Most people buy wood lattice panels for garden trellises, privacy screens or fence projects. interior designer @eanesinteriors A different idea was to cover the entire living room ceiling with inexpensive outdoor materials instead.
After accessorizing, painting and installing panels overhead, the plain ceiling became one of the room’s most noticeable design features, prompting thousands of online reactions.
Garden fence panels became an unexpected roofing material
Instead of buying traditional roofing materials, Shelby Innes chose pressed wood lattice panels from the garden department. Commonly used for fences, decks and climbing plants, the panels became the foundation for geometric ceiling treatments that completely transformed a room.
Complete panels were laid before cutting
Several mesh panels were laid out on the floor to determine the final layout before a cut was made. Measuring each section first helped align the diamond pattern once the individual pieces were installed overhead.
Mesh was trimmed for a custom fit
Straight guides mark the cut lines before a table saw removes excess material around the edges. Trimming each panel allows the finished installation to fit snugly between the room’s walls and exposed ceiling beams.
Dark paint changed the outdoor look
Before installation, each panel received a dark brown finish that made the lattice look like decorative millwork rather than a forced fence. The dark color also creates a strong contrast against the white ceiling above it.
Roof installation took two people
Large mesh panels are light but awkward to position overhead, so two people worked together to lift, align and attach each section. Once the first panel was secured, the remaining pieces continued the repeating grid across the roof.
The ceiling became the main design feature of the room
The finished mesh creates depth and texture throughout the ceiling while allowing the original white surface to remain visible through each opening. What began as a material intended for outdoor fencing now functions as a decorative architectural feature indoors.
Reactions to the finished look were divided
The project quickly sparked an online debate. Some viewers praised the creativity and custom look, while others compared it to the ceilings seen in Italian-themed restaurants during the 1990s. Whether people like it or not, the project proved that inexpensive backyard materials can completely change the look of a room.
Will you install the garden netting on the roof, or will you keep it outside where it was originally intended?
All image credits go to the Instagram creator @eanesinteriors.
