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Original poster

Is panelling nice or just “Chavvy”?

206 replies

Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:03

Just read a post online where someone said panelling is “chavvy”! I’m a little upset as I was planning to panel my hallway.

It’s a new build but I just feel the hallway needs something. Hallway is quite large. What do others think? Please be honest

OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
MrAlyakhin · 19/10/2025 13:47

If you have a nice wide bright hallway you can easily get it looking better with plants, furniture and art. Really no need to mess with panelling and dado rails. Easier to change later too.

Bluevelvetsofa · 19/10/2025 13:46

Wallpaper, console table(s), storage of different sizes, rugs, mirrors, art, floating shelves.

crazeekat · 19/10/2025 13:45

No if it’s done correctly and the proper colors and furniture to go it is lovely in any type of house. Do research first and styles and u can have it looking good. Those saying chavvy clearly don’t know anything about interiors

DrPrunesqualer · 19/10/2025 13:45

We will be panelling but it was the norm when ours was built and was probably removed at some point.
It will be to cover over the bad walls

We are a 14th century property with an addition dated early 1700s. So we’ll be going for two different but quite simple styles

Either have simple styles or match the style to the date of the property

IndiaAutumn · 19/10/2025 13:44

I think the picture you’ve posted looks nice, op.

ChatGPT is quite useful for this- upload a picture and ask it to add panelling or a dado rail or whatever.

Charlize43 · 19/10/2025 13:43

Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:03

Just read a post online where someone said panelling is “chavvy”! I’m a little upset as I was planning to panel my hallway.

It’s a new build but I just feel the hallway needs something. Hallway is quite large. What do others think? Please be honest

It really depends on how much you like cleaning as all those relief surfaces just become a place for dust to noticeably settle.

At the height of the panelling mania, a friend of mine threw out all her bed headboards and panelled the walls behind and then painted them a dark sea green, and every time I have stayed there they are caked with dust (from the bedding). This pic will give you an idea on what to avoid.

Is panelling nice or just “Chavvy”?
Original poster
Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:43

@DrPrunesqualer sure ill upload some when I get home (and do a quick tidy!). The building is new build and 7 years old. We moved in 2 years ago I think.

OP posts:
DrPrunesqualer · 19/10/2025 13:41

Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:07

@MelonElla what else can I do to hallway? I just feel it looks so depressing.

Can we have some pics of the hallway OP
plus age of property

Original poster
Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:40

@SunnySideDeepDown myself! lol! 😂

OP posts:
DustyMaiden · 19/10/2025 13:40

If you like it do it. Whatever you do someone will say you are wrong, who cares for anyone’s opinion if they don’t live there.

Peridot1 · 19/10/2025 13:39

@Diy322 - I use Pinterest a lot. If you look on there and search hallway panelling you will get lots of ideas.

Prettyrosess · 19/10/2025 13:39

Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:08

I just feel hallway and stairs need something. What about a dado rail separating the wall in half then?

I have this, but my house is a 40's build and it was already there when we purchased it. We have painted the bottom colour dark and top lighter for contrast.

Original poster
Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:38

@Fedup360 thsts looks lovely! Did u get a professional to do (if so how much roughly) or did you do yourself? I really like it

OP posts:
OverlyFragrant · 19/10/2025 13:37

Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:07

@MelonElla what else can I do to hallway? I just feel it looks so depressing.

Colour drench and use wall art and mirrors to bring light and life

SunnySideDeepDown · 19/10/2025 13:36

Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:29

It’s a new build, nice area, quite large - would this still work you think?

Show quote history

Are you doing it yourself or professionals?

Is it throughout the house or in only some spaces?

Fedup360 · 19/10/2025 13:36

We have panelling in our daughters room, and the living room, I don’t think it’s chavvy but it’s a personal opinion and who cares what others think

Is panelling nice or just “Chavvy”?
Is panelling nice or just “Chavvy”?
frockandcrocs · 19/10/2025 13:35

We’re planning on adding some, but ours is a 1885 terrace and I think it’ll suit the building, we’ve tried to have a modern vibe with Victorian features (sadly there was no hidden floor tiles or fireplace 😭 )

JoshLymanSwagger · 19/10/2025 13:32

Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:23

@BadgernTheGarden oh so that’s not panelling? I really like it. Thank you for giving me the name. What about this one: I think this is more like panelling? I like both.

OMG I'm having flashbacks to going to the dentist as a child - not a happy experience.

What's wrong with either painting or wallpapering the hall?

It'll be a lot easier to change when the fake panelling fad passes (in a few months at most).
Imagine the cost of replastering the walls, or at least decent filler, sand paper, paint, brushes/rollers, cover sheets, dust and mess...

GOODCAT · 19/10/2025 13:32

Personally I wouldn't go for a dado rail. I remember removing them from a 1970s house we had in the early noughties.

For a modern house take a look at some of the new builds for sale. For me personally I would add character through art on the walls and nice tiles on the floor. I don't have room for anything else. If I did and had lots of light, I would have loads of plants and a really nice sideboard/hallway table.

Original poster
Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:30

@Peridot1 that sounds lovely! Do u have some inspiration pics you can upload please? I’m also going round in circles, I would love to see your inspirations

OP posts:
Peridot1 · 19/10/2025 13:29

I think it would look really nice in your hallway. We will be doing similar next year. Our hall is a similar size to yours.

We have just had a wall done in our sitting area off the kitchen and painted it dark blue.

Yes it will probably date but so does everything.

I was going around in circles trying to decide what to do as am hopeless at making decisions and ended up using a local interior designer. She suggested the panelling. She is most definitely not chavvy.

Original poster
Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:29

SunnySideDeepDown · 19/10/2025 13:27

If it’s in keeping with a period property, it’s beautiful.

If it’s added to modern, ex council, estate style properties, it looks chavvy.

The key is to design your home, around your home. Play to its features.

It’s a new build, nice area, quite large - would this still work you think?

OP posts:
Original poster
Diy322 · 19/10/2025 13:28

I just feel depressed when I enter my home! I know that sounds dramatic! My kids rooms I’ve been so creative and feel I can but hallway I’m too scared incase something goes wrong and we don’t have tons of cash right now to employ someone so I need to make it look good on a budget. It just feels so boring, flat and just plain

OP posts:
SunnySideDeepDown · 19/10/2025 13:27

If it’s in keeping with a period property, it’s beautiful.

If it’s added to modern, ex council, estate style properties, it looks chavvy.

The key is to design your home, around your home. Play to its features.

Cucy · 19/10/2025 13:25

I love panelling and if I wasn’t in rented accommodation then I’d defo do it myself.

But luckily I have never cared what people think of me or having to do something to fit in with other people.

My moto is if you like something then do it, fuck the opinions of anyone else if it doesn’t affect them.