Dark paneled walls

You CAN paint paneling, we did! First caulk the cracks , then paint with aroma free Kilz primer, then paint how you want! It is easy!

try really scrubbing them with Murphy's oil soap. to lighten them of years of wall dirt

Hello. Here is an online guide to painting your paneling. Click on the link below and scroll through the instructions. A list of materials is provided as well as step-by-step instructions. Good luck!

http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/decorative-paint-techniques-wall-preparation-instructions

Is the reason you can’t paint or remove due to your home being a rental and your landlord won’t allow any changes? If that’s the case, you don’t have many options left. Only thing I can think of is either some 2 sided tape or Velcro and use it to stick another 1/4”plywood panel to your existing walls. That you could texture and paint to look like a textured Sheetrock wall! Then it be easily removed if you leave the home and move elsewhere! Other then that hanging a fabric may be your only other choice?

You could tack something up on the top of the walls, like a quilt, or a sheet to lighten up the room and remove it when you need to move or whatever. Small finishing nails or strong tacks would work without damaging the walls to noticeably.

I would distract the eye with a large tapestry or paintings that pop against that dark background. You could frame a pretty sheet, shower curtain or fabric for the look you want.

Obviously you're a renter. What you can do is soak fabric in liquid starch. wring it out and hang it like wallpaper. It will peel off without damaging the paneling. All you need to do is wash the paneling down from the starch residue.

You can look into Peel & Stick removable wall paper. If you have to do the entire room, this could get pricey. This wall paper can be repositioned, removed and even reused without leaving any residue! It would be great to use for an accent wall to brighten your space and this is where I've seen this product used the most. I bet you could find a nice one for an accent wall to compliment the panelling as they come in an array of styles and colours. Or do the whole room. I guess it depends just how crazy the panelling drives you!

I painted over the wood with Kilz. You can buy it anywhere, Lowes, Home Depot, etc.

The results were absolute amazing! I painted over the Kilz using a white but I'm sure you can use any color you want. The difference in my room was awesome!

I painted my dark paneling white without using any Kilz or

anything else; I*ve had it up for 12 years now;

and love it.

It certainly has improved the light in the room.

Diane

Check on line for peel and stick sheets that come in many themed wall back drops

my daughter n law just put up a peel & stick removable wood wall paper they had many varieties it was so easy ... completely transformed room. She only did one wall and she painted others with the lightest color in the wood wallpaper which she had color matched at hardware store. I’ll see if I can post a picture. I’ve also seen where contact paper has been used on paneled walls & you can find online a lot cheaper than the peel & stick wallpaper & looks almost exactly same as peel and stick. But clean walls very well first making sure to rinse cleaner residue off to. Or paper will lift. Good Luck...