If you have a modern or new build house, adding character to your home can be tricky. Wall panelling is one of the most creative ways to do this – and as one DIY-savvy couple has shown, it's also super easy to do on your own.
Lily and Raj Begum of @lily_atno3 transformed their living room with little more than some strips of MDF, a glue gun and a lick of paint – and the result is a panel-effect wall that's taken the space to a whole new level of sophistication.
- See also: DIY wall panels – an easy step-by-step you could do this weekend
The before
'The room before the renovation was wallpapered and very plain,' Lily tells Real Homes. 'We stripped the wallpaper and painted the walls, first in Farrow and Ball's Ammonite and then Sulking Room Pink. We also replaced a 1970s fireplace with a more traditional one.
'After repainting the room two different colours, I still felt there was something missing. Then I had a lightbulb moment and realised that a feature wall would really complement the room. I didn’t want to do wallpaper or a block colour and thought paneling would be an excellent way to give the space character.'
The process
Lily and Raj considered the design of the panelling and settled on a chevron pattern. 'We thought it would be a great contemporary play on traditional box panelling,' Lily says.
The couple set to work, utilising Raj's DIY skills to do the whole thing themselves. 'First, we worked out how many columns we could have on the wall and then measured the length of a diagonal piece and the angle they would be put against the vertical columns,' Lily explains. 'Using a mitre saw, we cut the MDF strips to the right length. We also used a laser spirit level, which ensured the diagonal strips positioned in a chevron formation was level across the top row, repeating this process row by row, starting from the top to bottom.'
To stick the wood panels on the wall, Lily used a glue gun with a grab adhesive. 'There were small gaps between the wall and the wood piece in some areas, which we filled with caulk and wood filler,' she adds. Finally, the couple sanded everything down and painted the wall in Farrow & Ball's De Nimes.
Join our newsletter
Get the best home decor ideas, DIY advice and project inspiration straight to your inbox!
The after
Lily and Raj are thrilled with the finished look. 'It's amazing how paneling can make a plain room into one with personality,' says Lily. 'It draws the eyes to the wall, enhances the fireplace and really gives the room warmth. It's one of the best way to revamp a room.'
Lily shared the finished look on her Instagram, where her followers can also see the results of her other DIY makeovers – including transforming an Ikea Pax wardrobe, also with MDF. Go check her out!
Formerly deputy editor of Real Homes magazine, Ellen has been lucky enough to spend most of her working life speaking to real people and writing about real homes, from extended Victorian terraces to modest apartments. She's recently bought her own home and has a special interest in sustainable living and clever storage.
-
Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer review
Discover how the Instant Vortex Slim 6 Qt. Air Fryer performed in our tests
By Paige Cerulli Last updated
-
Jennifer Garner's dining room is filled with “cohesive and intentional” features that showcase her personality
Designers love how the actor's space is rustic yet refined
By Eve Smallman Published
-
We'll all be decorating our homes with these color trends in 2023
Grab your sunglasses, these hues are bright
By Melissa Epifano Published
-
Desert decor: 9 easy ways to style this cool global inspired trend in your home
Transform your interior with easy-to-follow desert decor tips on styling your home with worldly appeal
By Anna Morley Published
-
This is the item of IKEA furniture that's the most stressful to assemble
Something to bear in mind if you're heading to the Swedish furniture store
By Millie Hurst Published
-
This natural light hack will make your home brighter this spring, according to an interiors expert
Make the most of the brighter, longer days with this simple trick
By Millie Hurst Published
-
How to get the best price on second-hand furniture, according to an antique dealer
It might sound obvious, but it's oh-so-easy to get wrong
By Millie Hurst Published
-
IKEA just launched disassembly instructions—the ultimate IKEA hack for moving house
Ideal if you're moving home or selling a piece on
By Millie Hurst Published
-
Before & After: A stunning DIY pantry tucked into an unlikely spot
We're feeling seriously inspired
By Millie Hurst Published
-
This Jonathan Adler x Keurig collaboration will be the unsung hero of the holiday gift-giving season
This season, gift your loved ones this Jonathan Adler x Keurig coffee contraption that's so effortlessly chic
By Brittany Romano Published