Smart Alternatives to Wood Paneling

 

 

Wood Paneling is a design trend that has received quite a bit of attention this past year.  Many may remember (and probably would like to forget) the wood paneling of the 70s , but wood paneling in its latest reincarnation is quite different, as the latest tones are a bit more grey and have more of a retro-vintage, somewhat industrial look and feel. I wrote about wood paneling not too long ago- one on the revival of wood paneled walls  and the other on patchwork wood paneling, both of which are still popular and continue to get quite a number of page views. Today, I am covering the next thing in wood paneling -  smart alternatives to wood paneling. Installing wood paneling not only can be quite a significant investment, but it can also be a big disruption in the home.  It is also quite permanent, which is why many homes today still have the wood paneling of the 70s still installed in their homes. If you've spent the time and money, you're going to keep it for a while, even if it is well past its design prime (and if I remember correctly, 70s style wood paneling was passé before we even entered the 80s) As a designer, permanent is a big turnoff as we designers want to be able to change things up on a whim .  Any chance to get the look without the hassle AND without the price tag is a plus.

Wallpaper that Looks (and Feels) Like Weathered Wood Paneling

First up is Thibaut's Eastwood wallpaper - a deeply textured scrubbable vinyl wallpaper that not only resembles, but also feel like weathered planks of wood. I first stumbled upon Eastwood when I walked into the Thibaut's High Point showroom last October, and I was blown away at how real it looks and feels.  At $94 for a single roll, this is probably the closest one will get to the wood paneled look without breaking the bank.

And this is a photo I shot of Eastwood this past fall, installed in the most common way - vertically, at Thibaut's High Point Showroom.  I didn't realize it was Stikwood until I came across this smart wood paneling alternative on the Stikwood website.  

And this is a photo I shot of Eastwood this past fall, installed in the most common way - vertically, at Thibaut's High Point Showroom

Over the years, Thibaut has added new colors to Eastwood, which is still a top seller.  Here are the colorways available today.  We sell Thibaut in our showroom and can assist with samples and purchasing should you wish to incorporate Eastwood into your own home or project.  

Wood Veneer wallpaper

Technology has come a long way, especially since I first wrote this blog post almost 10 years ago.  In more recent years, wood veneer wallpaper has become a thing.  It is made of real wood, sliced really think and applied to a substrate.  It is definitely a bit more refined than Thibaut's Eastwood wallpaper.  Because it is rolled, the wood has to be really thin and the wood grain has a finer appearance.  Because it is actual wood, it is also porous, so you don't want to wipe your hand onto it with greasy fingers.  

The old technique of parquetry - cutting and fitting together layers of wood to create patterns, has been applied to wallpaper and thin shapes of wood have been cut and applied to form various wallpaper patterns. Below is a pattern from Thibaut, which is alwasy available in additional colors:

Belgian manufacturer Arté takes the art of parquetry and wood veneer to another level with their complex shapes:

Peel and Stick Wood Planking

The next alternative to wood paneling is Stikwood, the world's first peel and stick solid wood planking.  Stikwood utilizes real hard wood.  A variety of styles are available, ranging from bamboo to reclaimed wood, rustic to contemporary.  The prices range from $8.00 per square foot for a new wood or bamboo, and goes up as high as $12.50 per square foot for a reclaimed wood. It is sustainable, VOC free, and is environmentally friendly, and it is easy to install with the pre-applied adhesive.  In addition, it can be applied a number of ways - horizontally, vertically, or even in a herringbone pattern, which seems to be all the rage at the moment. The adhesive is rated for 10 years but keep in mind that if you do decide to remove it, prying is necessary and expect minor wall repair.

The two shots above were taken a while back during High Point Market. Below are images directly from Stikwood. 

So which one is my favorite, you ask?  I love them all, but for different reasons.   If cost is a consideration, vinyl wallpaper is the way to go.  Thibaut's Eastwood comes out to roughly half of what Stikwood would cost, per square foot.  However, the wood veneer wallpapers can get pricey.  But they are works of art with many hours going into the production of each panel.  If you're doing a small  accent wall or have an unlimited budget, using Stikwood or one of the wood veneer wallpapers would be the way to go.  If you want to make a statement, I'd say wood veneer - it is also a bit more sophisticated.  But if you need more coverage or need to cover every wall in a large room, using Thibaut's Eastwood wallpaper as a wood paneling alternative would be the most economical solution, but is equally as beautiful.  Also, keep in mind the type of area you are covering -  if you are in a high traffic area, a scrubbable vinyl wallpaper such as Eastwood might be the way to go as it is extremely durable and is easily cleaned. Having two boys in my house, who LOVE to run their grimy fingers down the hallway walls when they are walking, and that means that durable and cleanable is of utmost importance in my home.

Should you need assistance purchasing any Thibaut or Arté products, feel free to reach out to our showroom, where we can assist with pricing and ordering: sales@cozystylishchic.com