Colors, textures and combinations for decorative vertical surfaces

The first step in choosing colors and textures for decorative vertical surfaces is to look at what's already in the space : floors, fixtures, main furnishings, natural light, and the temperature of artificial lighting. Wall coverings don't exist on their own, but interact with everything else.

Wood-effect SPC panels are a very versatile base: light woods (bleached oak, Nordic oak) lighten spaces and work well with neutral floors and white or greige walls. Warmer, more intense tones pair well with dark window frames, black metal, and textured fabrics. On very large walls, a calm design and soft grain are often preferable to avoid creating excessive movement.

Stone and concrete effects on SPC panels or technical claddings lean toward a more contemporary style: grays, sands, and smoky tones pair well with minimalist furnishings, a kitchen island, linear lighting, and black details. In this case, it's important to balance them with warmer elements (wood, fabrics, greenery) to avoid an overly cold atmosphere.

Wooden strips and vertical slats are perfect for creating backdrops and backdrops: behind the TV, behind the bed, behind the sofa, in the entryway. Used in sections, rather than on every wall, they add rhythm without closing off the space.

Here too, the choice of wood type and tone must interact with the flooring and furniture: wood that is too different in color or design from the flooring easily creates dissonance.

Acoustic and textile panels can be an opportunity to introduce bolder colors: deep blues, sage greens, soft terracotta, and dark grays. They often work well when paired with a more neutral base on the main walls, creating a single splash of color that defines the reading area, workstation, or TV corner.

Light plays a fundamental role: textured surfaces, slats, and 3D coverings are enhanced by grazing light, LED strips integrated into ceilings, or ceiling-mounted light beams. It's helpful to consider right from the start where shadows will fall and where textures and reliefs will be highlighted to avoid unwanted effects.

From an overall design perspective, a good rule of thumb is to limit the number of different materials : a few well-chosen elements, consistently repeated, are better than a collection of textures. A stone-effect SPC panel, a cohesive wood, and a neutral wall color are often more than enough to define a space.