Panelling behind the bed sounds easy enough… until you’re standing there with a tape measure, staring at the wall as it owes you an answer. Should it stop at 1.2 metres? Climb halfway up? Go all the way to the ceiling and make a grand entrance? Suddenly, this “simple bedroom upgrade” has opinions.

The truth is, there isn’t one magic height that works for every bedroom. The best panelling height depends on your ceiling, your bed size, your room shape, and the mood you’re going for. A cosy cottage-style room might love half-height panelling, while a modern master bedroom may be begging for a full-height feature wall.

So in this guide, we’ll walk through the best standard heights, when to choose half-height, three-quarter, or full-wall panelling, and what works best for small rooms, low ceilings, and statement headboard walls.

We’ll also cover the little mistakes worth avoiding before you start cutting, ordering, or proudly holding a panel against the wall.