Kitchen panelling ideas are an easy, affordable way to add flair to your cooking space. Whether it's alongside an island, along a wall or behind the sink, wall panelling creates a warm, trendy look while also hiding electrical work or blank walls.
“Incorporating wall paneling into your kitchen design is a great way to create visual interest and texture, so it's no wonder more and more homeowners are incorporating wall paneling into their kitchens,” recommends Ruth Lavender, design expert at Benchmarx Kitchens.
They come in a variety of styles to suit your kitchen aesthetic ideas: narrow wood grain panels match a natural Scandinavian look, while painted grooved panels are the perfect touch for a traditional space.
Not sure where to start? These paneled kitchen ideas will help you bring that look into your space, no matter how bold you want to go.
Kitchen Panel Ideas
Kitchen wall panels have established themselves as a popular kitchen trend that instantly makes a space look “stylish.” The great thing about this stylish feature is that you can really choose how you want to present it. If you want a bold wood look, consider adding it to the fronts of your cabinets. But if you want to start small, make it stand out behind the stools under your island.
“You can use wood panelling in the kitchen and many other areas – it's up to you whether you leave it as is or paint it. Wood panelling adds texture and definition to your walls that paint alone just can't achieve,” advises Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport.
With an excellent record in furniture design and cabinet making, and knowledge inherited from his father, Aubrey Davonport, an honorary member of the British Woodcarvers' Association, Richard set up his own workshop and later founded the Davonport brand, specialising in the creation of bespoke kitchen furniture.
1. Go for a classic look
(Image courtesy of Future)
Classic wide tongue and groove panels instantly add to any traditional kitchen idea, and if you're leaning towards the idea of a Shaker kitchen, adding a panel effect to the edge of your island will further enhance the classic aesthetic.
Color also plays a big role here: The kitchen island is a great place to try a striking hue that's different from the rest of the cabinetry, but matching the palette with the rest of the kitchen in muted neutrals will allow the paneling to stand out.
2. Add an accent behind the sink
(Image courtesy of Future/Maxwell Attenborough)
If your sink isn’t installed under a window, it won’t offer a good view and washing up can get monotonous. Wall panels are a clever solution to this problem, adding interest to the area.
Paneling also works well with an eclectic farmhouse aesthetic, so adding some open shelving and some pegs for hanging kitchen and cleaning supplies not only makes the space more practical, but it also looks perfectly untouched.
3. Features on the lower side of the island
(Image courtesy of Future/Adam Carter)
If you're looking to update your kitchen design but don't want it to be too obvious, adding a panel to the underside of your island is the perfect solution.
The panels will stand out in certain areas of your kitchen but won't take away from the core design, and DIY is easy as you can buy panel strips from retailers like B&Q and apply them yourself – an affordable solution for upgrading your kitchen design without renovating your cabinets.
“Another popular option is a grooved island. Inspired by Egyptian architecture, it's a simple and effective way to add detail in both colour and material,” adds Ruth. “We recommend grooved island on the opposite side of the kitchen from the main cabinet wall. That way, cupboards and drawers can be hidden on the other side of the island, so you don't have to compromise on storage.”
4. Divide your dining area into zones
(Image courtesy of Future/Anna Stathaki)
Placing kitchen wall panels behind the seating area can help you utilise the space by dividing it into zones. In an open-plan kitchen, placing panelling in specific areas can be effective in differentiating cooking and dining spaces, keeping them visually separate yet physically connected.
Incorporating paneling into your bench creates a bistro look that's perfect for inviting family and friends to sit and linger, plus painting it a bold colour like red will add a touch of glamour to your kitchen without having to stick to light-coloured cabinets.
5. Hide storage with panels
(Image courtesy of Future)
Long, thin panels are great for hiding seams and doors in your kitchen because the breaks closely resemble gaps in the panel itself, so they're effective at creating a more streamlined design.
If you're a fan of Scandinavian decor, incorporating reeded cabinet fronts will give your kitchen a flowing, sophisticated feel, while if incorporating as many kitchen storage ideas as possible is essential to your planning process, panelling is a clever way to subtly conceal an abundance of drawers and cupboards.
6. Create a feature wall
(Image courtesy of Future/Douglas Gibb)
If you're looking for low-budget ideas to upgrade your kitchen space for less money (or without a full-on renovation), installing wall panels across one entire blank wall can make a big difference.
Painted feature walls are growing in popularity, and a generous smack of color instead has become the latest painting trend for kitchens, but if you're not ready to give all of your walls a thorough renovation, paneling is the next best thing.
“Wall-to-wall panelling creates a distinctive look, especially when combined with kitchen cabinets in the same or contrasting finish. For example, wooden fluted or slatted panelling can be combined with nature-inspired tones such as greens and blues to create a rustic, serene feel,” adds Ruth.
Another update is that the panels can be purchased in bulk so you can DIY them yourself, so there's minimal cutting required – instead, you just stick them on the wall without having to worry about matching the pattern like with wallpaper.
7. Add curb appeal to empty spaces
(Image courtesy of Future)
When planning your kitchen layout, you often find that there is dead space that can't be used for storage and where you need to add cabinets, pedestals, etc. For example, instead of opting for a plain wooden board to hide lights or an extractor fan, consider adding a panel to that area to act as a decorative element.
They add character to your layout and their low cost makes them a great alternative to long backsplashes that can cost a lot more.
8. Make the most of reeded cabinet doors
(Image courtesy of Harvey Jones/Soon)
Already a fan of kitchen panelling and want to take it a step further? Reed cabinets are the way to go for a more tactile design.
“Channeled kitchen cabinets are a fun way to introduce texture and the curved trend into your kitchen space,” says Melissa Klink, creative director at Harvey Jones.
“The reed design creates a modern finish and reflects light and shadow throughout the room. It can be used as a statement piece to highlight a particular section of the kitchen or used across the entire cabinetry for an impactful design.”
FAQ
Are panels cheaper than tiles?
Sticking to a budget is essential when renovating a kitchen, but there can be a lot of unexpected costs that add to the final total, so it's always good to know what options can save you a little money.
Panels are often cheaper than tiles, especially if you're installing them in areas you can do yourself without having to pay for labour. Panels are readily available at local DIY stores and require minimal tools to install, making them more affordable than tiles, which can be costly. Tiling also often requires a high level of skill, so if you're unsure of your abilities, it's wise to pay a professional to help you.
Ready to find out how you can add this update to your kitchen?
