Horizontal wood paneling is in vogue again, after the unfortunate faux wood-grain varieties that made it less than desirable. But people are updating the look, using salvaged materials and creamy painted finishes, for a fresh interior surface.
There are a few directions one can take. For a more sophisticated, traditional, and slightly country aesthetic, smaller tongue and groove panels painted a soft matte white or beige works nicely. For more modern, rustic flair, large rectilinear oak or pine panels finished with a clear stain seems to be the way to go. People who love and respect wood have had success using salvaged planks, and refinishing them in unobtrusive ways.
In addition to these contemporary takes on the process, many people are actually restoring the original shiplap that came with older houses. Typically, shiplap refers to wood planks attached to the two by four studs that were used as interior walls before they invented sheet rock. Homeowners are now embracing the originality of this architectural convention.
It's clean, simple, and, depending on the materials you use, can be affordable. The need for tons of artwork is eliminated, and whatever you do choose to hang on your wall is highlighted all the more. Here are some examples of horizontal paneling used in various environs.
FIRST ROW
1. Harbor Cottage via Design Skool
2. Revival Furniture
3. Deco Estilo
4. Houzz
5. Architectural Digest
SECOND ROW
1. House Beautiful
2. Design Manifest
3. Houzz
4. Kent Kitchen Works
5. The Nesting Game
Images: As credited above.
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My friend re-did her farmhouse bathroom with horizontal barn slats then caulked and painted them with about 6 coats of glossy paint. It looks great! I never would have thought to do this. They also built a storage shed out of the reclaimed barn wood.
My house was built using all 1x8 horizontal planks throughout the interior (and exteriro). It's beautiful but I have to thoroughly brush and vacuum all the walls periodicall. Those little grooves collect a lot of dust.
Many years ago I used painted shiplap with a chair rail in an ugly rental. The house was all I could afford as a divorced mom with 3 small kids. The landlord allowed me to pretty much do anything I wanted, since the home was in poor repair. I painted the wood white to match the walls since it was a tiny bedroom. I wanted texture. It really gave the room so much character.
I love this soo much.
We just put wood planks on our family room wall and I LOVE them! Great pictures :)