Q: I recently saw a hardwood installation on a wall and loved it. Can this be done in our home? Where would be an ideal place to do this?

A: Creative designers have figured out a way to put a new spin on hardwood flooring. If the correct preparations are made, hardwood flooring can be installed as a wall treatment in any room you choose. Wood wall treatments having been growing in popularity as of late because of the material’s ability to bring a natural yet cozy feeling in any room. If your interest is piqued, here’s how hardwood installations are done.

To install hardwood flooring on a wall, you must go through the same preparation process as if you were installing it on the floor. You will need a solid surface to support the wood planks.. Make sure the vertical studs are not warped; otherwise the boards will be uneven and the finished product will probably not look so great. After you have made these preparations, you will follow the same steps to secure the boards that you would if you were installing the hardwood on the floor.

When selecting the wood for your new hardwood installation, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Design: You can use hardwood installations for all of the walls in a room, or install it on a single accent wall.

Direction: Most vintage paneling designs were hung vertically, but today you are more likely to see horizontal wood designs. You could even experiment with diagonal or patterned positioning.

Plank Size: The width of the hardwood planks can make a huge impact on the overall look of the installation. Wide planks can make the room appear larger, while narrower planks can create a delicate, intricate look.

Color: The look of your wall treatments will be impacted by the style and color of wood you select. You can also paint or stain the wood for additional design avenues. Using wood is an excellent way to simultaneously add color and texture to your walls.