Create an Accent Wall with Knotty Pine Paneling

Walls allow you to spice up a house or cabin with your creativity. If you want to vary from the ordinary, try an accent wall or two with knotty pine paneling. This natural product is a gorgeous option to drywall and a lot easier to install.

Knotty pine wall paneling is versatile in the ways you can layout patterns and color it. You can add personal items and decorative ideas to the wood if desired. An accent wall can be used in a family room, den, bedroom, kitchen, or basement.

What Is An Accent Wall?

An accent wall is an interior or exterior wall in a home or business that is different from the other walls in a room. The purpose of accenting is highlighting walls to make them stand out from the rest. You can make it different by varying the:  

• Material
• Design
• Color
• Surface Texture
• Theme
• Decor

There are unlimited options for creating accent walls. Your home or office is unique and special and so should be your accent walls. When choosing a stain color, account for the purpose of the room, that is, how it will be used.

Some other tips include creativity in your plans and choosing the right wall to highlight. Accent the natural focal point wall, or create a focal point if the room doesn’t have one.

Why Choose Knotty Pine for Walls

Everyone knows about painted drywalls that can seem boring over time. Knotty pine paneling adds a comforting and rustic atmosphere to a log or conventional home. Homeowners choose this material because they like its:

• Earthy feel created by bringing nature into the room
• Varied grain patterns, colors, knots, and mineral streaks
• Approach to going ‘green’ with a sustainable product
• Strength, durability, and stability are desirable qualities
• Affordability compared to some other materials
• It is virtually a “no waste” material that does not end up in the landfill

Knotty pine paneling is available in widths of 4”, 5”, 6”, and 8” and can be ordered in unfinished or pre-finished conditions. This paneling is easy to install and adds warmth and character to any room or home.

“Walls allow you to spice up a house or cabin with your creativity. If you want to vary from the ordinary, try an accent wall or two with knotty pine paneling.”

Pine Accent Wall Options

We’ve already mentioned there are limitless options for interior accent walls. These are some of the favorite ideas gleaned from home and business owners:  

• Select the widths and lengths of the paneling pieces to accent the room
• Choose the layout pattern: vertical, horizontal, diagonal, herringbone, or custom
• Match the stain color with the décor or purpose of the room
• Add decorations, artwork, photos, or personal items
• Place complementary furniture or plants by the wall
• Create natural or artificial lighting to highlight the wall

A real wood wall adds warmth and character to any room when installed and decorated well. You need to select matching trims, molding, and finishes to complete the job.

Pine Accent Wall Trims and Molding

All walls need some trims or molding and baseboards to provide a finished look. They fit at the top, corners, and bottoms of accent walls. They should blend in with the colors and materials of the adjoining walls and floors. Ageless favorites for full walls and wainscoting include:

Quarter round, cove, and base shoe are additional small and simple trims you can use in a variety of places. Trims and moldings can be finished with the same colors as the wall paneling or with one or two contrasting colors. Make it your own and it will be special.

Pine Accent Wall Finishes

There are two basic approaches to finishing accent walls. One is applying a clear coat only to highlight the natural characteristics of the wood. The other is to stain the pine wood with a color and top it with a clear coat finish.

There are no right or wrong colors for your walls. Choose a color to stain the paneling yourself, or order pre-finished paneling in one of these prized shades from our finishing shop:

You may elect to bypass staining the pine wood and go for several layers of a clear coat finish. Purchase a high-quality product, apply one coat and let it dry thoroughly, sand lightly, and apply another coat. The result will look amazing.

Resources and References:

• Accent Walls
• Decorating Pine Walls