When redecorating, what can be done with wood paneling?

Question

My family is looking for a house and it seems lots in our area have rooms with wood paneling. I hate it. What can be done to get rid of it/ change it/ improve it without spending a ton of money?

Answer 1

remove it!

Answer 2

You didn't say how old the house was, but if it's an older home with the original paneling, you have the "real deal" and I would suggest that you keep the paneling and just prime it with two coats of Kilz or Zinser primer and then paint it with the color of your choice. You really don't need to buy varnish etc. because the two primers I've mentioned are quite good, plus it's difficult for paint to adhere to varnish. If the paneling has quite a bit of shine to it, you might want to rough it up and bit with some sandpaper so it will give the primer a bit of "tooth" (don't go crazy sanding, just take a bit of shine off) As others have pointed out, you don't know what is under the walls (there was NOTHING behind my interior wall paneling) if you get rid of it and paneling becomes fashionable again, it will be quite spendy to replace it. If it's real wood paneling and you get tired of it being painted, you can always strip it back to the way it was. As for decorating, I would do an internet search for galleries in a style that you like: shabby chic, traditional, victorian, mission etc and see if the pictures inspire you, or put in a search for paint, paint sites have many gallery pictures and list the used colors for you.

Answer 3

Easy. If you can't (or don't want to) remove it, just primer it (very important) and then paint it a nice light, neutral color. It will instantly give the room a nice, cottage or beacy feel depending on the decor.

Primer is very important though. You must primer wood paneling first. Designed to Sell showed a great example of what primering and painting paneling will do. I believe that show is on TLC. So I would go to www.tlc.com and see if you can find that show's page and they'll probably provide instructions/advice.

You do need to get seam repair if the paneling is seperating from the sheetrock in some places.

Answer 4

If it is the imitation panelling that was big in the 70's, I've had great results by painting it. The technique is pretty simple: Use a brush to apply paint around the edge of the wall and inside the grooves, then use a roller to get the rest. You may want to use sandpaper all over the surface first to help with adhesion, and use 2 coats of primer before the paint.

I've also heard of people using wood putty and a putty knife to fill in the grooves before painting, to achieve a smooth surface.

Good luck!

Answer 5

You can freshen up the look of old wooden paneling by removing the stain, and replacing with a coat of paint. Add some large accents to the walls to draw attention away from the paneling you dislike. you can look into the prospect of removing the paneling, but it sounds like this will be out of your budget at this time. The walls underneath the paneling may or may not need heavy rehab themselves if you go this route. There may also be alternate wall coverings you can put up to cover over the ridges of the paneling.

Answer 6

Paint it! I have a family room with cream colored paneling that looks really nice; it was like that when I moved in and I am thankful that it was done. I know it takes a special procedure, but you can find out at the paint store. You can also dry wall over it, I've heard.

Answer 7

In our master bathroom, there was really dark wood paneling. I sanded down the paneling and painted. Then we added trim vertically in the paneling seams - every fourth or fifth seam. The effect was great. We went with white paint and black trim. I did not have to prime the walls after sanding them first.

Answer 8

There are products--light-weight spackling--you can put in the up and down indentations. Use a 3-4 inch putty knife to apply. Check in hardwares or Lowes. Then use primer paint for first coat of paint, then regular paint-color of choice or wall paper. Good luck.

Answer 9

I have painted over paneling many times. If you wash the paneling first with TSP (Tri-sodium-phoshpate, found at Lowe's) then use a good primer like KILZ water based primer. You can then paint. I have painted it to look like marble...even to look like vintage wallpaper! With paint the possibilities are endless! Plus, if you get sick of it...you can paint over it! Unlike wallpaper and having to strip it! What a mess!

Answer 10

You can paint it. It sounds horible, but paint goes on nicely, and you can still see the woodgrain through it. I did a dining room with cheap paneling on the lower half painted a nice blue, and textured wallpaper above, with a chair rail to divide the two. Pick up the bottom color by using it on fan blades, light switches and molding, and it ties the room together.

Answer 11

You can fill in the indentations with plaster, then sand and paint. It isn't expensive, but labor intensive! I would suggest removing it, but you might find the walls under it more uneven and damamged than you would want to correct!