Hallways are an often overlooked space in the home, simply being seen as a passage from one room to another. Yet, hallways act as a crucial transitional space and can set the tone for your whole house as an elegant and inviting focal point. What’s more, elevating your entryway has never been easier when considering incorporating wall panels. 

Panelling is an easy and versatile way to transform your hallway without breaking the bank, and these hallway panelling ideas show you just how adaptable wall panels can be in your hallway design. Whether you prefer the classic, rustic charm of traditional panelling, or would rather opt for a more modern and sleek finish, this list of twenty hallway panelling tips and tricks will be sure to help you upgrade your entryway to suit your style. 

Dark panels

Choosing rich, dark colours for your hallway wall panelling instantly transforms your space into an elegant and sophisticated focal point for your home. Although it might seem like a dauntingly bold colour statement, dark colours like navy, forest green and even black can add depth to your hallway space, making your entryway feel cosy and inviting. Try colour drenching your hallway by painting or panelling your walls, ceiling, and coordinating furnishings, too, for an extra bold impact! 

Wainscotting

You cannot talk about hallway panelling ideas without mentioning the timeless elegance of wainscot features. Wainscotting, either traditional raised panels or beadboard effects, is a wall panel feature in the bottom half of walls that never goes out of style and immediately creates a classic, homely space.  As these panels don’t extend over the whole walls, this can be a great option if you are looking to combine panelling with wallpaper or painted wall designs too.

A corner of a hallway with two adjacent doors and a grey sofa, with light blue walls and white wainscot panelling on the bottom half, and a large circular mirror

Neutral panels

Opting for neutral toned panels in shades of cream, ivory and terracotta is a great modern hallway panelling idea, instantly creating a stylish, minimalistic space. Neutral panels can be combined with personal touches such as frames, shelving and ornaments to design your own unique and cosy entryway. 

Add a pop of colour

Incorporating splashes of colour is a simple yet effective way to add character and personalise your space. Hallway wall panelling is an easy way to infuse your space with colour, either choosing to alternate panels with neutral and vibrant colours, or designing a feature wall using panelling to create a striking focal point and drawing the eye in your modern entryway.

Shiplap 

Shiplap panelling is a traditional wall panel technique consisting of layering long pieces of timber that overlap and create tight joins. Choosing a shiplap style is an eye-catching, rustic hallway panelling idea that instantly adds a homely, cottage charm to your entry space. Shiplap panels are also known for their durability, making them a great choice for busy hallway areas to withstand scratches and scuffs. 

Slatted panels

One of the most eye-catching hallway panelling ideas is choosing slatted wood panels for your entryways, making your entryway the epitome of modern sophistication by adding texture and a sense of movement throughout your space. The shape of the wooden slats also acts as a great insulator and soundproofs your entryway, making your house both look and feel cosier.

A modern hallway featuring full length dark brown slatted panels down one side and on the ceiling, white walls, and a light brown wooden flooring

Shaker style

Of all of the hallway panelling ideas, shaker style panelling is arguably the most traditional and timelessly elegant, creating a clean and simple look that can be paired with minimalist designs or painted deep colours for a more contemporary feel. Shaker panelling features strips of wood that form rectangular shapes on walls, adding depth and texture to your hallway with ease. 

White shaker style panelled hallway, with a brown velvet sofa, black side table and a large square mirror on the wall

Geometric patterns

Incorporating wall panels that have geometric prints like chevrons and herringbone create a dynamic visual appeal to your entryway, and it is easier than ever to add geometric patterns to your stylish hallway with panelling. Geometric prints paired with deep colours and metallics can create a contemporary Art Deco feel in your entryway and give the sense of a fluid and layered space. 

Mirrored panels

Mirrored hallway panelling is an effective way of maximising the size of your hallway if you have limited space. Mirrors not only reflect light and allow your hallway to feel naturally brighter, but mirrored panels can also create the visual illusion of a much bigger entryway whilst being a practical and functional way of modernising your space.

Monochrome 

Monochrome colour schemes are at the heart of modern hallway panelling ideas, incorporating black, white or grey panels and tying the space together with ornaments, furnishings and mirrors in complimentary hues. Choosing monochrome panels when designing your hallway creates an easy and effortlessly sleek design that will never go out of style and can be adapted to suit your personal tastes. 

Monochrome hallway with grey shaker panelled walls with light fittings, and white marble floor with a black square pattern

Textured panels

Wall panels that include textured or raised patterns are a great way of creating a striking vocal point for your hallway that emanates a chic and contemporary style. Textured panelling not only enhances the sensory and visual experience of your hallway with patterns that both look and feel great to the touch, but the raised 3D nature of the panels also plays with light and shadow to create a truly unique and modern entryway for your home.

Add wallpaper

Incorporating wallpaper into panelling is one of the best hallway panelling ideas if you are looking to infuse your entryway with personality and character. Adding wallpapered sections in between panelling as an addition to the more traditional panelling styles like shaker and wainscot creates eye-catching sections that can be tailored to suit your personal style whilst adding depth to your hallway.

Wood-effect panels

Incorporating natural materials is one of the most effective hallway panelling ideas, and choosing wood-effect wall panelling adds the charm and warmth of natural wood without the cost or the hassle of real wood features. Wood-effect panels add a visually interesting texture to your space, as well as creating a stylish, rustic feel. 

Add LED strips

LED light strips are a striking and functional addition to hallway wall panelling, especially if you opt for wood-effect or slatted panels. Even for those who are scared by the idea of DIY projects, LED strips can be easily and affordably fitted between the panel slats as a way of seamlessly integrating light into your hallway with a fresh and modernised finish.

Vertical panelling

For hallways that lack height, vertical panelling such as those that incorporate wooden slats or shiplap styles give the illusion of a much taller space. Vertical panels create a clean, sleek finish while providing an inviting sense of space in your hallway.

Horizontal panelling 

Like with vertical panelling, using horizontally slatted or shiplap panels for your hallway allows you to maximise your space without costing the earth. For hallways that are narrow, incorporate horizontal patterns to create the illusion of a longer space that still keeps to your personal style.

Coordinate colours

An easy way of tying together your hallway wall panelling is by coordinating your panel colour scheme with your furnishings and ornaments. By simply adding a runner into your hallway that compliments the colour of your panels, your hallway will instantly emanate a sense of harmony and cohesion whilst maintaining character.

Panel up the stairs

Extending your wall panelling up the stairs from your hallway is a great way of allowing your style to flow throughout the house with ease. Especially when using wainscot panelling, continuing your panels upstairs creates a sense of fluidity and elegance whilst maximising the soundproofing and insulation benefits of wall panels in your home. 

Create panel sections

Choosing to only panel certain sections of your hallway is a unique hallway panelling idea that really allows your personal style to shine through. Half wall panelling is a great choice for bedrooms too, adding texture and colour without crowding the room. Try combining different panelling styles or painting panels contrasting colours to create a striking feature wall in your hallway, making your space truly your own. 

Add hidden wall panel storage

Who said that wall panels couldn’t be functional as well as stylish? Seamlessly incorporate storage into your hallway panelling design by creating hidden recesses in between panels or installing cabinets behind the panels themselves, allowing you to maximise the functionality of your hallway without disrupting the flow of your design.

By using these twenty hallway panelling ideas as inspiration, you will be able transform your entryway into a stylish and functional space that ties together your personal style throughout the home. Explore the range of easy-to-use and affordable wall panels from DBS to create your own sophisticated, welcoming space in your hallway.