What can I do with this ceiling?

The old, quality paneling came from my husband's great aunt's house, which is slated to be destroyed. What can I do with the plain, boring sheetrock ceiling to complement the walls, yet not darken the room any more? Oh, and the door needs something, too. It's the same white as the ceiling.

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Living room wall and ceiling

77 Comments Displaying 25 of 77 comments | See Previous

Cathy West Haven, CT

i would paint the ceiling a nice earthy color

on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 0
Mary Rushing

knotty pine is great, it you are re-installing you might want to consider sanding it down and try a litle finish, will brighten it up and not look so out of date. I've also seen it treated with a oil based paint, the color that was used was a moss green. The home owners had a beam & wood slate cealing. Try several things on one board before you do all of them.

on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 1
Chris H

Tint the color of the ceiling to bring out the yellows of the wood. place a picture rail along the top and hang art and photos from it. Use controled light or up light in the room. carefull on the furniture and you should have a good space to be in.
A bar can work wonders

on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 1
Diane Paul Emmaus, PA

Ever thought of putting up open beams? They can be made with boards and stained to look like real beams. Narrow crown molding could be put between the top of the wall and the ceiling, too.

on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 0
Gabriele Sovers Redmond, WA

The paneling needs to go, it darkens the room too much and it's boring. I just can't stand paneling at all. Panint the ceiling a very subtle creamy yellow it will brighten the room and then put accent colors on the furniture ie, pillows, throws. And colorvul pictures on the wall.

on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 0
Kyria B Carthage, TX

Wow, I typed a long reply and now I don't see it. Rats. Thank you all for your advice! My hubby and I will take it all into consideration and I'll try to share what we end up doing.
It is a bit dark, but I don't want to paint it. However, I might sand it down and give it a lighter finish. The l.r. is open to the kitchen and a redwood beam is going up with cedar posts.

on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 0
Kyria B Carthage, TX

Kathleen M, yes, I'd like to see a picture.

on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 0
Mary Jeanne Botteon Severn, MD

Instead of crown molding try a cove molding and then paint the ceiling and door a warm cream color.

on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 0
Trish F Kansas City, MO

you could use dry wall compound in the groves of the paneling and paint the paneling - easy breezy

on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 0
Lana Growe

There are faux Beams available. Very light weight. Put the beams across your ceiling to pick up the wood, but leave the white for the light. I think the paneling is beautiful. Cream paint as mentioned above would also be nice.

on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 0
Creatively Living Richland, WA

I would paint the paneling. Painted paneling looks great! Dark wood paneling is somewhat dated.
If you are someone that loves a dark wood paneling, then I would paint the ceiling a earthy shade of green (a very light green) to compliment the reds in the wood.

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 1
Lois R Monroe, LA

you could always go to a salvage yard and find some old ceiling tin. that would look great with the paneling.

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 1
Jeanette S Atlanta, GA

While I am not big on paneling, some people love wood. I love painted furniture, but I am most reluctant to paint over good wood pieces and cringe when I see this done. I love dark mahogany! It's like I love white cabinets, but I do not want to live with them. So if the paneling is for you, keep it. Pick a light, almost white green with very little yellow to it. Then put about a 2" stirp of flat molding on the ceiling about 1 foot from the edge of the walls. Paint the 1' section and molding white and the center a lighter green.

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 1
Vivian S Harper Woods, MI

I love the warmth of wood. This paneling is beautiful. You didn't mention what room this is. That might affect your decision. I considered suggesting painted wallpaper that is embossed to look like tin. I think that type of paper has a name but I'm not sure what it is called. The only problem with that, or a tin ceiling, is that it would make the room real busy. Be sure to look at pics of faux beams. The effect is lovely but it may make the room look like a "club room" and rustic. Is the paneling on all 4 walls or only on one?

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

@ carnell...here is an article I wrote on removing popcorn ceilings
http://www.networx.com/article/the-mostly-pa...

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 0
Kyria B Carthage, TX

Diane H commented that it is not actually paneling, but 1X8 tongue and groove boards. She is absolutely right. Quality wood, not cheap stuff. Definitely worth saving, which is why we took it from a falling-down house and put it in ours.
I'm not painting over it, but I will try to re-finish it in a lighter shade. I can't wait to go shopping and see all the crown molding possibilities! ...»

Vivian S, it's in my living room, on 3 walls. The 4th wall was removed to open it up to the kitchen.
Thank you all for your input!

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 0
Di S Carlisle, PA

paint the ceiling a cream color. then take 1 x 4 x 8 pine boards and stain them as close as you can to the color of the walls and attach them to the ceiling every 2' to look like support boards.

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 1
Jan P Windsor, CT

Save the wood finish - and I too think a tin ceiling would be awesome!!

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 0
Linda W Visalia, CA

Add ceiling beams that look like logs that match the walls. I grew up in a log cabin with walls of knotty pine like that. Beautiful!

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 0
Kathleen M Ocean Gate, NJ

My living room ceiling. These strips of wood are about 1/8" thick, and about 1 1/2" wide.
- 1
on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 1
JANICE cURRAN Columbia, MO

PAINT THE WALLS..BEEN THERE AND IT CAME OUT CUTE....

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 1
Carrie W Sterling, MA

Paint the ceiling with a view of the sky

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 0
Carol S Greenville, RI

Another option would be to wash the darkened knotty pine panels with a 1/2&1/2 solution of lineseed oil and turpentine. (Good ventilation, gloves and lots of rags required.) My sister inlaw did her cabinets years ago and what a difference.
Brighten up the room with art deco mirrors - placed to strategically capture and reflect the daylight. The ceiling needs to be done with a semi- gloss or satin. A pale tan or faint yellow tint should do the trick.

on Aug 02, 2012 · Like 1
Michelle M

A varnish with a satin finish will soften it up too!

on Sep 20, 2012 · Like 0
Kyria B Carthage, TX

Boy, I have a lot of choices! Thanks to all!

on Sep 20, 2012 · Like 0