Help! Do you think planked walls are a passing trend?

Question

I have installed {& LOVE} vertical beadboard in several areas of our home. I think that traditional vertical boards are a classic staple that compliment many different décor styles. 
 I am now redoing the guest bath & plan to use wider plank beadboard. I have a dilemma of whether I should install it vertically like the rest? Or plank style {horizontal} to provide some variety? {{I should note that all my beadboard is white}} 
 My main concern is that horizontal will become 'dated'..... you know.... like 70's paneling or 80's oak ~ HELP!?! ~

Teri Candeloro · Answer

We installed knotty cedar horizontally, on 3 of our walls in our den, with an accent brick wall back in the 90s. Needless to say, the time came when I definitely felt it had its 'time', and was faced with how to change these 'permanent' walls. Knowing there was no way my husband was about to tear them down, my only solution was changing them with paint. Fortunately, I did and still do like the look of planks, and was pleasantly surprised with the update. (I chose an olive green) So my answer to you would be to decide if you would be willing to commit to planks with the thought of either painting them, or be willing to possibly cover over with new dry wall? (not sure about installing dry wall over planks......was just a thought). But I personally don't feel that planks have to be labelled as trendy. If you like the look of planks, than I say go for it and enjoy your personal style.

Shari · Answer

Let me preface my comment by saying I love the planked wall look and I have a wall in my own home I want to use this treatment on. While I do believe horizontal planked walls are a trend, I think it is going to look less dated than some of the other popular trends right now like chevron and animal prints, heavily distressed and glazed painted furniture, the color gray on everything, 'farmhouse' style etc. When you stop and think about it, there are very few completely timeless looks in decorating. Generally, there is some little something that will pinpoint almost all rooms to a certain decade, whether it is the specific shades of colors used (like 'avocado green' says 70s, 'mauve' says 80s etc.), wood tones (mahogany from the 30s and 40s, oak from the 80s), furniture styles (Danish Modern from the 60s, now known as mid-century modern), types of prints on fabrics, or even accessories and artwork (80s ducks, cows and hearts). My prediction is that even the current popular trend of removing upper kitchen cabinets in favor of open shelving is going to eventually pass and look dated too. 
 With that being said, I don't think planking will be passe too quickly. While vertical beadboard has been continuously popular for a long, long time, the horizontal planked look seems to just gaining steam thanks to the popularity of farmhouse style so I think it will be popular for a few more years, at least. I kind of liken planking to wallpaper. Adding it to the wall is not a terribly expensive update and as long as you don't destroy the wall underneath, it can always be removed by you or the next homeowner if reaches the point where it looks or feels too dated, or you are just tired of it and you want a different look. I remember putting up 'walnut' colored paneling on one accent wall in my family room in the mid to late 70s. When I was ready for a different look in the 80s, it was easy to pull it down, patch the nail holes and paint. 
 If you really like a specific trend, and if it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to do it (or un-do it when the trend has passed), I don't think anyone should pass on incorporating a decorating trend into their home simply because it is a trend. I say, 'go for it!'

Historic Shed · Answer

Traditional materials installed in a traditional manner never go out of style. Bead board has been installed both horizontally and vertically on walls for ages - sometimes both on one wall using vertical as a wainscoting and horizontal above. People are rediscovering it, but that doesn't make it a 'bad' trend that will pass quickly.

Becky · Answer

If it makes you smile...go for it!!!!!!!!!

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Just my opinion. Horizontal boards make me think of a floor that has crawled up a wall. So personally, I would go vertical but with a chair rail and drywall above.

Snm299916 · Answer

I love the vertical look. Classic!!!

Lisa Culetta · Answer

I love any planked walls It is like the old farmhouses Love it and I would never tire of it

GabbyinPa. · Answer

I'm with@ Becky, if you like it...go for it. I have both beadboard and knotty pine in different areas of my home and still enjoy the look. I think the look is timeless. I painted the beadboard but varnished the knotty pine in a dull finish and love it more as time goes on and the wood darkens with age.

Cmj1283199 · Answer

Having my house on the market and constantly hearing that it is 'out dated' Only do this if you LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. Trust me it will go out of favor. Everything does...

Dorothy · Answer

Every thing will someday be outdated.   That's what makes the world go round

S. Ferg · Answer

I think it's a fad, but can last the fads if it's done right and looks classic (often fads/trends are cheaply made/produced and so they look bad 3-5 years later).

Duv310660 · Answer

If you love it in your home, do it. If you are interested in flipping your house, then developing a personal sense of design isn't something you should be spending time on.

Pete Wells · Answer

Here's a 1925 installation w/ vertical wainscot & horizontal uppers, every downstairs room used this treatment

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

I'm 65 and in my opinion almost every decorating thing is a 'passing fad.' The decorators and shop need to sell new products so they develop them. Our 100 year old cottage had original plank walls that were covered with grass cloth. We painted furniture in the 1970's, then stripped it in the 1980 and are painting furniture again. Expect to replace anything with time.

Lesley · Answer

The house I have just moved into (that I hope is my 'forever home') has vertical planking in the kitchen. Its a dull washed green at the moment but I intend to paint it off white when I have a new kitchen installed. I intend to panel one side on the adjoining conservatory with similar planking but this time horizontal, and paint in the same colour. I honestly don't think either orientation is 'wrong' or will date any more than anything else. Colour on the other hand is another matter but that is easily changed with a lick of paint. I say do it whichever way is easiest!

MARY FISHER · Answer

I love the look, there are so many different designs today, thinking of doing same with just the bottom half of wall, I had wallpaper on the lower half, but the cats seemed to think it was a waste of time! lol

Connie · Answer

Decorating trends run about ten year cycles. You can't sell people what they've already got!

C · Answer

Thank-you everyone for all your terrific input! In the end, I decided to keep it vertical like the rest of the house :-)

Help! Do you think planked walls are a passing trend?

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Help! Do you think planked walls are a passing trend?

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