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What are decorative wall panels called? (List of names/terms)

2025-12-01

Here's a breakdown of what decorative wall panels are commonly called, focusing on the names based on their appearance, material, or purpose:


 

1.By Material:

--Wood Panels/Wood Wall Panels: This covers a wide range, from classic raised panels to modern shiplap or board-and-batten looks. The wood can be real or a very convincing laminate.
--PVC Panels/Plastic Wall Panels: Known for being lightweight, water-resistant, and easy to clean. Often used in bathrooms, kitchens, or basements.
--Metal Wall Panels: These add a sleek, industrial, or modern vibe. They might be smooth, textured, or even patterned.
--Fabric Panels/Fabric-Covered Panels: Used primarily for their sound-absorbing qualities and to add soft texture, often seen in offices, home theaters, or bedrooms.
--MDF Panels (Medium-Density Fiberboard): A very common base material that's affordable and can be painted or finished to look like wood, with grooves, or in smooth modern styles.


 

2.By Style or Pattern:

--3D Wall Panels: These stand out because they have pronounced textures and patterns that create depth and shadows on the wall.
--Geometric Panels: Feature repeating patterns based on shapes like hexagons, triangles, or squares.
--Raised Panels: A traditional style where the center panel is set lower than the surrounding frame, often used for a classic or formal look.
--Beadboard Panels: Characterized by narrow, vertical grooves running the length of the panel, creating a cottage or coastal feel.
--Shiplap Panels: Designed with a distinctive overlapping groove, popular for achieving a modern farmhouse style.
--Tile Panels/Wall Tiles: Especially for styles that mimic the look of ceramic, stone, or brick tiles but are easier to install as larger panels.


 

3.By Features:

--Acoustic Panels/Sound-Absorbing Panels: Specifically designed to reduce noise and echo, often made with soft materials like fabric or perforated wood/MDF with insulation behind.
--Textured Wall Panels: A general term highlighting panels that aren't flat, adding tactile interest to a wall surface.
--Cover Panels/Wall Coverings: Emphasizes their function as a surface layer applied over an existing wall.


 

4.By Installation Method (Sometimes):

--Wall Tiles: When panels are smaller and designed to be installed in a grid pattern like traditional tiles.
--Wall Planks: Long, narrow panels designed to mimic the look of wood planks or siding installed horizontally or vertically.


 

5.By Location or Function:

--Accent Wall Panels: Highlighting their primary use – to create a focal point wall in a room.
--Wainscoting/Wainscot Panels: Specifically referring to panels installed on the lower portion of a wall, traditionally with a chair rail on top.
--Ceiling Panels: While the query is about walls, decorative panels designed for ceilings are conceptually similar and sometimes grouped together.