Painted Wall Stripes And Wall Wood Paneling

                                     Painted Wall Stripes

If you’ve grown tired of painted walls that only use one color, then it’s time for you to start thinking about using painted wall stripes. Paint stripes can add a whole new look to your home. Before you invest your time and money into painted wall stripes, consider which designs you like most.

Two-Tone Horizontal Stripes

Two-tone horizontal stripes let you test the world of painted wall stripes before getting into anything too crazy. You might even feel more comfortable by starting with one wall. A single wall with two-tone stripes can look great in a room where the other walls only have one color. To make horizontal stripes, you’ll need to measure the areas and use a pencil to designate where each stripe ends. A laser level will help you keep your lines straight. Put painter’s tape along the pencil mark and press hard to prevent paint from running over. Be careful when applying each coat. Don’t use too much paint at once. If you do, you could create a mess that drips into the stripes below.

Horizontal Strips With Borders

You can use a similar method to create horizontal stripes with borders between them. Just make sure you measure and block off the interior border stripe. Start at the top of the wall and work your way down. You might need a smaller brush for the border lines.

Making Vertical Stripes

Vertical stripes can make rooms feel taller than they really are. It’s also a little easier to make vertical stripes because you don’t have to worry as much about the colors bleeding together. Still, you need to mark the lines accurately and use painter’s tape to guide your brush. Keep your coats as even as possible. You don’t want one part of the wall to look darker than the others.

Use as Many Colors as You Want

Since many paint and home supply stores sell small cans of paint, you can add as many colors as you want to your home. Ask for color swatches or samples before you commit to anything. You can even use imaging software like Photoshop to see what your room will look like after you’ve added the stripes.

                                          Wood Paneling

If you think wood paneling went out of style in the ’80s, then you haven’t seen the most recent products made by interior design companies. Today’s wood paneling has a realistic appearance that is vastly superior to paneling from a few decades ago.

Custom Wood Paneling

Custom wood paneling can fit any wall. In some cases, designers will custom-make the panels before bringing them to your home. In other cases, they will cut the panels to your home’s specifications on-site. This lets you add wood paneling to walls that have doors and windows. Even oddly shaped windows are easy for custom paneling.

Wood Paneling Made of Real Wood

It’s common to find real wood paneling made of horizontal slats. Older paneling was often made of vinyl and similar products. That’s why so many living rooms and basements had wooden walls that didn’t look quite right. Real wood gives you a better appearance. It also gives you the option to stain the wood any color that you want. Unlike panels from the ’70s that only came in certain hues, you can choose a stain that matches your home and decorative tastes.

Wood Veneer Paneling 

Wood veneer paneling gives you solid sheets of wood that you can put on your walls. Unlike slats, you don’t see the individual pieces of wood used to make the panels. Don’t take this to mean that wood veneer paneling doesn’t look as attractive as slat paneling. Many companies make veneer panels from excellent woods, including mahogany and walnut burl. These panels can add a touch of sophistication to your home without forcing you to pay for individual pieces of expensive wood.

Getting Creative With Wood Veneer 

If you want something truly unique, then have an artist decorate your wood veneer panels. Woodworkers can create pictures or designs that don’t exist anywhere else. You’ll have to pay a hefty sum for a professional woodworker to carve and engrave your wall, but it’s a great opportunity for anyone who can afford the expense. Now that wood paneling has come back in style (thanks to improved products), more people have an affordable way to add this classic look to their homes.