Real Estate Agents Agree: Every Home Buyer Wants This Vintage Home Feature in 2026

Wood paneling is a hot commodity these days, real estate agents say. Though it may seem like a vintage feature, it’s appealing for a whole slew of reasons, which pros will get into in further detail below. Overall, retro features are coming back in a big way—the experts we spoke with cite a few other elements that buyers are absolutely raving about as of late.

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Why Buyers Love Wood Paneling

Real estate agents cite a number of reasons as to why buyers are saying yes to wood paneling in 2025 and as we move into 2026.

“Buyers are loving it for the warmth, character, and depth it brings to a space,” says Taylor Lucyk, the owner of The Taylor Lucyk Group. But that’s not all.

“People love the idea of ‘letting the outside in,’ and natural wood tones like walnut, cedar and smoked oak do that beautifully,” says Tamara Mattox-Kabat, a real estate agent at Redfin Powered by Rocket. “These shades add depth and a sense of richness into the space.”

Designers say the architectural interest that wood paneling provides is unmatched.

“Natural grain, texture and a pattern of wood add depth to a space which would otherwise feel flat,” says David A. Palmieri, a licensed associate real estate broker with Corcoran. “It can make a space feel more formal or even historic.”

Finally, wood paneling brings a sense of permanence to any space.

“Paint colors or wallpapers come and go as trends,” Palmieri says. “Classic wood paneling styles have a timeless quality that suggests durability and an enduring style. Buyers love when a home has a storied past.”

Types of Wood Paneling Buyers Love

There are many different types of wood paneling to consider. What you will come across all depends on the style of the home. For example, Lucyk explains, paneled accent walls are popular in new builds.

“They instantly make a room feel more inviting and thoughtfully designed,” he says.

Thin, fluted half-wall panels are having a moment, he says, while other designers say vertical paneling is another go-to choice for many.

“It draws the eye upward and makes a room feel taller and more refined, and it adds character and visual interest without overwhelming the space,” Mattox-Kabat says.

Another popular approach the agent has noticed is people repurposing their paneling into cabinetry and shelving.

“Instead of a simple accent wall, they are adding bookshelves and storage so that the feature feels both functional and beautiful,” she says.

Shiplap is indeed a type of wood paneling but is on its way out of style, Lucyk shares. Rather than being used on accent walls, shiplap is currently more common in mudrooms, he adds.

“Buyers are gravitating toward more refined and modern takes on wall treatments, making shiplap feel a bit outdated,” Lucyk says.

That said, some people who have shiplap in their homes are choosing to simply refurbish it a bit. As Mattox-Kabat explains, many people are opting to say goodbye to the modern farmhouse look and strip the paint off of their shiplap in order to let the natural wood underneath shine.

“They still get the texture and charm, but with a softer, more elevated feel that fits today’s popular Wabi Sabi and natural-modern styles,” she says.

Other Retro Home Features Buyers Love

• Wooden features: These include exposed beams, fluted wood details, and original hardwood floors, all of which appeal to today’s buyers.
• Built-in dining nooks. “They open up the floor plan while still creating a cozy gathering space,” says Mattox-Kabat, who has seen these re-emerge as popular features as buyers are less drawn to formal dining spaces.
• Vintage-inspired pendant lighting. This is another retro feature that Mattox-Kabat sees buyers appreciate, noting that people are especially drawn to fixtures with natural elements.
• Dark wooden cabinetry in the kitchen. The ’90s are back! “Buyers are embracing honey oak, walnut and other warm wood tones,” Mattox-Kabat says.
• Open shelving. This isn’t always popular, but it’s having a moment right now, Mattox-Kabat notes, explaining that people are loving it for displaying special decorative items.
• Roman plaster. Just as buyers appreciate the historic touch wood paneling adds to a home, they feel similarly about what Roman plaster has to offer, Palmieri explains. “It adds texture, depth, and an artisanal, handcrafted look,” he says. “This is a reaction against the flat, modern feel.”