If you’re unsure of the type of wall panel style you’re looking for – we’ve listed the most trendy terms to help you on your way.

There’s lots of different styles of wall panelling out there, and sometimes it can be hard to differentiate one from the other. A lot of panelling styles have been confused with Shaker, mislabelled as Jacobean, and so forth. We’ve put together a handy guide to help you tell your Slat from your Shaker panels. 

Slat – MDF Slat Wall Panelling – This type of panelling is made up of 10 – 12cm wide slats placed side by side across the wall, they typically are placed up to dado rail height but can also be installed to span from the floor to the ceiling. The panel strips can also be placed horizontally up the wall if you fancy trying something a bit different. This style of wall panel is a classic, it can often be found in hallways, bathrooms and kitchens. However it’s not limited to these applications and can be placed anywhere inside your home. Probably not the ceiling, that would look a bit odd – unless you’re a bat. 

Shaker wall panelling – The shaker style is one of the most popular styles, strips are used to form rectangular shapes which are then evenly spaced apart. The shaker wall panels have a more regal aesthetic in our opinion, it’s a style you will find in most country manors, Chelsea homes and high-end venues.

You often see cabinets with the shaker style panel on the front. Shaker MDF Wall Panelling is a versatile style, it can look elegant or quirky depending on the colour palate used. 

Jacobean  – Jacobean panelling is often confused with Shaker style panels, however it’s completely different. The panels are square in shape and when installed they almost look like a checkerboard. You would normally find this type of wall panelling in bedrooms, dining rooms and living rooms. Lately we’ve seen a real increase in Jacobean panelling used as headboards in bedrooms, which looks fantastic – providing you never plan on moving your bed. 

Geometric – Geometric wall panels are a modern version of wall panelling – we would say this is more of a feature wall design as it is often only placed in one area of the room. Geometric panels are usually made up of very fine strips to create a contemporary design, the strips can be placed horizontally, vertically and diagonally and once painted they present a very cool aesthetic. You can place them in whatever pattern you wish, just make sure you measure up first so you aren’t caught short. 

Now these aren’t the only forms of panelling available, but they are the most popular. Congratulations – you can now correct people when they get the names wrong. Hopefully you’re now on your way to picking the perfect wall panel style for your interior design project and if you’re looking for a more in-depth guide to wall panelling – why not read The Ultimate Guide To Wall Panelling.