What to do with dark paneling in our rental home
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We just moved into this country rental home and are looking for ideas to brighten up the rooms. There is dark paneling in the kitchen. hallway, dining room and living room. There's no drywall behind any of it so can't just pull it down and use the walls as a blank canvas. The kitchen cabinets are wood and we are going to paint them white to start with then decide where we want to go from there. My thought with the paneling was to use the stripes in the paneling to paint different colors- maybe a couple lighter colors....? If I go that way, wondering if I should keep any of the dark strips alone- maybe the more narrow strips. Would love ideas since I'm not good at visualizing the finished product here. The landlord is open to us doing whatever we want to do-- said it's our house !! Flooring is laminate throughout the house, btw. Ceilings are popcorned, Moulding is dark brown as well. Thanks for the advice!
12 answers
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Posting a picture for home talkers would be best
Janet Pizaro
on Sep 26, 2016
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We did two different treatments to the paneling in our home. One we painted it a light gray color and did the trim in white. The other treatment we used, was joint compound on the walls. We spread a thin coat and it left it with a stucco type of finish and painted it. You can however just use the joint compound in the paneling ridges. If you do the different stripes you will have different widths, if that doesn't bother you, I think it would be nice idea.
Michelle
on Sep 26, 2016
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I agree with Michelle 1001%. Make sure you get the landlord's permission in writing. I have seen many renters lose their deposits and pay for "damages" the landlord "never" agreed to verbally. As a flipper and landlord, I get everything in writing so there is no confusion in the future.
William
on Sep 26, 2016
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You can get a pack of 25-50 colors of construction paper for a few bucks and test out the colors first taping up different stips of colors and find the color s you like most, then with paint sample cards narrow down to the exact shade you want.
Johnchip
on Sep 26, 2016
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The home improvement centers sell wallpaper that is used to apply over paneling. It comes with different designs & made for using as is or painting. I used it in a bath, bedroom & den that had paneling & painted the colors I wanted. Just make sure the paneling underneath is VERY secure because as this thick paper dries, it can pull the paneling a bit. And yes, get approval from your landlord first even though this is an improvement.
Carole
on Sep 27, 2016
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I purchased a cream paint and one of those sponges that are full of holes and stippled the complete basement walls. I did not have the problems of the seams or nail marks because of the holey sponge. You can cover it very heavy or lightly. For corners, you can take another sponge to cut at an angle and do corners or just adlib corners. Love what it looks like now. I did mine several years ago and still love it.
Shirley
on Sep 27, 2016
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Hi. We had the same issue and resolved it a couple of different ways. Pop off the strips that hide the panel seams and use a belt sander to rough up the wall. You can get wallpaper liner (It's thicker stuff) and apply like wallpaper then you can paint it or wallpaper it. OR there is textured paint (It's also thick to hide the little individual seams) you can tint and put on with a trowel directly to the sanded surface. We had fun doing designs with the trowel's teeth side and even used a wide toothed comb for a design when applying the textured paint. Have painted over these walls numerous times since we did it and it has held up well over the years.
Debi
on Sep 27, 2016
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Yes get landlords permission. I'd be very unhappy if anyone did that to my paneling
Ronna Myers Hayward
on Sep 27, 2016
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We painted our paneling (primer first) and it turned out great! The seams of the paneling make it a farmhouse, country look and I love it!
Cindy Hagemann
on Sep 27, 2016
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Definitely paint the paneling just one color per room. If you do stripes like you are talking about, it will look like a circus tent. It will be a lot more work and I really think you will not be happy with it. Use liquid sandpaper to prep the walls. Use high quality primer--this is really important. Then two coats of of eggshell finish paint. Regardless of the color you choose for your walls, paint your trim a crisp white. Painted paneling is really pretty. If you are trying to lighten up your house, you don't have to go just cream or white, a very soft gray or aqua will also be beautiful. Use a thicker nap roller to help get in the seams and use a brush for any places that the roller misses.
Debi53
on Sep 27, 2016
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If it is permitted by the landlord, (1) add a chair rail and paint the top a light color and the bottom 2 shades darker. Paint the chair rail an off white. A bulky chair rail (easier than installing crown molding) could be added around the top and painted the same color as the chair rail. Be sure to clean the paneling with TSP, lightly sand, prime, and then paint, using a brush for the grooves and a low nap or sponge roller (for less texture) on the flat part. Oh, and if there is baseboard, paint that to match the chair rail. If you are extremely careful with your edging (use the green Frog tape, no seeping under the tape, if you burnish it with your nails at the edges, or use a small putty knife), you will ad value to the property, and you may score a discount on your rent for the month! (Don't do anything funky, as it is not good for future renters. Make it your own by what you hang on the walls.)
Roberta
on Sep 27, 2016
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Paint white or nice color of your choice. Fill in the grooves with spackle and smooth...then wallpaper is another choice. Paint and stencil on top is another...whatever you choose to do will be an improvement! Hugs
Sandy Hartnett
on Oct 01, 2016
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