Warm, rustic and full of character, horizontal wood paneling in highly versatile Eastern White Pine is a relatively simple and inexpensive way to totally transform a room. It can be white-washed, painted or stained to match your decor, or simply protected with a clear coat to let the natural beauty of the wood shine through.
Horizontal paneling got a less-than-stellar reputation after the faux wood versions of the 1970s made it seem dark and dated. But using real wood, this interior wall treatment has a fresh look. Narrow tongue-and-groove panels in a smoother grade of pine have a more modern look, while shiplap or wide-plank paneling can add a rustic or country aesthetic.
In the top photo, KellyBaron Design gave a home on Lake Joe in Canada a cozy cottage feel with knotty white pine paneling that contrasts with modern bathroom fixtures. The second photograph depicts a lightly stained wider plank in a home by Georgetown Development. In the third photo, Kate Davidson Design uses pale paneling to give a master bedroom a rustic-chic look.