Before we jump into the topic, let’s take a closer look slat wall stands for. Slat wall is a type of construction material that features grooves or slats. That’s where the name comes from. A standard panel comes with horizontal slats, meaning you can use them to hold items such as hooks and shelves.
It was first created in the 1960s and emphasized convenience rather than beauty. That’s why people first used it in retail stores to display their items better.
While you can still see these panels in shopping malls, they’ve evolved greatly. What started as a purely practical design has also turned into a beautiful fixture. Today, many people use them to decorate their living rooms. Some even prefer to create vertical slats instead of the classic horizontal ones.
You may also hear people calling this type of fixture slot wall, groove wall, or even bracket board.
5 reasons you may need these products even knowing it
Still not convinced you could use a slat wall? No need to worry. Although this type of fixture may seem like a very niche addition to your home, you’d be surprised. The right panel can make your home not only more organized but also much more beautiful. If you want your home to look elegant and modern, you should have at least one in your home.
Here are the 5 reasons why you should invest in a slat wall panel:
- You can get it for a very low price
- It will last you a long time
- You can customize it as much as you wish
- You can install them easily
- It has many different uses
- Low Price
Home improvement can be a very expensive hobby. Luckily, that isn’t the case will slat walls. Unlike most projects, this one will leave your wallet mostly unscathed. And if you decide to go down the DIY path, you won’t pay for anything more than just the wood and tools.
- Sturdy and long-lived
While many homeware additions come with high maintenance, slat walls are the rare exceptions. Once you install them, you won’t have to do anything other than the occasional dusting. These fixtures are also built to last, meaning your kids or pets will rarely damage them.
- Highly customizable
Though most people imagine slat walls as boring white display racks, yours doesn’t have to be this way. The market is teeming with possibilities, meaning you’re guaranteed to find one that will find in your home. And if you don’t, you can just build one yourself.
- Easy installation
If you’re not very handy with tools, rest easy. Installing a slat wall will be one of the easiest DIY projects you’ve ever experienced.
- Versatile use
You can use your slat wall in any way you want. Some people use them in their garages to better organize their tools. However, you be creative and build yourself a wood slat accent wall instead. We recommend using them in the living room – that’s where they shine the best, especially if you go for vertical grooves.
What type of wood is used?
Are you sold on the idea of building yourself a slat wall? Before you do, you need to settle on the right material. People usually create these panels from metals, plastic, or wood. While metals and plastic may work well in your garage, you shouldn’t use them elsewhere. When it comes to decorative wall panels, wood is your best option. Its elegant texture complements most modern houses well.
Another reason wood is such a great choice is its versatility. With so many types of wood, you’re bound to find one that complements your room well.
You can find the overview of wood types in the table below:
| Wood Type | Cost | Durability | Color |
| Plywood | Cheap | Not as durable | Varies |
| Pine | Cheap | Not as durable | Light |
| Poplar | Cheap | Moderately durable | Light |
| Redwood | Affordable | Resilient | Dark |
| Cedar | Affordable | Resilient | Light with dark undertones |
| Fir | Affordable | Resilient | Light |
| Walnut | Expensive | Resilient | Dark |
| Alder | Cheap | Resilient | Light |
| Larch | Affordable | Moderately durable | Light |
| Oak | Expensive | Resilient | Dark |
Factors to consider
As you can see in the table above, you have plenty of options to choose from. But how do you choose the right one for you? This decision is more than just a matter of preference. Before you buy your preferred type of wood, you should consider the following 3 factors:
- Your budget
- The wood’s durability
- The color of your room
Budget
It will be the limiting factor in your decision-making. While you may think all wood is just wood and should cost the same, this isn’t entirely true. Many factors influence the cost of each type of wood. For instance, different tree species have different growth rates. The ones that grow slower will thus be much more expensive.
Beyond that, it’s all about supply and demand. The higher the demand, the lower the supply. And the lower the supply, the more expensive the wood will be.
It shouldn’t affect you too much unless you plan on buying mahogany. Most of our listed options are quite affordable without sacrificing any quality.
Durability
The second factor you must consider is durability. Though it may not be intuitive, durability is related to your budget. While you may be tempted to buy cheaper wood, you’ll likely end up replacing it more often. Thus, you’ll have to deal with unforeseen expenses. We recommend going for wood types marked Moderately Durable or higher on our list to avoid this. Though the initial price may be higher, it will be a better investment in the long run.
Room color
The final factor has to do with aesthetics. We recommend using contrast to its full potential. If your room uses a dark color palette, go for light wood. If it’s bright, choose a darker type of wood. It will make your home appear modern and elegant. Before you know it, you’ll have the most beautiful living room in the neighborhood.
You can also use stain to change the original color. It is much cheaper than buying the real wood type.
Is the style trendy?
There’s never been a better time to build a slat wall. Elegant and affordable, everybody wants to have one in their house. Don’t believe us? You can look at social media. Many influencers and even celebrities have slat walls in their homes.
They’re especially trendy in the living room. Since most people prefer a modern and elegant look, the right panel can bring out its color.
But it’s not just about the looks. These fixtures are also cheap and easy to install. We guarantee you’ll install one in a matter of minutes, even if you don’t trust your DIY skills. As for the cost, it all depends on the materials you choose. But compared to other home improvement projects, you should still be able to afford it.
How thick should it be?
Before you get to work, you must decide how thick you want your wall to be. While this will come down to your personal preference, we recommend the following thickness.
As a rule of thumb, the wood strips should touch the wall closely. It will give it more structural support, preventing it from collapsing. If you’re using plywood sheets, they should be about 3/8 inches thick. If you’re using 1×2 lumber, cut your strips so that they are 3/4 inches thick.
Horizontal vs. vertical – which one is better?
Both options have their pros and cons. You can review their difference in the table below:
| Type | Visual effect | Available in wallpaper form | Item storage |
| Horizontal | It makes the room appear wider | No | Yes |
| Vertical | It makes the room appear taller | Yes | No |
Conclusion
Slat walls are all the rage these days. And for a good reason. This unique decorative feature can reshape your room, making it feel modern and alive. While you’ll have to step out of your comfort zone to install one, it’s certainly worth the effort.
