5 Timeless Wall Ideas to Incorporate Texture

There are many different wall ideas for elevating your space, but adding texture really emphasizes these foundational spaces and allows them to stand out with elegant longevity. 

Professional interior designers know that when there is a lack of texture, homes often feel hard, cold, and empty. By adding different finishes and touches to your walls, you can emphasize your home’s class, character, and distinct style.

If you’re looking for ways to incorporate texture beyond simply adding wicker baskets (no shade—we love wicker additions in a home) to your spaces, you’re in the right place. Let’s explore five ways you can emphasize texture in your home, starting with your walls. 

Five Wall Ideas to Enhance Your Home

When exploring wall design ideas for your home, keep an open mind. While it’s important to uphold the ultimate vision you have for your home design, there are many different approaches for achieving the way you want your home to feel. 

Wall Panelling

Wall panelling is just what it sounds like: adding panels or trim to your walls, most often using wood or an alternative wood-like material. This option has grown in popularity for interior design in PEI, as it complements the character of historic homes—an architectural legacy that's deeply valued on the island.

Wall panelling offers endless possibilities, but the details make all the difference. It’s important to consider the size and profile of decorative moldings or trim, how they’ll integrate with existing baseboards and window casings, and to choose right materials—especially in moisture-prone areas.

At our Dominion Project in Charlottetown, we introduced paneling inspired by historical styles, adding layers of texture and creating striking focal points. In the Winter River Project, we used vertical pine tongue-and-groove paneling in the bathroom, drenching the space in a warm-grey hue. 

Pine is a must for full bathroom wood panelling since medium-density fiberboard (MDF) doesn’t hold up to humidity fluctuations and is highly susceptible to water damage. Another key step with pine is sealing it before painting to prevent tannins from bleeding through and to create a moisture barrier. Solid wood requires more prep work, but the tradeoff is durability—properly finished, it will last much longer.

Beams

Beams are a fantastic way to add texture and character to a space, especially when using reclaimed wood with a naturally weathered patina—like we did in our Vintage Charm Project. 

Here are a few other ways beams can help set the tone of a room:

• Rustic charm with chunky reclaimed wood

• Light and airy look with whitewashed beams

• Clean or more industrial design with painted hollow beams or gyprocked beams and exposed steel beams

While they’re often used on ceilings, beams can be just as impactful in other applications, from fireplace mantels to cased openings, as seen in our New Beginnings Project, and even seamlessly integrated into custom millwork.

Wallpaper 

Of all the wall ideas here, wallpaper is definitely having its moment. That said, we’ve always seen it as a timeless design element rather than a passing trend. In fact, wallpaper has been around since the 3rd century BC. It’s an easy and relatively affordable way to introduce texture, pattern, and color to a space. 

Some options, like peel-and-stick wallpaper, offer a low-commitment solution since they’re easily removable. We used this method in the water closet at our Highbank Project. However, if you’re working with a highly patterned design, peel-and-stick can be tricky since aligning the pattern seamlessly is much harder. 

In contrast, traditional wallpaper applied with glue allows for adjustments on the wall, making it easier to achieve a clean, precise match at the seams—something we prioritized at the Clearview House.

Textured Paint

Textured paint is another straightforward and economical option for adding texture to walls. It adds a custom, bespoke feel to any space and plays well with other textured elements like wood beams, stone, leather, and linen.

We also want to point out that Roman Clay from Portola Paints is made from 100% natural ingredients and does not release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are known carcinogens found in many modern paints commonly used today. 

We have used this natural product called Roman Clay in several projects, especially on fireplace walls as seen in our Winter River Project, to achieve a budget-friendly concrete look and feel. 

In our New Beginnings Project, we applied a deep blue hue to all the walls in the office, resulting in an incredible, almost velvet-like appearance. Darker colours tend to enhance the textured look more than lighter ones, and the application technique also plays a significant role.

Stone or Brick Accent Walls

Few materials add as much instant character and texture to a room as natural stone or brick. Whether you’re aiming for rustic charm, old-world elegance, or modern minimalism, these organic materials offer a sense of permanence and depth that’s hard to replicate.

Stone or brick accent walls work beautifully in living rooms, kitchens, entryways, and even bathrooms—bringing a tactile, grounding element to any space. From traditional red brick to sleek limestone or tumbled marble, the material you choose can dramatically shift the mood and style of the room.

In our Highbank Project, we used a classic white brick veneer to add texture and timeless character to the kitchen. By wrapping the brick seamlessly into the window jambs, we achieved a more authentic, built-in look. We then carried the same brick over to the fireplace wall, creating a cohesive visual thread that ties the open-concept space together—making it feel thoughtful and intentional (because it was!).

Layering these textured walls with soft textiles and warm lighting enhances their visual impact and creates a space that feels both sophisticated and inviting. 

Design Your Dream Home with Plank & Pine

Are these wall ideas inspiring you to reimagine your space? Walls are more than just structural; they’re an opportunity to tell your home’s story through texture, depth, and thoughtful design. 

Whether you're drawn to the classic elegance of wall panelling, the rustic charm of exposed beams, the playful personality of wallpaper, or the refined softness of textured paint, Plank & Pine Interior Design is here to bring your vision to life.

We believe that timeless design begins with intention. If you're ready to transform your space into something that feels both elevated and enduring, let's connect and chat about next steps.

We can’t wait to help you create a home that tells your distinct story.

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