Most wall panelling sold in Ireland is a flat pack kit you fit yourself. That works if you are handy, have a mitre saw and do not mind filling and sanding for a weekend. This page is about the other option: panelling measured, made and fitted by a joiner, finished so the joins do not show.
Which type of panelling suits which room?
Shaker panelling suits halls and living rooms, board and batten suits stairs and landings, and fluted panelling suits a single feature wall.
Shaker, meaning framed rectangles, is the safest choice in a period house because it echoes joinery that is already there. Board and batten, vertical battens at even spacing, handles the rake of a staircase better than framed panels because it does not need every rectangle to match.
Fluted or slatted panelling is the most contemporary of the three and the most demanding of the wall behind it, because the shadow lines show any lean or bow.
How high should panelling go?
Either to about a third of the wall height, or full height. The awkward answer is halfway.
Low panelling, finished with a rail somewhere around waist height, is the traditional proportion and the one that suits most Irish rooms. Full height reads as a feature wall and works best behind a bed or a sofa. Stopping at the middle of the wall tends to look accidental rather than chosen.
On a staircase the rail follows the rake, and getting that line right is most of the job.
Does panelling work in a small room?
Yes, but it changes the room, so it is worth being deliberate about it.
Panelling adds a little depth to the wall and a lot of texture. In a small room, low panelling in the same colour as the wall above adds interest without closing the space in. Dark full height panelling in a small room will make it feel smaller, which is sometimes exactly the intention in a snug or a study.
It is one of the things worth seeing in 3D before committing, because it is hard to picture from a sample.
Is panelling still in fashion?
Framed and board and batten panelling has been in Irish houses for over a century, so it is not really a trend. The very high gloss and heavily fluted versions are more of a moment.
If you are worried about it dating, the safe route is a profile that matches your existing skirting and architrave, painted the same colour as the wall. That reads as part of the house rather than as a look applied to it.
Everything we make in wood carries a two year warranty against defects.
How it works
We call out, measure the space and talk through what you want. Our designers draw it in 3D so you see the finished piece in your own room, and you get one complete itemised quote within two working days. Nothing is ordered and nothing is charged until you say yes.
One team for this and the rest of the job
The same team that makes this fits it, and we also do kitchens, fitted wardrobes, internal doors and windows. If more than one thing needs doing, it is one contractor, one schedule and one point of contact rather than four. See the rest of our fitted furniture.
Frequently asked questions
Do you fit panelling I have bought myself?
We generally supply and fit as one job, because the fit and the finish depend on how the panelling is made. Ask us at the design visit.
Can you panel a staircase and landing?
Yes. Stairs are the most common panelling job we are asked about, and board and batten usually handles the rake best.
Do you paint the panelling?
We can supply it primed or finished. Tell us which at the design visit and it will be in the quote.
What areas do you cover?
Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. The design visit is free and there is no obligation.