Top 11 Slat Wall Panel Trends For 2024

As we look towards the new year, there is no better time to consider refreshing your interiors and wall panelling can be a cost effective solution. In recent years, there have been some exciting trends emerging in the world of slat walls - The acoustic slat wall panel has been one of the most popular looks of 2023. If you’d like to introduce some visual interest to your walls, slat wall panels can be an excellent option.

So, how can you incorporate this on-trend feature into your home? The humble slat wall panel may offer more versatility than initially apparent. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top slat wall panelling trends of the moment, providing you with inspiration and ideas for your next home renovation project.

1. Feature Walls

One of the most common uses of slat wall panels is as a feature wall. This style involves installing your slat wall panels on one wall in a room, creating a focal point & adding dimension to a space. They are incredibly easy to install and come in a variety of finishes & styles, so it is simple to find something to suit your existing décor. The vertical slats help elongate your space and are useful for creating the impression of higher walls. Gaming rooms in particular benefit from the acoustic benefits.

2. Kitchen Counters & Islands

Designing your kitchens interiors can be a difficult task. Working around necessary appliances doesn’t leave much room for expression and creativity. Adding slat wall panels to kitchen counters and islands may seem to be an unconventional way to bring some style to your kitchen, but the results truly speak for themselves. They can soften the atmosphere of monotone kitchens, by adding warmth and natural textures to a space that is generally difficult to work with.

This is also a fantastic way to bring a bespoke feel to a café, bar or restaurant – perfect for business owners looking to refurbish. The slatted wall effect may appear to be an impressive DIY project to visitors, but the process is as simple as cutting the slat panels to size and fixing them to your counters. There is a hidden advantage to this, as your business will likely benefit from the peaceful atmosphere created by the Sound-Absorbing Acoustic Foam, which does a great job at dampening echoes and reverberations.

3. Perpendicular Panels

Switch things up with perpendicular panelling! Creating a unique visual effect, placing slat panels in different orientations gives you the freedom to create inspired, original panelling styles. This makes them perfect for the creatively inclined, who prefer innovative décor solutions over off-the-shelf offerings. For those looking to install their acoustic slat panels on tall walls, this is a clever way to counteract the ceiling heightening effects of slat wall panels.

4. Upcycled Furniture

Remember that old, beat-up side table in the garage? Seen a great deal at the local charity shop? Offer it a new lease on life, concealing any dings and knocks by adorning your forgotten furniture with some gorgeous slat wall panelling. This may require some research and a pinch of creativity, as there isn’t a standard method for adding slat wall panels to your furniture. But if you can make this work, the juice is certainly worth the squeeze.

Successfully adding slat wall panels to your furniture is an eco-friendly way to extend the life of your old furniture, whilst providing a chic bohemian vibe in your home.

5. Media Wall

When it comes to designing a media wall, slat wall panels are a great option to consider. These panels are versatile and durable, making them an ideal choice for creating a modern and functional media wall. One of the biggest advantages of using slat wall panels is their ability to hold a wide range of items. From mounted televisions to speakers, shelves to artwork, slat wall panels can accommodate all kinds of media components as they are easily customised. This means you can create a tailored media wall that suits your specific needs and preferences.

Another advantage of slat wall panels is their ease of installation. Unlike traditional media walls that require extensive construction work, slat wall panels can be easily installed by simply attaching them to the wall. This not only saves time and money, but also allows you to create a media wall that is easy to modify and update over time!

6. Half Wall Panelling

A familiar style more typically comprised of Panel Moulding stopped with a Dado Rail – This is a contemporary take on classic half-wall panelling. A stylish option that allows for additional expression through your paintwork. Go for muted, earthy tones to set off a warm Ash slat wall panel, or let a clean, white paintjob juxtapose a striking black Oak slat wall panel.

Cutting down your slat wall panels is a clever way to make them stretch further, meaning you will need to buy fewer panels to adorn your walls.

7. Headboard Alternative

Wall panelling can be a great alternative to traditional headboards for several reasons. Beyond the stylish appearance slat wall panels bring, they can help to insulate your bedroom, reducing noise pollution and keeping the space warmer in cold weather. It also helps to protect walls from damage cause by headboards rubbing against them.

As mentioned previously, slat wall panelling is highly customisable and can offer additional storage in your bedroom. You can incorporate shelves, hooks, brackets and other storage solutions into the panelling, giving you a convenient place to keep your belongings organized and accessible.

For an even more cost effective solution, MDF wall panelling strips are a good choice. They're often cheaper (they lack the sound proofing qualities of pre-fabricated slat wall panels) and super simple to install.

8. Hidden Storage & Secret Doors

Got something to hide? We understand.

Secret doors are a fun trend that has taken off in a big way. An effective way to create a hidden passage is using slat wall panels to blend your door with the surrounding walls, making it almost impossible to detect the presence of the secret door. Just fit slat wall panels as normal along either edge of your secret door, and guests will be oblivious to the mysteries that lurk on the other side (or, just the pantry). Available in a range of colours and styles, they can even be painted or stained to match the décor in your house, so your secret lair will remain just that – a secret.

Not got a lair to hide? Well, slat wall panels can also be a fun way to conceal storage in your home. They can be easily cut to size and fitted to cabinets, cupboards and drawers for a seamless finish. Use slatted panels to hide unsightly doors for a streamlined and organized appearance, which can improve productivity whilst minimising stress.

9. Ambient Lighting

Slat wall panels are perfect for implementing dramatic lighting designs in your home, casting intriguing shadows due to their texture and shape. They are also perfect for concealing wires and fixtures between the slats – wires can be routed between the slats as a simple way to achieve a flawless finish whilst keeping unsightly components hidden away.

10. Ceiling Panels

Don’t let the fact that they are known as ‘Wall Panels’ stifle your creativity. Fitting slat wall panels to your ceilings can do wonders at transforming any lacklustre living space into a sleek sanctuary.

Guests won’t have a clue how you’ve done it, but they are sure to be impressed. Extend your feature wall into a feature ceiling, or transform the entire space into a slatted haven, allowing the natural wood tones to soothe your soul from every possible viewing angle.

You’ll need a quality adhesive product to pull this one off (and a nail gun wouldn’t hurt!) but if you can make this look work, your home is guaranteed to be the talk of the town.

11. Home Office

Working from home? Acoustic slat wall panels are a great addition to any home office. The sound-treating qualities of the acoustic slat panels helps to reduce unwanted outside noise. From traffic to noisy neighbours, lining your office with acoustic panels works wonders at blocking out unwanted noise pollution so you can focus on your work. For those online meetings you won’t have to use a virtual background of a pristine apartment or sunny beach scene as slat wall panels bring a sharp and professional look to your home office.

Plus, the panels help to treat the sound from within your office. The acoustic foam backing helps reduce sound reflections in your room, so those struggling with echoes in their room will benefit greatly from implementing acoustic panels into their set up. If you happen to be a musician, or simply love to listen to music, the acoustic foam does wonders at reducing low frequency pressure build ups in your space resulting in crisper, cleaner bass tones.