Six Hotel Panelling Ideas We’re Taking Home With Us

There are some hotels that offer more than a place to rest your head for the night. If you’ve ever tried to take a sly photo of that fancy bar in the lobby or beautiful photo wall, you’ll know the magical feeling of a beautifully decorated room. 

Suddenly, you’re reconsidering the colour of your bedroom, wondering whether you could squeeze an armchair into that empty corner and, in our case, thinking about wall panelling.

From rich, full-height wood to understated painted panels, panelling can make a room feel grander, cosier, or simply more curated. 

So, consider this our hotel-inspired moodboard. Here are eight hotel panelling ideas we’d happily check into at home.

1. Romantic and bold at The Gleneagles Hotel 

The Gleneagles Hotel has retained many of its original Victorian features, including oak panelling, stained glass and ornate fireplaces - that’s part of its identity.

But they’ve done something clever: they’ve decorated a space that feels both traditional and contemporary. 

They’ve done this through colour, for example, warm rusty pinks with olive greens. As well as combining elements like traditional wainscoting panelling with modern floral wallpaper to elevate their bedrooms.  

The mix works because the newer elements don’t compete with the building’s existing character.

The idea we’re taking home: a home with traditional elements doesn’t have to feel traditional. You can honour a room's classic elements and introduce modern styling for a balance. 

2. Think about upscale functional at Coworth Park 

Coworth Park in Ascot is a classic country house, but they understand that guests need functionality as well as style. 

In a room like a gym, panelling can still make a space feel stylish despite it not being a room designed for rest or relaxation. And rather than making the panelling the main feature, it’s used to add subtle structure to the room. It’s an approach that could work just as well in a home gym, utility room or other hardworking space.

The idea we’re taking home: let the texture and shadows of the panelling do the work. 

3. Go maximal art with Langdale Chase 

Overlooking Lake Windermere, Langdale Chase is exactly the kind of hotel that makes you want to settle in for the evening.

Its rich wood panelling adds warmth to the interior, helping larger rooms feel cosy rather than imposing. Paired with soft furnishings and lots of wall art, the room is maximalist, but it still feels like it’s been designed with thought. It still feels cohesive. Introducing panelling doesn’t mean you can’t decorate to your heart’s content!

The idea we’re taking home: use wood panelling and wall art to create even more character in a space.

4. Colour drench with Cowley Manor Experimental 

Cowley Manor Experimental makes a strong case for embracing wood. Warm panelling sits alongside bold colour, pattern and contemporary furniture, giving the Cotswolds country-house setting a much more playful feel.

It’s a good reminder that wood panelling doesn’t automatically mean traditional. Pair it with colourful furniture and modern accessories, and it can feel surprisingly fresh.

The idea we’re taking home: don’t be afraid to cover a whole wall in wood, just keep the rest of the room playful (like the fun yellow tone above). 

5. Create your statement piece with The Hoxton 

The Hoxton Holborn lives in a much more urban area than many of the other hotels on this list. It leans into that high-end industrial feel by pairing dark panelling with a contemporary gold trim. 

And by utilising panelling in a defined area, like a bar, it gives the space a wow-factor without having to lean on bold colours or ostentatious furniture. The ribbed style of panelling also adds some additional texture to the room; its curved shape feels organic and inviting. 

The idea we’re taking home: choose the panelling style to suit the room. It doesn’t have to look traditional.

6. Turn traditional into luxe at The Pig Hotel 

THE PIG is particularly good at making interiors feel collected rather than decorated. Vintage furniture, artwork, pattern and natural materials all sit comfortably alongside traditional details such as panelling.

It’s proof that panelled walls don’t need a perfectly coordinated room around them.

The idea we’re taking home: don’t make everything match. Panelling can look even better in a room that feels as though it has evolved over time.

Bringing hotel-inspired panelling home

What these hotels show is just how versatile panelling can be. It can feel grand or relaxed, traditional or contemporary, depending on the colour, material and room around it.

Instead of starting with a particular panel style, think about the atmosphere you want to create first to get that wonderful feeling you get when walking into a beautiful hotel for the first time. Then choose the panelling that helps you get there.

Explore the Panels by Sofia collection to find a style for your own hotel-inspired interior.