I see what you mean. Might be a good idea to procure a used panel from a salvage to practice on.

 

I used katzskin on mine check it out in my gallery did the whole car to match love the results similar to the white & black SS look.
jeff

 

a good interior trim guy, worth the time and money!!

 

Maybe do something like this...

 

or this

 

Them are some cool interiors not wild,classy and very clean looking,I have a few dodge cars and thought interior was cheap we bought a 2012 malibu oh my very very cheap although its a ls cheap model,couldn't understand why so cheap(door panels)although very nice car.
I have the ss model hhr,I'm thinking it better then other models,it doesn't take much to make these things better most expensive for interiors are real seat covers.think kits start at 7 to 800.Door panels need little work not much to complain about.
Do some research like these fellows did a great job,make it you own with ideas.

 

Like the red and gray intereior.

 

Nice leather upgrades on the door panels. Anyone do the dashboard?
Chevy should've offered an upgrade package to spruce up the cheap plastic interior. It's the only downside to the car IMO.