How to lighten up our dark, cheap, awful paneling on our walls?

We have wood paneling in the living room and it's painted in a very light color. We love the look.

Hi Lynn besides covering it up with another material about the only thing that can be done with dark wood paneling is to paint it. Fortunately, with a good primer and a few coats of paint it can come out light, bright and even resembling bead board!

you could white wash it which is a paint technique to brighten it up or paint it with whatever color you like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83dYmp0n42w

HOW TO BRIGHTEN UP DARK WOOD PANELING

https://todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-brighten-up-dark-wood-paneling/

Hello. We have a log cabin which the previous owners put up the inexpensive paneling over bedroom log walls and painted it for a room brightening affect. It’s certainly a fabulous room brightening accomplishment that it is very much appreciated. Our paneling grooves are not filled and I feel its a huge improvement.

Heres helpful links!

I hope this helps!

https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/painting-wood-paneling

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ifkbVlE9yyE#

What about white washing?

I painted my neighbor's for her since she hated how dark it made her living room. I used a Kitchen & Bath Semi-gloss that I added 1/2 baking soda too, to make it chalk paint. I first used a brush to paint the verticle grooves, and then rolled on over the wall board. I did not prime since the board was not porous and was in good shape, but if yours is porous I would use a primer like Zinseer first. Came out great and made a huge difference.

You could just paint it!!!

I would use chalk paint. I like the chalky finish paint by DecoArt. I've used it on several projects, such as painting my grandmother's old oak standing jewelry chest. The finish has been holding up quite well: https://momhomeguide.com/chalk-painted-jewelry-chest/

This is a helpful DIY video on how to paint paneling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTVPzQzwhDo

This is a good tutorial, too, even though they painted new paneling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evTaECtYa3s

You could paint it! We painted our paneling in our closet. https://www.aratariathome.com/blog/weekend-closet-makeover

Paint is the easiest way. Clean the paneling well and use a good stain-blocking primer first.

Here's a video that might help - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w4KE_dGzyQ

Paint it. Clean with tsp then prime and paint. I did that in my daughter’s room 20 years ago and it’s still great.

You can give it a good clean, prime it then paint it any color you’d like.

You can paint it or use a light colour contact paper.

I would use a paint to lighter the walls.

Hi! My best advice is painting them. A lighter, brighter color makes all the difference. Do a good prep, cleaning, lightly sanding them, prime first and then paint. I also filled the grooves with spackle. More work, but a nice outcome. Good luck and stay safe!

Hi Lynn, hope this helps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqF9u88R2nU

Clean well, prime and paint in the color of your choice.

Paint. I painted mine and am SO glad I did!!!! So open and clean looking!!!

1st time was white = cottage feel. Last time is very light blue/gray.

Paint it! Home and Garden DIY Ideas | Hometalk