Modern Ways To Add Or Upgrade Wood Paneling In Your Kitchen

Natural wood paneling is pleasantly warm and inviting. This decorative detail can make any kitchen feel much cozier. Variations of wood paneling have been popular in homes over the past decades, but with different trending styles, some paneling looks outdated nowadays. Picture the dark wood paneling of the 1970s, which is fabulous for a retro kitchen, but not desirable if you're trying to go more modern. If you want to include the warmth of wood paneling, but in a contemporary style, we've rounded up some ideas to use this beautiful natural material in your contemporary kitchen. The ideas ahead range from renter-friendly upgrades for a more chic kitchen to renovation ideas for a modern new build.

One of the biggest draws of using wood paneling in a kitchen is how homey it looks. The material has a laid-back feel and can introduce a natural element into modern kitchens, which can sometimes feel too sleek and polished. There are also lots of ways to incorporate it, from an entire wood-clad wall to wood panel detailing on a ceiling. Keep reading for some beautiful modern ways you can add or upgrade wood paneling in the heart of your home.

Newly-painted walls can make all the difference in a kitchen's appearance. If you have wood-paneled walls, painting them is one way to transform your space without undergoing a major renovation. It's a less expensive and less involved option than remodeling, though there are some steps you need to take for painting wood. You can also consider painting other wood-paneled elements in your kitchen apart from walls. A fresh coat can update the look of a paneled island or cabinets.

As this photo from @lifestyleiwth_lo shows, a wood-clad wall can look much more updated with new paint: In this case, the designer used white paint to match a modern coastal kitchen. This is a popular option that will brighten up any contemporary kitchen, but of course, you can use any paint hue you wish. You can also get more creative, for example, by using two hues to paint a two-toned shiplap. Plus, be sure to follow Joanna Gaines's tips for painting your wood paneling.

Adding decor is one of the best ways to upgrade wood paneling if you can't make any big changes. This video from @creatingahomebody shows one distinctive way to update a wood-paneled wall, creating a custom plate display rack over existing shiplap. If you like this idea but don't want to build your own, you can use a children's book display rack like the FOTOSOK wall shelf ($79.99 on Amazon), or go all-out with the beautiful Elegance Plate Display from Ballard Designs ($659). Also, you don't have to use the rack to display plates—you can use it as a small shelf for any decor, which is why it's one of the best ways to take advantage of vertical space in a small kitchen. However, due to the weight of the rack, it will need to be screwed into wall studs, so it's not the most renter-friendly option.

If you want to take a renter-friendly route, use Command picture hanging hooks or other similar damage-free alternatives to hang lightweight decor, like picture frames. A gallery wall is a popular way to make a personalized style statement and distract from a wood-paneled wall that you don't love but can't renovate. This idea is essentially about adding something more eye-catching to a wood-clad wall to draw focus away from it and improve the overall look of the area. 

When people picture a wood-paneled kitchen, they usually think of wooden walls. That's far from the only option for placement though. Wood paneling can go pretty much anywhere you want to put it. One distinctive spot to install it is on the ceiling. This adds the beauty of a natural material overhead and can instantly make a kitchen feel more cozy.

Just like paneling on your walls, you can take creative liberties to make your ideal design. A partially paneled section, like over an island in this example, creates bold borders and a feeling of visual separation in a room. Or, you can cover the entire ceiling area to create a chamber-like feel. Cover both the ceiling and walls for a cocoon-like atmosphere that is extra homey. Different choices of wood can also contribute to overall aesthetic. For example, choose wide knotty pine planks for a rustic kitchen. Opt for light and smooth minimalist panels for a more modern appearance.

Another attractive spot to stick wood paneling is on the side of a kitchen island. It can add a handsome accent to an otherwise boring part of the room. Since it's a smaller surface, this can also be a cheaper renovation, and since it's easy to reach, it's also a project you can easily DIY. Even if you have a lot of wood paneling in your kitchen, it's nice to highlight the island. For example, in this photo, the change in texture brings more dimension to this wood-heavy kitchen. If you're designing a new island entirely, also consider these kitchen island ideas to add storage and counter space to your cooking area.

If you choose to undertake a DIY, keep in mind that you can fake the look of a wood-sided island with peel-and-stick products. For example, the Urban Decor Wall Panels ($71.99 on Amazon) are vinyl peel-and-stick panels with a realistic wood plank look. Or, for a temporary fix, opt for a renter-friendly contact paper that has a wood grain pattern, like the Decotalk Walnut Wood Contact Paper ($39.99 on Amazon) Compared to decorating a wall, it's harder to notice fake panels on this smaller space which is usually below eye level.

One of the simplest ways to add wood paneling to a kitchen is to choose a blank wall and cover it with your paneling of choice. Wood panels make for a gorgeous wall accent that adds texture and depth. They're especially nice if you want to bring in a natural element to a modern kitchen that feels cold and mechanical. Deep wood colors can add instant warmth, and there are lots of design options, from plain, smooth panels, to board and batten designs, to trending slat walls like the one pictured. Consider matching the accent panel to other wood elements in your kitchen to make the overall design more cohesive.

You don't have to cover a full wall, either, to incorporate this type of decorative accent. A skinny floor-to-ceiling panel can make a big visual impact for a low cost. A small section of wainscoting is another option, which you can combine with patterned wallpaper on the top section to create a more traditional-looking kitchen accent wall.

White tile backsplashes are popular, but they can look a little sterile, especially in very minimalist or modern kitchens. Consider using wood instead of tile to bring a quaint farmhouse twist to a contemporary space. The natural material offsets sleek stainless steel appliances and stone countertops beautifully. Even when it's painted white, it gives the kitchen a cozier cottage feel compared to white tile, as shown in this picture. For even more old-fashioned charm, stick to natural wood tones.

The idea of a wood backsplash may raise some concerns. Wood is susceptible to water damage, so a backsplash will need to be sealed and maintained. Wood is also flammable, so it's not ideal for high-heat areas. With these aspects in mind, you can choose to install wood backsplashes in areas that are not exposed to extreme heat or water. Or, even better, you can opt for tile that looks like wood—so it has the durability benefits of tile but the coziness of wood. The Daltile Walnut Glazed Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile ($1.49 per square foot at Home Depot) is an example of this type of product.

If you want kitchen wood paneling with a whole lot of charm, wainscoting is one of the top options to consider. It takes up the lower portion (at least one-third) of the wall and has a very traditional feel. Placed in a modern kitchen, it brings an old-fashioned touch that's extra homey. 

If you really want to lean traditional, choose real wood products (it's hard to beat the real thing) in natural colors. If you want to take on this project yourself, oak and maple are some of the best types of wood for DIY wainscoting. You can also buy pre-made wooden panels. But, there are other options if you're looking for an easy DIY install. Lighter-weight plastic products like the House of Fara White Vinyl Reversible Paneling ($65.88 for 3 pieces at Home Depot) are light and simple to apply as wainscoting or on any part of the wall. Lastly, there are also peel-and-stick trim products like the DekorosHomeDesign Ready Assemble Wall Molding Kit ($159.25 on Etsy) which you can attach to walls and then paint to mimic the look of wainscoting without using full wall panels.

Want to create separation in an open plan kitchen? You can use wood paneling to do so. Just keep in mind, since it's not wall-mounted, you'll need to use wood paneling products that look good from both sides. Make your own partial walls if you want them to be customizable and made of solid wood. Otherwise, most products in the market are dividers that you can see through, like popular slat room dividers. This peek-a-boo style is nice; it keeps the kitchen open and bright while providing some visual separation.

There are a few product types to choose from. For example, the CraftivaArt Modern Wood Slat Room Divider (starting at $304 from Etsy) is a typical plain divider, similar to the one in this photo. For an adjustable divider, consider the Andor Willow Wood Slat Room Divider (starting at $525). The slats can twist "closed" (like vertical blinds) for more privacy when it's needed. Otherwise, another more decorative option is something like the CraftivaArt Walnut Wall Hanging (starting at $15.95 per panel on Etsy), made of wood veneered panels cut into patterns for a more ornate style than basic slats. While it's not the same as installing a wood panel, renters can take advantage of freestanding wooden privacy screens. For example, the Enclo Tiaga Privacy Screen ($126 on Amazon) gives the warm appearance of a large wooden panel, with no risk of damaging the space.

Slat wall panels are the recent trending panel style, so you can find plenty of these products on the market. They look more modern than traditional styles like tongue and groove or bead and batten paneling. Plus, these slatted panels can be more affordable and easier to install than solid wood panels, and as an added benefit, they're great at absorbing sound. But, does a regular slat wall feel boring to you? Purchase wall slats in individual square panels and rotate them at different angles to create your own design.

This photo shows a fabulous example using the Naturewall SlatWall Mini Natural Oak (starting at $49.99 per panel). You can combine these with individual slats, like the Naturewall SlatWall Waterproof Individual Slats ($32.99), to truly make a personalized wall. Carved or fluted panels are another option that have a similar contemporary look to slat wall panels, but can come in a wide variety of designs. One of our favorite designs is the unique geometric pattern of the Articture Euclid Stained Wooden Wall Panels ($49).

Another benefit of smaller wood panels is that you can use them to fill more finicky spaces. This is a simple idea but worth mentioning: wood paneling looks beautiful around cupboards. If you don't have a spare wall space for an accent wall, this is a beautiful alternative.

When done right, it looks striking. In this kitchen, the paneling is flush with the cabinet doors and looks very cohesive. However, it uses a very different type of wood panel (slats instead of smooth) to separate the spaces and add texture. Pictured above, the 3D Acoustic Slat Walnut Wood Wall Panel (starting at $179) comes in a variety of sizes, which makes it easier to fit to your area. They're great at insulating noise too, so they're ideal for bustling kitchens.

Wood paneling products can be used to your advantage. There's a variety of options designed to hide stuff away, not just provide a lovely wood accent. This video from @lorenehetherington shows a few examples, including a range hood cover and a large door that hides the fridge, both made of wood.

The latter is already a favorite feature amongst designers. Fridge compartments with a large wood panel door hide the appliance, are large enough to make a stylish statement, and are associated with luxury. You can shop other products too though if you want to cover other appliances in your kitchen. For example, the Castlewood Rustic Shiplap Wood Range Hood is designed to hide your range hood, while adding a bold and natural style feature that wood paneling is known for. 

Smaller planks of wood are popular for wall paneling for good reason: They're much easier to work with than large sheets of wood — and often cheaper, too. But, it's hard to beat the beauty of a large, solid wood panel. Single slabs are perfect if you really want to display the natural grain of the wood. They show the wood as-is, cut from mother nature, instead of creating a pattern from multiple pieces put together.

There's also an air of luxury to these large single panels. They're not as readily available, and the heavy pieces may require professional installation. You'll likely need to order a panel from a local lumber vendor since large options aren't available at most home stores. The TimberGrain Collection Natural Veneered Solid Panel from C.W. Woodcraft is an example of this type of product; it comes in a 4-foot by 8-foot cut or you can pay a little extra to get a custom size.

Wood paneling doesn't have to be plain. If modern planks and slabs feel a little too sharp and geometric, you can find plenty of patterned options that create unique and eye-catching designs. This photo shows one example from Articture: it's the brand's Timber Flow Wood Mosaic Wall Panel ($599), which is cut in a distinctive squiggly shape using a variety of wood tones and naturally weathered to give the panels a gorgeous finish. This is one of many bold designs available—there's a lot more than just shiplap and slat walls on the market lately.

This isn't where the non-linear options end: You can find wall panels cut into distinctive openwork designs like the Off White Whimsy Wood Panels ($59.99 at World Market). There are plenty of more subtle options too, like the Onda Wall Panels which have an organic, wave-like carved pattern that's extra elegant. Luxurious and distinctive, these types of wood panels can take your kitchen style to the next level.

Looking for a smaller-scale project? This one is small enough to do on your own, but its cocoon-like effect can make a big impact. Use wood paneling to decorate the inside of a nook. You can use this idea for any small seating area; it can be as large as a breakfast nook with seating or as small as the inside of a countertop appliance garage or floating shelf wall. Best of all, if you're a renter, you can repurpose this idea and panel the interior of a sideboard or buffet cabinet that you're using as a coffee or bar station. Then, it can come with you when you move. 

Whatever nook you choose to cover, consider paneling both the ceiling and walls to get an enveloping feeling. Choose finishes that contrast to other materials in your kitchen to create separation and makes the space feel even more nook-like. It's possible to take on this project yourself for smaller areas, using a variety of products mentioned above, like wall planks and small slat wall panels that you can cut to size.