Wood paneling walls! Ugh!
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My whole apartment is wood paneling walls. My landlord won't let me paint them. Is there anything I can do to brighten up the place that won't involve painting?
Buy a king size sheet(s) at the dollar store and hang them from the very top of the wall, near the ceilping, to act as a colorful backdrop! You can buy the plastic wall hooks that are removable, then usingto a very lightweight rod, or even a thin pvc pipe, thread it thru the hem of the sheets & hang it on the plastic hook, that ensures no nail holes to the wall. In place of sheets you could use long curtains, tablecloths, even fabric that you can create a pocket rod using iron on mending tape- good luck!!
target has peel and stick type wallpaper!! It's just like the words you can apply and reapply over and over again! I use them in every room of my rentals!
Large framed or hemmed wallhangings of fabric to match your room...includes quilts..ive done shower curtains wrapped around boxtop of wood or cardboard and hung like a picture. Cover as much of the panneling up as u can you ll hardly notice it.
What's the policy on hanging pictures? If they can't be nailed up, maybe you can use command strips. Create a gallery wall with several framed pictures. To liven up the place, I would use hanging plants (or plants in general). This also adds great color. Because the paneling is so dark, go for light furniture and accents, like curtains.
Lootywallah that wall by adding a large room divider decorated the way your like it and place it directly in front of the wall. Next for the areas around the divider. Hang some nice accent curtains on either side with a nice window scarf or valence above the divider for that vavoom to Voilà Panache! Now you have taken charge and forced that drab back wall to naturaly accent your decor!
I don't know if you want to do all the walls but some walls as accent walls. You can use fabric like wall paper. Soak fabric in liquid starch. Wring the starch out. Hang the fabric on the wall and use a damp sponge to smooth it out. It easily peels off and all you need is to wash the starch off.
This is a lot but I don't know, other than floor to ceiling sheers or curtains.
Thank you
I am a professional re-storer...mostly furniture. But, have you tried actually just giving these walls A GOOD BATH, using Murphy's Oil Soap.? I have had great luck in a small 'sitting room" that was so dreary.
I once lived in a basement apartment with paneling and ground level windows. I purchased yellow sheets and made curtains for the living room. It made the room look brighter and sunny. I also chose a darker floral for the kitchen window that did not have an attractive view. My daughter's room had a large pastel floral with a white background. I used a solid white for my room that had a patterned bedspread. I put in large ficus trees and other greenery to make it look alive. Light colored framed art work or photos helped. I made it livable if not my first choice of walls.