Staircase Wall Panelling

Shaker, wainscoting and contemporary staircase panelling. MDF kits with dado rail and skirting included. Panels cut to the angle of your stairs. UK delivery, samples available.

The staircase is one of the most impactful areas to panel in the home — visible from the hallway, the living room and the landing, it sets the tone for the whole interior scheme and is one of the first things visitors notice.

Our staircase panelling collection covers every style from classic shaker and wainscoting through to contemporary fluted and slatted profiles. All panels are primed and ready to paint, and our staircase-specific products are designed to be cut to the exact angle of your stairs for a seamless, continuous run up the stairwell.

Styles for staircase panelling:

  • Shaker wall panels — the most popular choice for staircases, clean recessed frames that work with any colour scheme
  • Wainscoting panels — traditional lower-wall panelling, including our staircase-specific 1215 × 606mm MDF tongue and groove panel designed to flow up stairwells
  • MDF Wainscoting Kits — complete staircase kits including panels, dado rail and skirting, primed and ready to paint
  • Fluted & slatted panels — contemporary linear profiles for a more modern staircase feature wall
  • Flexible wall panels — bendable profiles for curved stairwells and landings

Staircase panelling tips:

  • Run a dado rail at a consistent height across both the straight walls and the angled stairwell sections for the most polished result
  • Our wall moulding No. 4025 is particularly well suited to staircase installations — easy to mitre to the angle of your stairs
  • For a two-tone effect, paint the panelled section a deeper shade and the wall above lighter — particularly effective on staircases where the eye travels upward
  • Pair with matching hallway panelling for a continuous scheme from front door to landing

All panels arrive primed white and ready to paint. For the most durable finish in a high-traffic staircase area we recommend Mylands Wood & Metal Paint — scrubbable and available in a wide range of colours.

Order a sample before committing to a full staircase. Trade accounts welcome — contact us for specification support and volume pricing.

top tip

Dress up your stairwalls

Elevate your home's aesthetic with captivating stair panelling ideas that offer both style and practicality. Transform your stairwalls into stunning focal points with versatile panelling options that suit various house styles, be it traditional, modern, or cottage-inspired.

Not only does panelling for stairs enhance the visual appeal of your staircase area, but it also serves a practical purpose like hallway panelling. Shield your walls from potential bumps and scuffs, making it an ideal finish for bustling family homes. Embrace the convenience of easy maintenance with the right paint finish, as it allows you to effortlessly wipe away any marks, keeping your stair panelling looking immaculate at all times. Discover the perfect blend of beauty and functionality with stair panelling ideas, designed to enhance the charm of your home while serving as a durable and low-maintenance solution.

66 products

Tips for a beautiful stairway

Combine Traditional and Modern

Stair paneling ideas that are traditional either because they are original features of an older home or have authentic period style can be successfully teamed with more contemporary choices.
On the subject of woodwork, when painting your front door, remember that it doesn't have to be the same colour on both sides. If a bright exterior is more your style, but you want to keep the hallway neutral and fresh, then this can be a great design idea.

This style can easily be achieved by wall mouldings, allowing you to cut the exact shape and height needed for your space.

Shiplap

This style began showing up in our interiors more recently with an original rustic and nautical charm – and the style took off! Shiplap was being installed horizontally, leading the eye around the room and adding a sense of internal space. By contrast, a vertical hang draws the eye upwards, emphasising the height of a room, making it feel taller, so it depends on your desired effect. This once purely functional application was now offering a super stylish, Hamptons-style, beach hut effect, reminiscent of holidays and bright, airy seaside homes.

If you would like to read more about Shiplap panelling check out our blog.

Add texture

You might opt for stair paneling rather than wallpaper to bring texture to a wall. Wall panelling can add depth to stairways, and dresses up anyspace. This panelling is great for any one who wants a tradtional look with a modern twist. You can also get creative with your wall panelling and add some colour to them.

On stairs, panelling is a great idea because it’s wipeable and easy to clean, which is great for a space in your house that receives a lot of traffic. 

Complete the Look

Pair your panelling with a considered paint finish. Our Metallic Paint Collection offers gold and bronze accents by Mylands — a striking choice for a stairwell that's one of the first things visitors see.
Shop the Metallic Paint Collection

Why add wall panelling to your stairway?

The staircase is visible from the hallway, the landing and often the living room too, so it sets the tone for the whole interior scheme. Two styles work particularly well here: Shaker panelling for a clean, classic look, or Tongue & Groove for a more traditional feel. Both hold up well in this high-traffic transitional space.

How do I do wainscoting up a staircase?

Our staircase-specific panels and mouldings can be cut and mitred to follow the angle of your stairs, so the panelling runs continuously from the ground floor up to the landing. Wall moulding No. 4025 is particularly well suited to this, as its profile can be mitred to match the incline. Since no two staircases are quite the same height or pitch, panels are made to your measurements rather than a fixed size.

Product Gallery

There's a reason you see staircase panelling often used in homes. Yes, wall panels are a brilliant way to add character and charm to a space but, ultimately, it's a practical decision. 

Whether stained or painted timber, or a more modern composite material, staircase paneling will protect your walls from the wear and tear of this high-traffic area, ensuring these transitional spaces endure for longer.