What to do with dark paneling?
by
Mary Verkest
+15
I have dark paneling in my basement and it makes the rooms look unwelcoming. I have seen some paneling painted over and it looked ugly. Any ideas of what to do or how to make it look more inviting without replacing it?
17 answers
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I've painted over dark wood paneling and found it tedious because it took 3 coats. I also put up wallpaper and liked that much better. Used old fashioned wheat paste and the paste actually filled the grooves on the paneling. When it was time to remove it, a spray bottle with a little fabric softener and water, and a scraper did the job very well.
Adrianne C
on Nov 21, 2014
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My husband did this years ago and I loved it. I don't recall that it was that much work and we used a light cream color. It wasn't real wood- cheap fake stuff someone had put up to hide damaged plaster in a house built in the 1890s.
Cwayne
on Nov 21, 2014
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We painted our dark paneling a soft yellow above, a cream color chair rail and darker yellow below. Yes...it took more than one coat but it so brightened up the area and wasn't that difficult to do!
Carol Butler
on Nov 21, 2014
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We had ours sprayed with spackling and finished in the same fashion as we would have with regular walls. Looks just like a finished wall. The only downside is that it's more difficult to nail pictures b/c of the paneling behind the spackling.
Jobobswife
on Nov 21, 2014
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If it good wood, I'd remove it and sell it. Then drywall. My opinion only unless the grooves are filled and sanded as a prep to painting, it will still look like painted panelling.
Marion Nesbitt
on Nov 21, 2014
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We have a double wide mobile home early 1970's,we painted every square inch of it . it was a dark ugly cheap paneling. We have had it 18years now and every so often I repaint. a room just as if I was in a stick built house.we cleaned the walls well with tsp,then kilz primer then a couple of coats of paint. If you don't like the grooves ,yes you can fill them in,or put a wallpaper up that gives you paintable surface. We don't mind the grooves ,our home is bright,and clean looking,and a couple of the bedrooms are pastel colors. Try it on at least one wall ,see if you like it. Believe me when you see the difference you will wonder why you haven't done it before now!
Bernice H
on Nov 21, 2014
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Ps,it is not much more work than painting an old wall that needs the same prep.
Bernice H
on Nov 21, 2014
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Fill the grooves with spackling , sand smooth, put up textured wall paper and paint. You can really add some character with the textured wall paper.
Susan
on Nov 22, 2014
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Historically, paneling was painted- beautiful colonial homes-and it's lovely. No need to fill the groves.
Cwayne
on Nov 22, 2014
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I would never fill the grooves; it really gives character to the walls when they are done. We also cleaned with TSP, then used a good quality primer, and then did ours in a pale yellow. It's so nice and bright and sets off all the furnishings, carpet, etc.
Pat Fenerty
on Nov 23, 2014
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Use a really good primer - you'll be soooo glad you did. Then choose your paint color and be prepared to apply up to 2 coats.
Nancy Wagers
on Nov 28, 2014
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I used to live in an old mobile home that was totally panelled. And I hated it. We painted the whole darn thing in a week, all the rooms were painted, and it looked really nice. It looked cabin like or beachy.
LeeAnn Gerleman
on Nov 28, 2014
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I have what looks like real wood, with knots, and imperfections (which I love) but with the grooves in between. I didn't want to do the paint over wood look, but it needed a makeover. I had some light beige paint left over from a previous project and measured out paint and thinned with a measured amount of water. It gave a wash look, allowing the personality of the imperfections of the wood to come through. The decor of the room will dictate how the walls look. ie: shabby chic, rustic, etc.
Cher Kalil
on Dec 05, 2014
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It's been many years since doing anything with wallpaper. However, I do remember there is a wallpaper that is specifically made for covering paneling. It hides the grooves, and they also come with recurring designs, like regular wallpaper, and it paintable. I remember my mothers friend did that in her kitchen. You'd never know there was paneling under it. Just another option!
Cher Kalil
on Dec 05, 2014
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I live in a mobile home with paneling and what I did to bring color to the room is wall paper one wall with paintable wall paper so you can choose the color for the room, what a difference it will make in your room.
Shi2741325
on Oct 25, 2015
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Thank you I think this is the best solution for me.
Mary Verkest
on Nov 12, 2015
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I painted a wall of dark paneling in a store I was leasing space in! I used this back wall for a " toy department" section of the store! I painted the strips of the dark paneling that was already there with bright blue, red, green, orange and yellow! It came out great! The customers love it too! ...Cathy Chandler...Dedham, Maine
Cathy Chandler
on Jan 26, 2016
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