32 Best Wood Wall Plank Ideas for a Cozy and Stylish Home
If you’re looking to add some character to your home, wood wall planks are the perfect choice. Not only are they versatile, they can create a unique look that is both inviting and interesting. Whether its creating an accent area or covering a wall, here are 27 cozy ways to decorate with wood wall planks:
Highlights:
Playing with Wood Wall Plank Widths
Edge Finishes That Change the Look of Wood Wall Planks
Adding Accent Stripes to Wood Wall Plank Walls
Highlighting Wood Wall Planks with Lighting
Playing with Wood Wall Plank Widths
So here’s the thing—when I first bought a pile of wood wall planks, I thought, “eh, a plank is a plank.” Big mistake. I slapped all the wide ones on the wall, and honestly, it felt like someone glued a giant cutting board to my living room. Then I tried mixing in a few skinny planks, and suddenly the whole wall had this rhythm to it.
Wide boards feel bold, kinda like statement furniture, while the skinny ones remind me of old-school paneling in my grandpa’s cabin—but in a good way. Now I actually like the uneven look, almost like someone casually pieced it together over time, instead of me sweating with a nail gun for hours. Trust me, widths matter more than you think.
#1 Entryway Plank: Make your entryway inviting and warm with a plank wall. Add in some hooks or a shelf to display any photos and other items.
via: sawdustsisters
#2 Plank Walls Tutorial: Cover almost anything with wood planks for a cozy atmosphere.
via: thehouseofsmiths
#3 Reclaim Wood: Consider using reclaimed wood for an added rustic charm.
via: atcharlotteshouse
#4 Shiplap: Install planks in a day and give your room a whitewashed look.
via: frontporchmercantile
#5 Mixed Wood: Create a fresh area with a variety of stained wood paneling.
via: uncookiecutter
#6. Reclaimed wood boards are a great source for DIY real wood pallet projects, as seen in this project from Addicted2DIY. The pallets are broken down and the boards are glued one at a time, starting from the top. The varying colors of the boards give the planks more character.
via: addicted2diy
Edge Finishes That Change the Look of Wood Wall Planks
One detail I didn’t care about at first was the edge finish. Smooth? Rough? Beveled? I thought, who notices that? Oh, but you do. I installed some with sharp, clean edges in my hallway, and it felt super modern, almost too “perfect.” Then, in the bedroom, I tried planks with these rough, natural edges, and suddenly the room felt like a cabin escape. It’s wild how the tiniest cut changes the whole vibe. My friend even asked if I had imported them from some rustic barn auction (nope, just a quick Home Depot run). So yeah, edge finish is one of those sneaky little details that can make your walls whisper “sleek loft” or shout “cozy lodge.”
#7. Distressed wood can be recreated with paint, giving the same look without the difficulty of finding the right boards.
via: shanty-2-chic
#8. Wood planks and shiplap can be installed vertically to emphasize the height of a space, rather than horizontally.
via: tagandtibby
#9. Colorful wood planking can be achieved by painting the boards instead of using reclaimed pieces or different types of wood. Lovelyetc. provides an example of a great color combo of grey, white, and blue.
via: lovelyetc
#10. Accented surfaces can be given a unique look with herringbone planks, a great choice among the many cool and inspiring ideas for flooring or ceilings.
via: designertrapped
#11. Joyfully Growing provides information on how to create a stained backdrop that adds warmth and texture to a bedroom. Shiplap is used for the project, making it a cheap option. After installation, apply stain to create a rustic look that fits the home’s décor.
via: Joyfully Growing
#12. Thick wood adds a delightful look to any room.
via: Project Nursery
#13. White wood shiplap is a great way to add brightness to any room without having to use natural brown colors. This project uses real plywood as a cheaper alternative that looks just like shiplap.
via: House of Rose
#14. If you’re not ready to go all out with real wood, consider adding an accent around your television with weathered boards. This will give your room texture without having to paint.
via： Kenya Rae
Adding Accent Stripes to Wood Wall Plank Walls
Here’s where I got a bit carried away. I saw this Pinterest idea with a single dark stripe running through a wall of pale wood planks. Looked super artsy, like something a coffee shop would do. So I gave it a try in my office. At first, the stripe was way too thick, and honestly, it looked like a racing track for toy cars. I had to tear half of it down and redo it thinner. But once it was fixed, wow—it made the whole wall pop without screaming “look at me.”
#15. For nursery decoration, Tracey’s Fancy has a great floral wood plank design. It’s perfect for a baby girl’s room and you can add some flowers for an extra touch.
via: Tracey’s Fancy
#16. For a modern wood accent, choose darker shades and add a mirror for contrast. This will bring light to the entryway.
#17. If you’re looking for a warm feel in an empty space, try using a cheap wood accent. This would look great on a stairway or landing.
via: Thrifty Decor Chick
#18. To spice up any interior, try a geometric design like this RV bedroom wood wall.
via: Joyfully Growing
#19. For a bathroom makeover on a budget, check out this project from This Nest is Blessed. It will transform a small bathroom into something modern and chic for less than $140.
via: This Nest Is Blessed
#20. Dimples and Tangles has a great fence wood design that will give your space a unique look and feel. If the wood isn’t level, you can work around it to achieve a rustic look.
via: Dimples and Tangles
#21. Gray House Studio has a great reading nook project that is finished with a reading bench and place to store books.
via: Gray House Studio
#23. If you have a large room, Instructables has a great wood slants design. Make sure to stain the wood beforehand and test out different stains to see what fits.
via: Instructables
Highlighting Wood Wall Planks with Lighting
Lighting is one of those things I didn’t take seriously until I messed up. I had my wood wall planks up, sat back, and…nothing. It just looked flat. Then I added a couple of sconces, and suddenly every little grain and knot stood out like art. Later I got fancy with a strip of LED hidden behind the headboard, and now my bedroom feels like a boutique hotel.
The funniest part? My cat thinks the glowing wall is her personal stage. She’ll literally sit there like she’s about to give a TED Talk. So yeah, if you’re going through all the trouble of installing wood wall planks, play around with lighting—it’s like the magic switch that makes everything come alive.
#25. For a relaxed vibe in a laundry room or bathroom, try this faux shiplap design. It’s cheaper than the real thing and looks just as good.
via: Artsy Chicks Rule
#26. Plywood accents are the best option for large spaces. Choose a light color to avoid darkening the room and to make the area feel lighter and airy.
via: Diva of DIY
#27. Love & Renovations has a great DIY wood planked accent that looks stylish behind a large bed in a master bedroom or guest room.
via: Love & Renovations
#28. Mix different colored and distressed wood boards to add a lively, eclectic pop of color to any room.
#29 A bold black shiplap wall is an elegant way to create a dramatic backdrop and make a powerful design statement.
#30 Reclaimed wood can be shaped around a doorway to craft a unique and rustic entryway that feels straight out of a fairytale.
#31 Even a small divider wall can be turned into a cozy feature by adding wood planks of various tones.
#32 Using simple wood planks can create a modern accent wall that brings both texture and nature indoors.
