5 Amazing Reclaimed Wood Wall Paneling Patterns to Try

Reclaimed wood paneling can make or break a room. Pick the right pattern, and it looks like it's always belonged there. Pick the wrong one, and even good wood ends up looking flat.

5 Amazing Reclaimed Wood Wall Paneling Pattern

Here are five patterns that actually show off what reclaimed wood is good at.

1. Horizontal Shiplap

Shiplap's the classic for a reason. The overlapping horizontal boards work in almost any room, and the pattern actually plays to reclaimed wood's strengths instead of fighting them.

Why it works with reclaimed wood: Slight differences in board thickness or width don't stand out here. The color variation in old wood just adds depth.

Where to use it:

• Living rooms and bedrooms, for that farmhouse feel
• Bathrooms, since it handles moisture fine
• Accent walls that need to make a statement

One tip: Start with your straightest boards at eye level. Get a level out and use it, small mistakes stack up fast on a wall this size.

2. Vertical Board and Batten

This pattern uses wide boards with narrow strips covering the seams, and it draws the eye upward. Good option if a room feels short on ceiling height.

Why it works with reclaimed wood: The battens cover uneven edges, so it forgives a lot of the quirks that come with salvaged material.

Where to use it:

• Rooms with low ceilings
• Entryways or a single feature wall

One tip: Put the wide boards up first, then the battens. That way you've got some wiggle room to keep your lines straight.

3. Diagonal Herringbone

Herringbone brings a sharper, more finished look with its interlocking diagonal boards. It shows off grain and tone variation better than most patterns.

With reclaimed wood: Try to keep boards close in thickness so the installation goes more smoothly. Color differences actually help the pattern here.

Where it works well:

• Dining room feature walls
• Bedrooms, for something a little more upscale
• Home offices

Planning tip: Start the layout from the center and work outward. Keep some extra wood on hand, you'll likely need it.

4. Mixed Width Planks

Random widths, no set pattern. This one leans all the way into the rustic look.

Why it works with reclaimed wood: It doesn't fight the uneven edges and inconsistent widths salvaged wood comes with, it uses them.

Where to use it:

• Barn-style rooms
• Family rooms, game rooms, casual spaces

One tip: Lay a few feet of boards out before you attach anything. Check that the widths aren't falling into an obvious repeating pattern.

5. Basket Weave

Alternating horizontal and vertical boards to form a woven square pattern. Takes more skill, but it adds real depth and texture to a wall.

What to know: Boards need to match in thickness for this to line up right. Some color variation adds charm, but too much starts to look messy.

Where to use it:

• Modern or contemporary rooms
• Focal walls in living rooms or hallways

Fair warning: This one takes time. Buy extra material for cutoffs and waste.