In the early 1970s, minimalism and cool tones such as gray and stark white prevailed. But today, personal touches and the longing for comfort warm the home. Consider infusing your space with the natural textures and warming tones of wood with one of the top interior design trends: wood drenching.
This technique – using wood tones and particularly paneled walls or ceilings to create a wood-wrapped space – is one of the biggest trends of 2025. The result is the cozy space of your dreams, a place where you can feel yourself with a You can hide a book and a blanket. To avoid a paneled room that brings back memories of 1970s suburban basements, we sought expert advice on designing wood-soaked spaces.
What is wood soaking?
“Wood soaking is essentially wrapping a room in wood by using hardwood floors, wood paneling on the walls or ceiling, and warm, rich wood furniture in the room,” says Debbie Mathews, founder and principal designer of Debbie Mathews.
While you don't have to do all of the steps above (baby steps!), the idea is to create a cozy, wood-appointed space that brings warmth and nature to the forefront of the room's design. Similar to infusing color, infusing wood is a bold, statement-making choice that anchors the rest of the interior design.
Jean M. Allsopp
Why wood soaking will be trendy in 2025
Much of the popularity of wood waterproofing is due to the natural evolution of trends: After years of cool neutrals saturating homes, warm and cozy tones have taken over, culminating in Pantone choosing Mocha Mousse as its 2025 Color of the Year .
Many people also care about the environment and strive to connect with it through conscious design choices.
“I think people want natural materials that help bring nature inside,” he says Liz Williams, founder and interior designer at Liz Williams Interiors. “Using recycled or responsibly sourced wood is environmentally friendly.”
Here's how to find out if you should try soaking wood in your home
Williams says saturating wood works with all types of design. If you like this model, you can definitely incorporate it into your home.
However, adding real wood walls, floors, or a beamed ceiling to your space is a costly and fairly permanent renovation. It's not ideal for renters or those on a tight budget – or those who want to regularly update their spaces with the latest trends.
If you're looking for smaller and simpler ways to try soaking wood, use removable wallpaper to create a wainscoting-like look, or rely on wooden furniture and details like large wooden bowls to create the same feeling of warmth, even without the price and the commitment.
Introducing wood paneling to your home (and modernizing it)
The last thing you need to do when renovating is to leave your home looking more dated than before. But when done right, wood can feel modern, whether you're working with existing pieces or incorporating new materials.
“With just a few simple tips, wood paneling can look current and modern,” says Mathews. “Many of us remember the dark paneling of the 1970s and I have advised many of my design clients to simply paint this paneling to make it brighter and more modern. But there are so many options when installing new paneling, including waxing and whitewashing, or bleaching, which gives it a light and fresh feel.
How (and where!) you place the wood can also dramatically affect the atmosphere in your room. Mathews suggests playing around with the width of the wood panels, installing them vertically or horizontally, or attaching them to the ceiling. She says she has installed wainscoting at wainscoting or shoulder height on several projects.
You can also modernize your wood-soaked space by using contrasting wood tones – although that sometimes comes with its own challenges.
“Blending different woods can be difficult, but when done carefully it can create a harmonious, layered look,” says Williams. “Look for a consistent undertone throughout, whether warm or cool. Balance lighter and darker woods so the tones don’t appear too coordinated.”