You’ve decided to install wall panelling in your home; the next step is choosing the right style. 

Getting the style right is largely personal preference, but there are some basic things to consider if you want to make sure the panels will uplift rather than confuse the aesthetics of a space. 

One way to split the style options is traditional vs modern panels. Thinking about them in this way can help you preempt the atmosphere a particular panel might create in your room.

Before deciding, here are a few important things worth considering. 

Traditional vs modern panelling 

Traditional and modern panelling may serve the same purpose, but their design details can create very different interiors.

• Traditional panelling is usually defined by decorative mouldings, framed sections and classic proportions. It often takes inspiration from Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian interiors, where panelling was originally used to protect walls while adding architectural detail. This style works particularly well in period homes and can make a room feel more refined and inviting.
• Modern panelling, by contrast, focuses on simplicity. It often features clean lines, minimal detailing and larger uninterrupted sections. Curvature and sleek painted designs all fall into the modern category. Rather than blending quietly into a room, contemporary panelling can create a sharper design statement.

It is also worth remembering that “traditional” and “modern” are fairly loose design terms. 

Different interior designers, decorators and manufacturers may define them slightly differently depending on their own style or the type of property they work with. 

For example, one designer may describe simple shaker-style panelling as traditional, while another may see it as a more transitional look. Bear that in mind while you shop, to avoid any confusion. 

What to consider before choosing? 

Rather than treating the two categories as fixed rules, it is often more helpful to see them as a spectrum of styles that can be adapted to suit your home. 

1. The current style of your home or room

You might like a particular style of panel in isolation, but when it’s installed, it will be amongst many other design elements in the room. 

To avoid a dreaded clash of styles, think about how the panels will complement features, such as: 

• Skirting boards
• Flooring
• Fireplaces
• Lighting
• Furniture
• Wall colours

For example, if you have an original Edwardian fireplace, you might find that shaker panelling is more appropriate than ribbed. 

The goal is not necessarily to match everything exactly, but to make sure the panelling feels intentional rather than out of place. 

2. The atmosphere you want to create

Certain panelling styles can evoke different atmospheres in a room; this is largely because we unconsciously associate certain shapes and designs with different eras. 

Consider this when choosing your panelling - how do you want to feel when you walk into the space? 

Some more traditional panel styles like wainscotting can make a room feel cosy, curated, and even elegant. 

Whereas styles like slat, are quite bold and clean. Obviously, this can really depend on where and how you use them. It’s quite typical to use modern panel styles like ribbed on feature walls behind beds or media units, for this reason. 

3. The size of the room 

Panelling can change how the proportions of a room feel. 

In smaller rooms, heavily detailed panelling can sometimes make the walls feel busier than intended. Simpler modern styles often help maintain a sense of openness, especially when painted in lighter shades. 

In larger rooms, more traditional designs can add depth and prevent wide empty walls from feeling flat. 

But it’s not only size, think about shape too. How practical is it to install shaker panelling when you don’t have four clean lines in the space? This could be quite challenging.  

4. Whether it’s a whole room or feature room 

As we mentioned earlier, some panels are better suited for feature walls than others. 

If you used shaker-style on one wall, there’s a potential for it to look very flat, whereas utilising it in spaces like a hallway or stairway can complement the transition of that space. 

Modern panelling is often used more selectively, particularly as a feature wall behind or on:

• Beds
• Kitchen islands
• Media units

A single panelled wall can create impact without overwhelming the space, especially in more contemporary interiors. 

5. The function of the room 

Finally, think about how the room is used day to day.

A formal dining room or hallway may suit a more traditional style that adds presence and character. In contrast, a bedroom or home office may benefit from the simplicity of modern panelling, which can help the space feel calmer and less visually busy.

Practicality matters too. In family homes, walls in busy areas can be knocked, touched or marked more often, so the design should feel as functional as it is attractive. A style that looks beautiful in a showroom should also work for the way you actually live.

How to break convention 

Of course, choosing between traditional and modern panelling does not always mean sticking rigidly to one style. 

Some of the most interesting interiors come from blending the two, using classic panelling shapes in a more contemporary way. A traditional moulded panel painted in a deep charcoal, soft black, or bold olive can instantly feel more modern, while minimalist panelling in a warm neutral shade can soften a contemporary space. 

The finish, colour and surrounding décor can often influence the final look just as much as the panel design itself, giving you more freedom to create something that feels personal rather than predictable. 

Next steps…

Choosing between traditional and modern panelling is rarely about selecting one style over another in absolute terms. It is more about understanding what works best in your home and what feels most natural in the room you are designing.

Sometimes the easiest way to decide between traditional and modern panelling is to see the options side by side. 

Browse our full collection of decorative wall panelling to explore designs that suit everything from classic interiors to more contemporary spaces.