Decorating
Spotted! Padded Walls are Popping Up
Whether padded or panelled, tufted or studded, walls are now showing off stylish upholstery
No doubt most of us have quietly noticed the trend of upholstered bedheads over past years. You might also have noticed how the bedheads were getting higher and higher – climbing and morphing with the wall. In fact, you could almost say that padded walls are a natural progression of the padded bedhead trend.
The surprising thing about this trend is that it’s actually got a fair bit of scope. Depending on the room, the shape of the panels and the fabric, this trend can transform a room into a luxury boudoir, a mid-century diner, an intimate cinema or a five-star hotel room.
The surprising thing about this trend is that it’s actually got a fair bit of scope. Depending on the room, the shape of the panels and the fabric, this trend can transform a room into a luxury boudoir, a mid-century diner, an intimate cinema or a five-star hotel room.
In the traditional living room
This living room uses padded walls to offer plenty of comfortable banquette seating in a somewhat limited space. The long banquette is not too deep, but instead stretches the space lengthwise with seating that runs from end to end. Running the tufted upholstery all the way up the walls creates uniformity and allows the eye to view that side of the room as one continuous visual effect.
This living room uses padded walls to offer plenty of comfortable banquette seating in a somewhat limited space. The long banquette is not too deep, but instead stretches the space lengthwise with seating that runs from end to end. Running the tufted upholstery all the way up the walls creates uniformity and allows the eye to view that side of the room as one continuous visual effect.
In the sitting room, snug or den
Burgundy leather padded walls just ooze warmth and are the perfect backdrop to this fireplace. In case the fireplace itself wasn’t enough, the padded wall defines the focal point of the room, while marrying a feeling of comfort with sophistication.
See the dens of yesteryear
Burgundy leather padded walls just ooze warmth and are the perfect backdrop to this fireplace. In case the fireplace itself wasn’t enough, the padded wall defines the focal point of the room, while marrying a feeling of comfort with sophistication.
See the dens of yesteryear
In the powder room
In case you thought padded walls were too soft and feminine, here is a look that’s about as masculine as you can get. Leather is a surprising choice in a powder room, but it actually makes a lot of sense as this small space is the one room where you do get up close to the walls. The fine leather texture also softens the hardness and boxiness of a powder room.
In case you thought padded walls were too soft and feminine, here is a look that’s about as masculine as you can get. Leather is a surprising choice in a powder room, but it actually makes a lot of sense as this small space is the one room where you do get up close to the walls. The fine leather texture also softens the hardness and boxiness of a powder room.
In the dressing room
How do you define an area designed for getting into your finery, putting on make-up or doing your hair? This padded wall does this with glamour and ease. The vertical rectangular pattern maintains a modern feel, while white is a neutral colour choice that keeps it from feeling too feminine.
Create a polished make-up corner
How do you define an area designed for getting into your finery, putting on make-up or doing your hair? This padded wall does this with glamour and ease. The vertical rectangular pattern maintains a modern feel, while white is a neutral colour choice that keeps it from feeling too feminine.
Create a polished make-up corner
In the games room
Padded walls in a games room or family room create a cosy, comfortable feel. Corner nooks in particular can sometimes be quite hard and less preferred seating than a big, cushy lounge. So, in this case, the corner spot has been softened with padding on the walls, turning it into an area that you could easily curl up in. The large square sections provide the perfect decorative solution when you want to keep a slightly more formal appearance without sacrificing comfort.
Padded walls in a games room or family room create a cosy, comfortable feel. Corner nooks in particular can sometimes be quite hard and less preferred seating than a big, cushy lounge. So, in this case, the corner spot has been softened with padding on the walls, turning it into an area that you could easily curl up in. The large square sections provide the perfect decorative solution when you want to keep a slightly more formal appearance without sacrificing comfort.
For a cosy nook
A nook is where you can really add charm to your house. They’re unexpected and often very welcome little places where people can take a pause. If you’re feeling at all hesitant about padded walls, applying the look to a small space is a way to tone down the impact. If you’re just doing a section of a wall, you can go bold with your fabric choice, like the dark and dramatic fabric in this room.
A nook is where you can really add charm to your house. They’re unexpected and often very welcome little places where people can take a pause. If you’re feeling at all hesitant about padded walls, applying the look to a small space is a way to tone down the impact. If you’re just doing a section of a wall, you can go bold with your fabric choice, like the dark and dramatic fabric in this room.
A casual eatery
Breakfast nooks should look inviting. Padded wall panels can transform an otherwise uncomfortable bench into a place that will make people want to linger all morning. A splash of colour, such as bright red or yellow, creates a focal point and is even reminiscent of American-style diners.
Breakfast nooks should look inviting. Padded wall panels can transform an otherwise uncomfortable bench into a place that will make people want to linger all morning. A splash of colour, such as bright red or yellow, creates a focal point and is even reminiscent of American-style diners.
In the dining room
Who doesn’t love a bit of drama in the dining room? So, if you’ve got a separate dining room in your house, that’s an invitation to really go for it. One functional benefit of a padded wall is noise insulation, so you can have a loud dinner party and keep the sound semi-contained.
Who doesn’t love a bit of drama in the dining room? So, if you’ve got a separate dining room in your house, that’s an invitation to really go for it. One functional benefit of a padded wall is noise insulation, so you can have a loud dinner party and keep the sound semi-contained.
In an office
The office is another room where a bit of sound insulation might be a practical measure. If it’s a space that you’re inviting clients to, then a padded wall is a definite way to create impact. This wall is made to look especially dynamic with a colour that is complementary to the adjoining wall and sports a fabric with a sheen that reflects light from the ceiling.
The office is another room where a bit of sound insulation might be a practical measure. If it’s a space that you’re inviting clients to, then a padded wall is a definite way to create impact. This wall is made to look especially dynamic with a colour that is complementary to the adjoining wall and sports a fabric with a sheen that reflects light from the ceiling.
In the contemporary bedroom
You could almost mistake these wall panels for being an extra tall bedhead, as that’s exactly the role they are playing in this room. Nowhere is the tufted look as popular as it is at the head of the bed. Running only a section of upholstery high up the wall creates vertical height, which lends a dramatic feel to the room.
Browse more contemporary bedrooms
You could almost mistake these wall panels for being an extra tall bedhead, as that’s exactly the role they are playing in this room. Nowhere is the tufted look as popular as it is at the head of the bed. Running only a section of upholstery high up the wall creates vertical height, which lends a dramatic feel to the room.
Browse more contemporary bedrooms
In the traditional bedroom
You’ve heard of the layered look? Well this bedroom offers multiple layers of texture and pattern. The padded wall actually sits behind an upholstered bedhead, and wood trim separates it from the wallpaper. This room echoes the tartan and leather seen in previous generations’ gentlemen’s clubs, but the grey and beige colours bring it back to the modern.
You’ve heard of the layered look? Well this bedroom offers multiple layers of texture and pattern. The padded wall actually sits behind an upholstered bedhead, and wood trim separates it from the wallpaper. This room echoes the tartan and leather seen in previous generations’ gentlemen’s clubs, but the grey and beige colours bring it back to the modern.
In a modern bedroom
For lovers of uniformity, the texture of the padded wall can be carried right through by matching it to your bedspread. The all-white design keeps this room looking fresh and contemporary while making the diamond pattern the focus. The method of upholstery on the wall is a slightly softer approach than a button-tufted style, helping it to work well with the bedspread pattern.
For lovers of uniformity, the texture of the padded wall can be carried right through by matching it to your bedspread. The all-white design keeps this room looking fresh and contemporary while making the diamond pattern the focus. The method of upholstery on the wall is a slightly softer approach than a button-tufted style, helping it to work well with the bedspread pattern.
In a minimalist bedroom
This grey bedroom is proof that padded walls can be just the thing for minimalists as well. The clean lines of the simple rectangle pattern and the matt grey texture remove the need for any artwork or wall hangings. A break in the panels is an interesting way to delineate the bedhead area.
This grey bedroom is proof that padded walls can be just the thing for minimalists as well. The clean lines of the simple rectangle pattern and the matt grey texture remove the need for any artwork or wall hangings. A break in the panels is an interesting way to delineate the bedhead area.
Under the stairs
The space under the stairs has to be one of the most under-utilised spaces in most people’s homes. Since this space is usually transitional in terms of function, why not create a bit of extra seating as a place for people to put their shoes on or have a seat while waiting on others. Extending the padding to each step will define the line of the staircase, creating visual interest.
TELL US
What do you think of padded walls? Share your opinions in the Comments section.
MORE
Be inspired by a gallery of accent walls
The space under the stairs has to be one of the most under-utilised spaces in most people’s homes. Since this space is usually transitional in terms of function, why not create a bit of extra seating as a place for people to put their shoes on or have a seat while waiting on others. Extending the padding to each step will define the line of the staircase, creating visual interest.
TELL US
What do you think of padded walls? Share your opinions in the Comments section.
MORE
Be inspired by a gallery of accent walls
Padded walls work for people who want to be surrounded by a sumptuous streamlined look and soft cushioning. Large, fairly flat panels in a neutral colour, as used in this living room, create a quiet, serene atmosphere. While the oversized window opens you up to the world, the adjacent wall provides soft comfort. The use of a padded wall in this living room has a balancing effect, which is why the end result looks so inviting.