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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Faux panelling in a new home ?

74 replies

homedecoinspoos · 06/04/2022 18:02

Inspired by dado rail thread...

What do you think of a traditionally built new build with faux panelled walls with dado rails painted all one colour ?

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Thread gallery
9
TerribleCustomerCervix · 06/04/2022 20:04

What other thread, @FloraPostePosts?

Have I missed a bun fight?!

JenniferBarkley · 06/04/2022 20:09

I'm not a fan in newer houses but I think it's oookaaayyy now. I think in five years time it will look awful, so if you're going to do it you need to have the money and the appetite for regular updates if you want to avoid looking very dated.

Menora · 06/04/2022 20:10

I feel like I don’t get this trend. It can really make rooms look smaller. Also it’s trashing the walls underneath with glue, nails etc and if you want to take it all off, it’s just going to be so expensive. It is also expensive to fit. So no I don’t really like it

Original poster
homedecoinspoos · 06/04/2022 20:11

The home is a traditional build.. it's just new, but built in a traditional style..

Can't decide !

OP posts:
Original poster
homedecoinspoos · 06/04/2022 20:11

@Menora

I feel like I don’t get this trend. It can really make rooms look smaller. Also it’s trashing the walls underneath with glue, nails etc and if you want to take it all off, it’s just going to be so expensive. It is also expensive to fit. So no I don’t really like it
I don't think it makes the rooms look smaller if it's all painted one colour.
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AppleKatie · 06/04/2022 20:13

Wallpaper serves no practical purpose (i don't have any but using as an example) but people have it as it can look nice 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes that’s the difference it looks nice 😂

Seriously though- panelling also makes the room physically smaller which in most new builds is another issue.

Beercrispsandnuts · 06/04/2022 20:15

It looks bad, no matter how traditionally built it’s not fooling anyone into thinking it’s a period property and putting pretend panelling in isn’t going to make them think that either. Don’t try to pretend it’s something it’s not. It looks silly, embrace what it is, a new build.

Eucalyptusbee · 06/04/2022 20:15

If the home is in a traditional style and the panelling done well then I bet it looks great. Panelling is lovely and adds depth and texture to a room. It's been popular for hundreds of years so don't think its going out of fashion any time soon.

Original poster
homedecoinspoos · 06/04/2022 20:16

@Beercrispsandnuts

It looks bad, no matter how traditionally built it’s not fooling anyone into thinking it’s a period property and putting pretend panelling in isn’t going to make them think that either. Don’t try to pretend it’s something it’s not. It looks silly, embrace what it is, a new build.
Would you say the same about coving / cornice on the ceiling ? Or a ceiling rose ? New houses can't have them in your opinion ?
OP posts:
Original poster
homedecoinspoos · 06/04/2022 20:18

This kind of thing for example..

Faux panelling in a new home ?
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iheartmybeachhut · 06/04/2022 20:23

Most won't look like this picture though. Saw some properties when we were house hunting and was totally put off by the paneling, strips of rail on bare walls and dado rails.

LakieLady · 06/04/2022 20:33

@hypaingea

I personally only like panelling in period properties
Me too. I think it looks pretentious in modern buildings.
Eucalyptusbee · 06/04/2022 20:35

I'm interested to see examples of bad panelling!!

nodogz · 06/04/2022 20:37

It's fine. If you like it.

No one bats an eye at shiplap or half the wall in tongue and groove in a bathroom (and that's fake panelling)

Beercrispsandnuts · 06/04/2022 20:45

Would you say the same about coving / cornice on the ceiling ? Or a ceiling rose ? New houses can't have them in your opinion?

For fake stuff, yes, I’d say no don’t stick plastic coving etc up. I’m not too sure about original coving or rose. I don’t think Ive ever really seen anyone try to put original features like that into a new build so it’s hard for me to answer.

But you’re not talking about real panneling from what you’ve said? You don’t actually wish to actually panel i? you want to stick bits of wood or mdf to your wall, paint it and pretend it’s panelled like a period property, and that very different.

stormswiftlysweetafton · 06/04/2022 21:03

I have some in my new (early 2000s) home, and I like it. We've had some of it up for probably ten years or more, and I'm still pleased with it. Imo, if its done well, it has a timeless look, so even if it's currently "on-trend", it's not the same as trendy wallpaper. I don't think it will show its age as quickly as trendy wallpaper might, though it's true that it's probably more difficult to remove than wallpaper would be.

Ours is very simple, not particularly ornate. I don't think it looks any more pretentious than expensive wallpaper does, but honestly, I don't care what anyone else thinks about it. DH and I are happy with it, and as we're the ones living here, that's all that matters.

FloraPostePosts · 06/04/2022 21:06

@TerribleCustomerCervix

What other thread, *@FloraPostePosts*?

Have I missed a bun fight?!

Not exactly, but as an architectural historian, I have Things To Say about the appropriateness or otherwise of introducing decorative schemes in a non-matching style. Others don’t think the same way, clearly!
Grimed · 06/04/2022 21:14

I think it will look nice and I don't think you should care what other people think. I'm a goth and my new build is done up like haunted mansion. Most people who visit probably hate it but life's to short for that crap and they can do their own house however they like.

Kite22 · 06/04/2022 21:16

@AppleKatie

Wallpaper serves no practical purpose (i don't have any but using as an example) but people have it as it can look nice 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes that’s the difference it looks nice 😂

Seriously though- panelling also makes the room physically smaller which in most new builds is another issue.

This. ^

I'd go further than saying other than in period properties it looks absurd and say,

Other than in stately homes, or at least manor houses it looks absurd.

Unless you house is grand enough to have a sitting room, a drawing room, a smoking room and a library all separate from the dining room, hallway and kitchen, and - goes without saying - separate staff quarters, then panelling looks really naff.

Original poster
homedecoinspoos · 06/04/2022 21:17

@FloraPostePosts what an interesting field of knowledge. I'm only now learning that I seem to like styles that don't match time period wise. I think a lot of people have no idea..

For example I think my fireplace is Georgian an and I've been informed that you cannot put one of those upside down horseshoe mirrors on top of it. Because they're Victorian I think...

In any case I have no idea what I'm talking about clearly, but find it very interesting and want to learn more.

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Sunnytwobridges · 06/04/2022 21:22

I actually love paneling, it adds character. As long as it's done right. I'm surprised at how many don't like it. But I don't like washing machines in the kitchen or open floor plans, so there's that lol

Menora · 06/04/2022 21:26

It does make it physically smaller though? It’s adding inches to the thickness of walls 🤣
It’s also making all your furniture jut out when it lies against either the panel, or the changing rooms style MDF strip stuck on with no more nails

Original poster
homedecoinspoos · 06/04/2022 21:28

@Menora

It does make it physically smaller though? It’s adding inches to the thickness of walls 🤣 It’s also making all your furniture jut out when it lies against either the panel, or the changing rooms style MDF strip stuck on with no more nails
I don't have any furniture against the wall.
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Original poster
homedecoinspoos · 06/04/2022 21:32

@Menora

It does make it physically smaller though? It’s adding inches to the thickness of walls 🤣 It’s also making all your furniture jut out when it lies against either the panel, or the changing rooms style MDF strip stuck on with no more nails
Well I do in some rooms - like beds of course. But wasn't considering panelling there.
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Grapewrath · 06/04/2022 21:34

I think it just reminds me of the huns who paint their houses grey, throw zoflora everywhere and love Mrs Hinch. It’s very popular but it’s not for me and is often badly done with mdf and no nails. Same with tongue and groove bathrooms