look book
latest
habitat tv
Say goodbye to the morning scramble for keys, coats and sunglasses and hello to this… see this and more videos
blog
Reader roundup: See what our readers have been up to!
Refurbished vintage furniture, charming exteriors and magnet walls for kids. These projects are sure to… more
Pair your wainscoting with a wallpaper design on the top half of the wall in a similar colour for a cohesive look. Resene Brand McKenzie Wallpaper Collection BMTD00104C pairs well with a warm grey like Resene Eighth Friar Greystone.
In this bedroom, tongue and groove panelling is used on the entire wall behind the bed, painted in Resene Blue Bark for a cosy, cocooning feel. Image by Suraya Hollands.
Entry panelling and walls painted in Resene Ash add elegance even to this practical space. Project by Pat de Pont, SGA Architects and Bruce MacKenzie, MacKenzie Architecture, image by Maegan McDowell.
Lower wall panelling and bench seat in Resene Casper, upper wall and bedside table in Parchment, floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Euro pillows and quilt from Kmart, linen from Foxtrot Home, cushions from H&M Home. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
Arches and wood have always been key features in mid-century designs. In this living space, the timber panelling on the lower wall is stained in Resene Colorwood Meranti, with walls and ceiling painted in Sea Fog. Image by Jessica Waddell.
Your guide to wall panelling and wainscoting
The addition of wall panelling or wainscoting can transform any wall in your home. It adds texture and height and is an on-trend way to refresh a dated room. It also doesn’t have to break the bank.
Where did it begin?
Basic wall panelling has been around since times of classic Roman and Greek architecture, but it wasn’t until the 17th and 18th centuries that the interior feature really made its mark. English craftspeople decked homes of the upper class with natural wood panels, adding intricate design elements to private houses. And in the Victorian era, elegant wainscoting was at the forefront. Although modernised now, wall panelling remains a fantastic way to add detail and sophisticated pattern to a room.
Inspiration:
In this bedroom, tongue and groove panelling is used on the entire wall behind the bed, painted in Resene Blue Bark for a cosy, cocooning feel. Image by Suraya Hollands.
Entry panelling and walls painted in Resene Ash add elegance even to this practical space. Project by Pat de Pont, SGA Architects and Bruce MacKenzie, MacKenzie Architecture, image by Maegan McDowell.
Lower wall panelling and bench seat in Resene Casper, upper wall and bedside table in Parchment, floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Euro pillows and quilt from Kmart, linen from Foxtrot Home, cushions from H&M Home. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
Arches and wood have always been key features in mid-century designs. In this living space, the timber panelling on the lower wall is stained in Resene Colorwood Meranti, with walls and ceiling painted in Sea Fog. Image by Jessica Waddell.
Pair your wainscoting with a wallpaper design on the top half of the wall in a similar colour for a cohesive look. Resene Brand McKenzie Wallpaper Collection BMTD00104C pairs well with a warm grey like Resene Eighth Friar Greystone.
Resene Pro Tips:
- Consider finishing wainscoting in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss for a touch of sheen that plays with the light and shows off the design.
- Unsure how to find the right height in a room for your panelling? Take your cue from existing furniture like your bed frame or bedside table. Aim to finish any panelling design a few inches above it so it prevents the space from looking squashed or cramped.
- Consider the scale and proportions you want to create in your home before installing panelling. As a rule of thumb, smaller rooms will benefit from smaller scale panelling. Know that panelling can be overwhelming if used in too small a room, especially if you have low ceilings – opt for the halfway look if this is the case. Larger scaled panelling effects look best in rooms with taller ceilings.
- If using MDF panelling consider using a surfacing coat of Resene Timber Surface Prep, it’s a high build surfacer for MDF and timber that has been developed for thick application before sanding to smooth even surface. It is ideal under semi- gloss and high gloss enamels.
·
Published: 18 Jun 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Eighth Friar Grey
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
