6 ways to fake wall panelling and create the sought-after look on a budget

Wall panelling has been one of the most popular ways to decorate and elevate the look of walls for hundreds of years now. So it’s likely it’s not going anywhere anytime soon! But the one (or two) downside of wall panelling is that it can be a little pricey and difficult to put up – but not when using some of the ingenious ways to fake wall panelling that you have available to you.

We found 6 of the best ones. And even though these expert-approved and recommended wall panelling ideas will save you money and effort, most of them look like the real deal, while others present a creative take on the look that is just as stylish as traditional wall panelling.

5 ways to cheat wall panelling

‘Panelling can work throughout the home, for a classic and luxury look,’ says Lucy Mather, interior expert at Arighi Bianchi. ‘But it can feel daunting to do…and expensive. It doesn’t have to be. There are lots of ways to fake a wall panelling look.’

And these are the experts’ favourite budget decorating ideas to do wall panelling for less.

1. Use alternative materials

Even though wall panelling is usually made with wood, that doesn’t mean you have to stick to this traditional medium. In fact, the world is your oyster when it comes to materials you could panel your wall (or walls) with.

‘Like with all areas of interior design, you can, of course, be a bit more experimental and different. For a more industrial or modern stylistic design, a panelling effect can be achieved with slim metal strips. Or instead of traditional wood panelling, consider cutting mirrored or acrylic sheets into panel-like sections. This gives a high-end, reflective, and contemporary twist to classic panelling styles. A tinted or smoked mirror works particularly well for a sophisticated feel,’ Lucy at Arighi Bianchi says.

She continues, ‘One of my favourite ways to fake a wall panelling look in a more creative way is, instead of wood or moulding, to use fabric-covered panels or padded boards to create a luxurious, upholstered wall panelling effect. This adds softness, texture, and even soundproofing. Go for linen for a classic look, velvet for a rich aesthetic, or faux leather for something edgy.’

2. Use wallpaper

When you think of the best wallpaper ideas, you probably think of feature walls and bold prints. But wallpaper comes in so many different shapes and forms, and now countless brands offer faux panelling wallpaper to help you cheat your way to a panelled home. 

Whether you’re after subtle shaker-style panelling or you prefer the natural look of slatted panelling, it won’t be hard to find exactly what you’re after.

'Modern textured wallpapers offer a 3D look that can mimic real panelling,' says Alex Stubbs, Flitch interior stylist. 'Available in various patterns, they can be an excellent alternative for a quick and less permanent solution.'

These wallpapers can certainly pass as the real deal, and in our opinion, hanging wallpaper is much easier than installing proper wood panelling. Plus, you even have the option of choosing wallpaper in pinks, blues, and greens - which means you can take away the added step of painting your panelling. 

3. Use MDF panels

While MDF is often frowned upon in the furniture world, it’s generally considered to be the perfect option for DIY wall panelling. Not only is it a very cheap material, but its smooth sanded surface and precision finish also make it a fairly low-maintenance material to work with. 

It's generally considered that there are three options if you choose to use MDF to panel your walls. The hardest option is to buy full MDF sheets from your local hardware shop and cut them to size yourself, as seen in this bedroom wall panelling transformation.

'For an authentic yet budget-friendly wall panelling look, MDF panel kits like the Cheshire Mouldings Panelling Kit with adhesive are the best choice,' says Gill Baker, head of decor at B&Q. 'They offer depth, durability, and a seamless finish when painted.'

Alex at Flitch adds, 'MDF is a fantastic option. It's easy to cut, install, and comes in a variety of thicknesses. Once installed, it can be painted to look like real wood or any other finish you fancy. This is not only cost-effective but also allows for a lot of creative freedom to achieve the desired aesthetic.'

4. Opt for beading

Wood panelling can really make a statement and create a focal point in your chosen room, and while many people prefer a modern look, there are others who prefer the intricate details of Victorian panelling. 

Paying a professional to install Victorian wall panelling can cost you a fortune, though, which is why beading could be the saving grace you’ve been looking for. 

Traditionally used for door frames and skirting boards, beading can also mimic the exact same look as Victorian wall panelling. To create one panel, you just need to cut the beading to size using a mitre saw and stick four pieces together (two long and two short) to the wall in a rectangular shape. You can then continue this to fill the wall. Or alternatively, you can buy pre-cut adhesive moulding.

'Using pre-cut adhesive moulding strips can help create the look of traditional wall panelling. Arranging them in a classic wainscoting style can give rooms a timeless feel,' Alex at Flitch says.

5. Utilise photo frames

If you don’t have the time to cut pieces of MDF or beading but still want to cheat your way to having perfectly panelled walls, may we suggest something a little rogue? 

When we saw a TikTok video where @feliz.interior used picture frames to create beautiful faux wall panelling, it’s safe to say that we were blown away. It was something we had never thought of before, but it is such a simple way to add panelling to your walls when you want to do as little DIY as possible.

For her video, she used six EDSBRUK frames from IKEA, removed the inserts so only the frames remained, and then stuck them to her wall using glue. But at £29 per frame, there are definitely cheaper ways of doing this. 

You could either trawl your local charity shops or Facebook Marketplace for some bargain frames, opt for smaller sizes, or you could buy them in bulk to make them even cheaper. 

6. Use paint

Wall panelling is generally brought to life through wooden panels installed onto the wall, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you have a small living room and are conscious of the fact that forcing your sofa just a few inches forward could affect your floor space, you’ll be happy to know that there is an alternative. 

In fact, we have interior legend Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen to thank for this crafty idea. His wall panelling paint hack was brought to life on Channel 4’s Changing Rooms, and we saw him use masking tape and a variety of different paints to paint rectangles on the wall to create the illusion of wall panelling. 

'Using stencils to paint faux panels is another creative and budget-friendly option. This can be particularly playful in children's rooms or as a feature wall in living areas, where you can experiment with different shapes and colours,' Alex at Flitch says.

Of course, you’ll need a little bit of creative vision to do this yourself, but if you get it right, you’ll save yourself some serious cash – especially if you use tester pots! 

FAQs

How to do easy wall panelling?

The traditional way to DIY wall panelling is to cut MDF strips yourself and then stick them to the wall as per your desired aesthetic. However, you don’t have to do that. 

There are so many other ways to cheat wall panelling, and one of the easiest ways to bring this look to life is to use wall panel wallpaper or beading. Both of these hacks are incredibly easy to complete and will give you a similar look without you needing as much DIY skill. 

How do you make wall panelling look good?

Opting for a unique panelling style (such as a shaker-style or Victorian style) is one of the best ways to make your panelling look good. This will draw the eye to the design, while looking more interesting and intriguing. After all, wall panelling is just strips of wood stuck to the wall! 

Painting your wall panelling will also help to make it a real statement in your room, especially if you’ve only panelled half of your wall. Then, you can paint your wall panelling a different colour to the wall colour. 

Now you know the 6 ways to cheat wall panelling, it’s time to start cheating! Which one are you trying out first?