MDF panelling ideas

MDF panelling is a great way to instantly change the look and feel of any room. Their use is becoming more popular in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as the popular feature of a bedroom and living room. Check out these panelling ideas for your next project.

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The walls of a property can transform the look and feel of our home, so we’ve put together our top 5 MDF panelling ideas. With the power of well-chosen panelling you can add the perfect finishing touch to your home’s interior design.

From vertical wood slats to classic shaker styles and beach vibes to feature walls, take a look at these eye-catching MDF wall panelling ideas.

What is MDF panelling?

MDF panelling has become a staple for many interior design lovers in the UK. It’s a type of durable, moisture-resistant wall panelling made from medium-density fibreboard.

Due to its resistance to moisture, MDF panelling became particularly popular for use in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas of a home where moisture might be an issue.

Over time MDF panelling ideas and options have grown and you can now find all sorts of styles and designs available – or, even better, you can create your own bespoke designs pretty easily (with the help of a skilled carpenter).

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Our favourite MDF panelling ideas

We love jazzing up a wall and so we’ve put together a collection of our favourite MDF panelling ideas to give you inspiration for your home.

But don’t stop here. With MDF panelling you can really put a stamp on your home with a personalised design – get in touch with local interior designers or carpenters who can bring your MDF panelling ideas to life.

1. Wood slat effect

One hugely popular interior design trend for MDF panelling ideas is the narrow vertical wood slat effect – it’s all the rage. This natural, sophisticated interior style is perfect for creating an accent wall, standalone feature or room divider.

2. Shaker style wall

The ever popular shaker style has been an interior design go-to for decades, and it’s still a hit with homeowners today. Go for standard shaker style wall panelling, or mix it up with a diagonal twist on the classic.

3. Beach house vibes

Whether you’re lucky enough to live by the sea, or you simply dream of a nautical haven, MDF panelling can create a beautiful beachy look. Bring some of the New England feels to your home with white-washed wood effect slats on your walls.

4. Wainscoting (half-wall wall panels)

You might now have heard the term wainscoting before, but you’ve probably seen it in action many times. It refers to the decorative wood-style panelling that only covers the lower half of a wall – an interior design trend that started back in the 18th century.

These days homeowners all over the UK are using MDF panelling to bring wainscoting to life in their properties, with some stunning results. And if your home is lacking in shelving, you can even gain some bonus surface space by adding a shelf along the top of the half wall panels.

5. A feature wall combining panelling and tiles

Sometimes it takes two to tango. And when it comes to MDF wall design ideas, teaming up MDF panelling with decorative wall tiles can create a stunning feature wall – whether that’s in your living room, bedroom or elsewhere in your home.

Using MDF panels as the base, you can then add your favourite decorative tiles on top.

MDF wall panelling ideas - how much does it cost?

If you’re keen to recreate one of our MDF wall panelling ideas in your home, it’s helpful to know how much you might be looking at spending.

Fret not, help is at hand. Here are some average costs for wall panelling in the UK:

Wall panelling cost – £50 - £400 per m²
Oak wall panelling cost – £100 - £450 per m²
Bespoke wall panelling – £295 per m²
Wainscoting – £50 - 400 per m²
Carpenter hourly rate – £25 - £40
Decorating (primer, undercoat & gloss) – £25 - £35 per hour

To find out more about prices, check out our guide to wall panelling costs.

Need help with MDF wall design ideas?

Contact local interior design experts. Request a quote.

If you need help installing MDF wall panels or you want more MDF wall panelling ideas then local help is at hand. We have plenty of experienced interior designers and carpenters in your area who can do the job for you.

And, as with any home improvement project, we always recommend obtaining at least three quotes from our trusted Checkatrade members.

Our request a quote feature is perfect for getting quotes – you post details about the job you want doing and we’ll send it out to local tradespeople in your area. Try it out today!

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