. Is there any way to put up the ceiling tiles that would be somewhat easily removable?