How to maintain decorative wall panels

 

Decorative wood panels for walls were a popular option for wall décor for home interior designs in the previous centuries. This trend is on a rise again with a contemporary twist. With the option to overlay panels with wallpaper, fabric, veneer etc —you now have a slew of alternatives to choose from in regards to finish, color and pattern. Just think of all the possibilities for living room wall panel designs and other rooms!

Wall panels for the living room would greatly enhance the overall aesthetic. Since it is usually the first room anyone sees, you can hide imperfections like uneven walls, exposed cables, etc. with wall panels. Decorative wall panels for the bedroom will make for charming and artistic accents.

Wall panelling materials for wall décor in home interior

Natural wood is always a classic and chic choice for paneled walls. Gypsum boards, PVC, MDF and chipboards are some of the other popular options. Each of these substrate materials can be coated with wallpaper, veneer, fabric, paint, etc.

How to clean and maintain decorative wall panels

Wall panels make for a maintenance friendly wall treatment option in home interior designs, especially with a variety of low-maintenance materials to choose from.

1.    Wall panel maintenance tip #1: Understand your panels

As we have seen, many different materials can be used to install wall panelling in home interiors, such as wood, MDF, PVC panels, etc. The panels might be coated with paint, wall paper, laminate, fabric, etc. Each material and top coat would require different types of care and maintenance. Thus, the knowledge of panelling material is crucial.
 

5.    Wall panel maintenance tip #5: Clean up stains ASAP

Stains and splatters ruin the top coat if not cleaned immediately. They introduce moisture to the wall panels and can thus damage the substrate too. To avoid any permanent stains and abrasion, make sure to clean up straightaway. Lightly dabbing the splatters with a soft cloth or sponge is the best way to clean up. This way you can contain the damage and also avoid any further scratches and streaks. Diluted soap water should get rid of most stains. Avoid using harsh detergents and solvents as they can cause discoloration. Always spot-test any cleaning product you plan to use. Preferably opt for ones recommended by the manufacturers.
 

Pro tip #3:

Always be gentle. Scrubbing the panels can damage the panels.
 

Care and maintenance tips for unsealed wood paneling

Unsealed wood is susceptible to warping as it can easily absorb moisture, grease, etc. Here is how you should care for it:

●    Never use any water based cleaning solution to clean untreated wood panels.

●    Use wood oil to both clean and maintain the finish of your wood panels.

●    A mixture of vegetable oil and white vinegar in a 4:1 ratio should also work if you cannot find wood oils.

●    Always do a patch test of the wood oil or the solution before using them all over the panels. Let it sit for a few minutes to determine if it can
       possibly damage the wood panels.

●    Always spritz the solution on a clean cloth until damp and then rub it into the wood. Do it directly to the panels.

●    Make sure to rub the oil or the solution along the grain of the wood so that the panels can absorb it well.

●    Rub it along small sections, in uniform motion and from bottom to top for even application overall.

●    Let it sit for sometime and if the panels feel dry to touch, apply a second coat in the exact same manner.
 

Care and maintenance tips for fabric covered paneling

Use the following tips to maintain and extend the life of upholstered or fabric covered panels.
 

●    Use a mild soap solution to clean up stains with a sponge or a soft cloth and blot the problem area.

●    Ensure that you dry the dampened patches immediately to avoid water marks. Use a clean dry cloth to pull out the moisture or use a hair
       dryer.

●    Always read the care manual accompanying the fabric wallpaper for maintenance requirements.
 

Care and maintenance tips for painted panels

Paint is the most accessible and economic option to coat your panels. It is also the easiest to clean and maintain. To ensure longevity, it is important that you take good care of your painted panels.

●    Mild soap solutions should work for most markings and stains on painted walls.

●    Use gentle material like a sponge to clean up. Apply some pressure when cleaning stubborn stains. This will allow the cleaning solution to
       penetrate deeper.

●    Using dedicated cleaning supplies is the best way to avoid any damage from harsh cleaners.

●    In case of abrasions, discoloration, etc., use any leftover paint from initial painting for touch ups. Ensure that the paint you buy is the exact
      color and finish.

●    To avoid obvious variation between the touch up and the surrounding area, feather out the patch while repainting.

●    Since there is already a layer of paint beneath, thinning the paint might help you match the tone better to the surrounding area.

●    Use the same tool as the original coat to paint while touching up. This way you can achieve the same texture as the surrounding area and
       reduce the chances of a variegated appearance. 

gorgeous panelled wall décor in your home.

You can visit our website to check various options offered and projects executed by us so far. If you wish, you can book your 3D consultation call to understand the project’s process, design, and execution or walk into any of our stores across India. Our current décor stores are spread across Amritsar, Tumakuru, Raipur, Jaipur, New Delhi, Kochi, Karur, Coimbatore, Bengaluru and Nashik. In addition, we are in the process of opening up state-of-the-art stores across several cities.