Wood Paneling

When I was little, the term "wood paneling" was said with a scrunched-up nose. Yuck. It hadn't done anything wrong, per se, it was just old-fashioned and dark and begging to be removed. 

Well, those days are over.  Wood paneling can be absolutely gorgeous, and works surprisingly well in modern homes.

-via designed-for-life.tumblr.com / It really warms up this lofty family room.

-via designed-for-life.tumblr.com / It really warms up this lofty family room.

-via trendland.com / I love it above those huge windows!

-via trendland.com / I love it above those huge windows!

-via designsponge.com

-via designsponge.com

-via onekindesign.com

-via onekindesign.com

But looks fab in all kinds of settings:

-via Georgiana Design

-via Georgiana Design

-via decorology.blogspot.comn/ This bathroom rocks, in large part because of the ceiling.

-via decorology.blogspot.comn/ This bathroom rocks, in large part because of the ceiling.

Some people prefer the "knotty" wood look:

-via sarahrichardsondesign.com

-via sarahrichardsondesign.com

-via Nur Liyana

-via Nur Liyana

via modernhepburn.tumblr.com

via modernhepburn.tumblr.com

While others are content with simple 1X, as Joel calls it. (as in "One (inch) By Six (feet)").

-via eatwell101.com / Sometimes simple is just cool.

-via eatwell101.com / Sometimes simple is just cool.

There's a growing trend where people are installing it on both the ceiling and the wall:

-via House Beautiful / Notice how the vertical wood just flows into the ceiling.

-via House Beautiful / Notice how the vertical wood just flows into the ceiling.

-via desiretoinspire.net / The contrast with the white is dramatic, but I'm not sure I love it with those ashy wood floors.

-via desiretoinspire.net / The contrast with the white is dramatic, but I'm not sure I love it with those ashy wood floors.

-via trendir.com / I'm kinda digging the horizontal aspect.

-via trendir.com / I'm kinda digging the horizontal aspect.

-via realsimple.com / This has a little bit of everything.

-via realsimple.com / This has a little bit of everything.

-via My Ideal Home / The black stained wood walls are pretty awesome.

-via My Ideal Home / The black stained wood walls are pretty awesome.

-via myscandinavianhome.blogspot.com / Sometimes nothing looks better than having it all painted bright white.  

-via myscandinavianhome.blogspot.com / Sometimes nothing looks better than having it all painted bright white.  

I really like the "reclaimed wood" look of these next two:

-via homeadore.com

-via homeadore.com

-via home-designing.com

-via home-designing.com

Companies are taking note of the trend and developing faux peel-and-stick wood panels that can be easily applied to ceilings or walls:

-via House Beautiful

-via House Beautiful

There's even faux wood wallpaper(!), as seen here:

-via Centsational Girl

-via Centsational Girl

So there you have it. It's happening. Wood paneling is back and it's hipper than ever. Do you dare? :)