Decorative wooden slats: a wall cladding that is becoming all the rage
Nicely-decorated walls are certainly eye-catching and recently, a penchant for cladding walls with wood has come back into fashion. This trend ranges from using wood panels decorated with framing relief moldings to the use of shiplap (siding) for a more rustic look. Currently, the rage is for thin decorative strips/slats, that are have a more modern, clean, sharp look and feel.
Wood sidings and paneling was typically made using wide planks (slats) fitted or slotted together. More popular these days is cladding that has a much more three-dimensional appearance, with thin slats revealing the backing walls.
The most popular choice for walls, and more
Compared to many other options for finishing the decor of a room, wooden slats have a number of advantages. From an aesthetic point of view, they are much beloved by interior design experts who use them in a myriad of creative layouts. And these slats are also excellent for acoustically isolating a room.
Slats are used extensively in living rooms, but in reality, they can look good almost anywhere in a home.
If want to create a cinema room (or one which looks like the real thing), using slatted wood cladding is a perfect solution. And slats can also look good in the bedroom, the office, and even in the bathroom. In fact, slats have an beauty and versitility that makes them suitable for use almost anywhere.
Thin slats can have a purely decorative value
Unlike the classic slats we referred to at the top of this article, this new approach does not require that slats be slotted into each other: rather, a gap is left between each slat. This way, the gaps reveal the background of the surface against which they are mounted.
Now, you just have to imagine all the possible color combinations you can get by choosing the color for the slats and the color for the backing wall.
Decorative, but also acoustically useful
Frequently, these slats are not bought individually, but as groups already mounted on panels that act as a "background". The slats are also usually made with materials capable of efficiently absorbing sound. This is why this type of wall cladding is perfect in living rooms, or other rooms where you listen to music or watch films. And it goes without saying that everyone wants a bedroom that is as quiet as possible!
An accent wall... right up to the ceiling!
In most cases, slats are used to cover one wall or two adjacent ones. But nothing stops you from going further: they can be used to frame the space of the room which serves as an office. In the bedroom, they can run behind the bed, up the wall and even project out onto the ceiling, creating a canopy effect.
All the colors you want
In short, slats are the ideal choice for those who want all the warmth of wood, but with a modern, non-rustic look and feel.
Additionally, the slats come in many color variations. The gray that we see in this photo definitely has a contemporary feel about it...
...and what about an intense, dramatic red? But you can also consider going for pastel hues, other bold tones or whatever colors you like!
Would you consider installing slats in your home?