Soft wall panels are not only a practically useful solution for any room, but also an original design move.
Using panels, you can insulate and soundproof walls, as well as add expressiveness to the interior, or vice versa - make the room more comfortable.
Installing wall panels does not require any special skills - they are easily attached using special glue or using a mini drill.
What are interior panels
Wall panels are a separate type of building material intended for cladding walls in residential premises.
The panels can look completely different. Some of them imitate wood, others look like stone, others have a complex texture, and others look like soft upholstery.
Glossy varnish and matting composition can be applied to a hard surface.
Panel sizes
Most often, wall panels for interior decoration of a bedroom are 15-50 cm wide and 3-4 meters long. There are square-shaped panels (more often in the case of soft coverings) and non-standard widths and lengths.
The width of the panel varies from 5 to 10 mm, so as not to take up the area of the room.
Wall panels allow you to hide minor imperfections in walls and wires.
We measure and mark the foam
- We measure and mark the foam and, using a regular knife, cut the foam to the desired size.
- The foam should be the same size as the back panel.
Disadvantages of panels
Among the disadvantages of the panels, one can only mention their fragility. Hard types of panels crack easily during cutting. They may receive dents from an impact, for example, if a heavy toy flies into the wall.
That is why wall panels are used to decorate the head of the bed in the bedroom, where they will be visible, but will not be subject to frequent loads.
PVC
The most popular and affordable ones today are plastic ones. A huge range of models, various colors, a variety of shapes, patterns and sizes allow you to choose PVC panels.
But you shouldn’t rush, since you can’t forget about the harmful effects of all kinds of impurities and compounds. This can happen when heated, and then the fumes from the plastic will cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory organs.
Panel material
Panels made from different materials differ greatly in appearance, price and performance:
Wooden
Wooden panels always look expensive and noble. Since solid wood is much more expensive than plastic and glass, in stores you can find panels with a plastic base and a decorative wooden layer. There are also panels made from cheap wood with valuable wood veneer.
MDF
Panels made from laminated wood shavings look very presentable due to lamination, and at the same time are much cheaper than their wooden counterparts. In addition to their decorative function, the panels retain heat and sound in the bedroom.
laminated chipboard
Laminated wood chip boards are even cheaper than MDF. However, they weigh almost as much as MDF or wood. Therefore, such panels cannot be hung on fragile, crumbling walls.
PVC
Plastic panels are perhaps the most popular. They weigh little, are easy to install, have a wide selection of colors and textures, and are also very inexpensive. The only drawback of such plates is fragility. The panels often crack during cutting and installation.
Plaster
The panels are made from safe and environmentally friendly gypsum, on top of which a vinyl film is glued. Due to this, the panels can have a three-dimensional relief of almost any complexity and any color.
Gypsum panels do not leave visible seams between the elements, this allows you to assemble a single canvas of the desired size.
Soft wall panels
Upholstered panels often replace the headboard in small bedrooms. They not only look beautiful, but are also very pleasant to the touch.
The panels are made of three layers. Each panel is based on a dense material. It can be plastic, chipboard or other material. The outside of the panels is covered with natural or eco-leather, velor, silk, tapestry or synthetic fabrics. Between the layers they put a filling made of foam rubber or holofiber or padding polyester.
Soft wall panels for the bedroom can be smooth or decorated with screed. Carriage fastening of panels with decorative buttons is very popular.
Deciding how we are going to cover the wall
First, let's decide what we're going to do, decide how much of the wall we want to cover, and measure the height and width of the wall.
Let's make a plan with all the dimensions and don't forget that the wood panels will not fit together due to the batting and fabric that will be stretched around and under it, so don't forget to allow for this in the measurements.
Important aspects
Before you go to the store to buy panels, you need to clarify several important parameters:
- Indoor ceiling height;
- The area of the site that will be finished with panels;
- Condition of the walls. This determines how thin and light the panels should be.
- Degree of illumination. In a dark bedroom you cannot install panels of dark, saturated colors.
It is also important to think in advance about the style in which the bedroom will be decorated. For example, 3D PVC panels will fit perfectly into a high-tech style, but will completely ruin an interior in a minimalist or Eastern style.
Sewing staple fabric in place
Turn the board over and firmly attach the fabric to the board.
We'll do this by holding the fabric taut as we remove the previous staple and replace it with one that fits the board.
For added safety, rub the staples with a rubber mallet to make sure they fit properly into the board.
Panel color
The choice of panel color plays not only an important decorative, but also a practical role. If the panels are located on a decorative wall, near which there is no furniture, you can choose almost any color that suits the interior.
If the panels, and especially soft panels, are planned to be mounted at the head of the bed, on the wall of which there will be a sofa or armchair, it is better to give preference to colors that are not too easily soiled.
In such places the panel will certainly get dirty, so it is better to take care in advance that the dirt is not too noticeable.
In the case of soft panels, the best choice would be one of the types of leather or a synthetic material with a flock-type pile. This upholstery will be easy to wash and dry quickly.
Place the batting on top of the foam
Place the batting on top of the foam and pull down to staple it to the board.
Start in the middle of one side and staple before doing the same on the opposite side.
We start from the middle and move towards the end. Don't pull too hard on the batting so that it doesn't tear or become deformed, but just enough so that it rests on the foam without leaving it loose and baggy.
Wall panels in a small bedroom
In small bedrooms, the panels are usually mounted on the wall behind the bed. It is better to choose colors from a light palette, and in the case of slatted panels, place them horizontally. Light horizontal stripes will visually enlarge the bedroom.
It is better to choose flat panels made of plastic or chipboard as a material; voluminous soft and gypsum panels will take up already valuable space in the room.
Attach the foam to the board
- Glue the foam to the board. Apply a small amount of spray adhesive to the board and foam and leave for a few seconds until it becomes tacky to the touch.
- Then put the foam on the board and press them tightly. It doesn't have to be pressed perfectly, as this is just to hold the foam in place.
Wall panels in a spacious bedroom
In a large bedroom, panels can be used to decorate the walls near the dressing table, chest of drawers or sitting area with an armchair.
You can also take a risk and install wall panels on the ceiling. This technique makes your bedroom truly exclusive.
Glass
In the manufacture of this type, tempered glass is used, which is durable and wear-resistant. The glass version of the panels is varied. Their surface can be either matte or smooth glossy. 3D panels in the bedroom are considered new.
Modern versions of glass coatings can imitate various natural materials, such as stone, brick, wood, etc. They can be equipped with lighting, which will advantageously emphasize the uniqueness of the room and make the room more spacious.
The only negative that may be present during operation is the formation of stains, smudges or fingerprints on the glass. To avoid them, you will have to carefully care for the material.
Material safety
When choosing panels from any material, always ask the seller for a quality certificate for the material.
In the accompanying documentation for each type of panel, the manufacturer must indicate the degree of flammability, toxicity, flammability and smoke generation. These parameters are indicated in the form of coefficients from 1 to 4. The lower the coefficient, the better the quality of the product.
Attach the remaining fabric with staples to the board
Turn the board over and loosely staple the rest of the fabric to the board.
- We start from the middle and move further.
- If the fabric has a pattern or weave, you can periodically change the side you're working on as this will help keep everything straight.
- Also, don't forget to lift or turn the board over from time to time to make sure that the fabric is even and not deformed.
We check again that the fabric is even, smooth and not deformed. We adjust if necessary.
Useful tips
- In a hardware store, check with the seller; the price tag indicates the price for one panel or per square meter of coverage.
- Hard panels should not have cracks, chips or scratches;
- Always choose the type of panel mounting adhesive recommended by the manufacturer;
- Carefully check the joints and locking connections of the panels for defects;
- If you are going to cover a large area with panels, it is better to buy all the panels from one batch. This information is indicated on the packaging of the finishing material. Panels of the same model from different batches may vary slightly. You can discover this fact already when all the panels are on the wall;
- If you want to create a complex pattern of slats or create a combination of different types of panels, before installation, lay the entire composition on the floor and make sure that each part is positioned correctly.
Correctly selected panels will successfully complement both a classic or baroque bedroom interior, and a loft or modern style bedroom.
Wall panels will be an excellent alternative to wallpaper or plaster other than the main color, which are often used to decorate an accent wall.
Ironing the fabric
Iron the fabric to remove wrinkles and place it on a clean surface.
Adjust the board until it is centered on the fabric with an equal amount of fabric on all sides, and if the fabric has a pattern or weave, make sure it is straight before you start stitching, as this will be very noticeable.
