Each new year brings a fresh interior design trend, and 2026 is no exception. Keeping up with trends can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together what we think will take centre stage in this year's interiors design world. Discover the top wall panelling interior design trends set to transform homes this year.
Panel Drenching
Colour drenching surged in popularity in 2025, and this year we’re seeing it evolve from colour drenching to panel drenching. Panel drenching is an interior design trend that involves panelling the walls, ceiling and skirting boards in the same style of wall panelling. This creates a cohesive look.
Panel drenching works great in kitchens and bathrooms, helping the spaces look and feel more spacious. This results in a clean, modern interior design aesthetic that many minimalistic design styles desire. Tongue and groove wall panelling is perfect for this trend.
Consider painting your panels in a deep, dark tone, creating an intimate, luxurious feel while making a cosy cocoon feel in any room of your home.
Tongue & Groove Wall Panelling
Tongue and groove wall panelling is a timeless style that continues to be a favourite in the interior design world. Its slim vertical panels work seamlessly in any room of your home, from hallways and kitchens to bathrooms and living areas. 2026 will see this style of panelling feature in even more areas of the home.
Tongue and groove wall panels offer a modern take on a classic look, adding texture and character to interiors, creating a lived-in feel, which is set to be a big trend in 2026.
The thin vertical panels are also easy to install by interlocking panels, often being described as a jigsaw puzzle style of fitting. This makes them ideal for a DIY beginner who wants to refresh their home.
Keep an eye out for wider tongue and groove panels being used as standout features in 2026, alongside the classic slim vertical tongue and groove panels.
Panelled Media Walls
Panelling your media walls has fast become a go-to trend to help elevate your living space. Framing your TV creates a modern and luxurious focal point in your room.
This trend is ideal for homeowners who want to elevate their entertainment setup with a clean aesthetic.
Pros of panelling a media wall:
- Enhances aesthetic appeal
- Conceals cabling for a sleek, minimalist finish
- Acoustic panels can help improve sound quality
- Allows for a personal, bespoke look that fits your home perfectly. Bespoke made-to-measure panels are designed to fit your space seamlessly
- Ideal for adding LED strips to add warmth and ambient lighting
Floor-to-Ceiling Panelling
For a bold interior statement in 2026, take your wall panelling from floor to ceiling. This interior design style is ideal for creating a striking feature wall in your home. Vertical panels can be used to draw your eyes upwards, making your ceiling appear taller and the room feel bigger. This style of wall panelling works best in living and dining areas of the home to create a high-end look with visual impact.
Pros of floor-to-ceiling panelling:
- Creates an instant focal point in your room
- Adds depth and texture to your walls
- Enhances the perceived height of a room
- Low maintenance and easy to clean
- Can increase the perceived value and overall appeal of a home
- Available in a wide range of panel styles
Floor to ceiling wall panelling is available in a variety of designs, including shaker style wall panelling, Edwardian style wall panelling and tongue and groove style wall panelling.
Bringing 2026 Design Trends To Life With DIY Wall Panelling
Wall panelling is a versatile way to refresh your home in 2026. Here at DIY Wall Panelling, we offer a range of easy-to-install wall panelling, including Elizabethan style wall panelling, Georgian style wall panelling, shaker style wall panelling, Edwardian style wall panelling and tongue and groove style wall panelling. Our wall panelling kits are perfect for both DIY enthusiasts and beginners, helping anyone completely transform any room in their home.
Explore our range today and bring the latest design trends into your home with style and ease