Is panelling nice or just “Chavvy”?

Go for what you like. I’ve done a limewash effect which most people seem to hate but I love it, it’s you that has to live with it

I was going to panel but have just decided not to. It’s been so overdone it will look dated very soon

I love wood panelling and am about to decorate bottom loo with it halfway up the wall. I don't follow trends, I just like it and don't particularly care if it goes in or out of fashion, I just like what I like.

I've got metro tiles in my bathroom and I love them even though I curse them every week when I have to scrub the grouting so I don't care who says they're chavvy.

I have this in my hallway, very low key panelling and probably easy to remove in the future should I decide. But my house is a 100 year old bungalow with large coving and skirting. I also have shutters and old style radiators all of which I think are in keeping with the proportions and time period. I feel these things look out of place in a new build but there are things I think look great in a new build that would look crap in my home - glass balustrades, tiled floors, led lighting and wall lights etc. Try Instagram accounts where people add character to a new build

Thank goodness we have gems like you on Mumsnet to steer us plebeians right 🥹 what pearls of wisdom. I am so grateful for your help….

I’ve seen posts on here many times saying they’re chavvy. Basically on mumsnet, anything that’s been popular for over 5 minutes is deemed chavvy.

I wonder if people discussed this in the olden days. Like if Victorian stately home owners called their neighbours chavs because their mock Tudor panelling looks dated (tongue in cheek,
obvs). Most interior design trends are taken from different time periods, even the victorians would have been influenced by the Tudors and so on and so on, even much of our old housing stock will have influences from earlier times, just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s entirely uniquely original.

Just because someone lives in a new build doesn’t mean they’re not allowed to decorate or taken design inspiration from wherever they want. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

It’s your house - do what you like. Unless you are thinking of trying to sell soon just decorate how you like. I could not give one jot if my decor was on trend or chavy or whatever. My house has colour and furniture that I like. I’m sure lots of people would criticise it but it’s my house. I absolutely hate houses with grey window frames and s big grey front door. That seems to be very popular round here but it’s not my house.

Yeah don’t do it in a new build, that’s definitely chavvy. My house is old and still has some original Victorian tongue and groove panelling which is gorgeous. So we’ve leaned into it and added it in a couple of other rooms. But it suits the old quirky house. I wouldn’t do it in a house newer than 1950’s. But that’s just my opinion, do what makes you happy

Install a stair runner, install fancy lighting and a rug. Panelling shouldn’t be expensive. You can do it yourself.

I love what you've done - from bland to grand!

@VioletandMauve

Lovely transformation!

I once viewed a Victorian property with old oak panelling and it looked amazing, but I think it would be out of place in a new build. A nice dado rail with paint underneath and wallpaper on top might be more appropriate.

There's a beautiful Grade II listed Queen Anne house not too far from me for sale, it needs doing up but has all the original window shutters and wood panelling, it's gorgeous, but panelling in a newer house? Not too sure to be honest...

An elegant chandelier, if you have the headroom.

@Christmaschildcare

Also, the OP ASKED for opinions. Did she say people should only say 'yes MDF panelling in modern houses looks wonderful darling?!'

NO, she didn't, so stop having a pop at people who don't like modern panelling, and implying they are WRONG, just because YOU like it....

No panelling, but our house is about 12 years old, so relatively newish - it was beige everywhere before which I hated and now it’s completely different! Hope the pics attach properly.

Well, yes, that looks lovely because the space itself is fabulous, with awesome lighting and exceptional quality flooring etc. A bit of panelling in a more average space won't have quite the same impact.

@Christmaschildcare have you heard of a word called 'opinions...?'

Google it. Most interesting thing is that many people have different ones.

HTH.

If you like it, do it. Alternatively, as you said it's a wide hall, a console table with mirror or lovely painting above, maybe 2 lamps (1 either side) might look nice?

@Diy322 Mumsnet is not a great place to come for interior design feedback. It does not generally reflect the majority of the country’s tastes. Would love to know the percentage of period properties in the UK with the original wood panelling some posted have asserted is the only acceptable style…meanwhile, in the real world, lots of (decidedly ‘unchavvy’) people are decorating in the style you’ve posted and it looks lovely. You choose what you like and ignore what anyone else says.

I've only just caught up with the idea that it's a thing, which means it's probably already out of fashion.

But this doesn't matter.

I like it!

And I have fantastic taste. 😊

This! Who cares what anyone else thinks, it’s your house, decorate it your way. I have 1980s black wooden furniture in my dining room and I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks!

And fwiw I don’t think panelling is chavvy. But then again, what do I know about taste, I like 1980s black furniture 😂

I like it.