How to brighten up a dark colored wood paneled room?

Consider a white wash.

I'm assuming you don't want to replace or paint the wood panels. then your options are: one or more large mirrors, and/or large framed pictures, with light-coloured mats. Additional lighting, such as pot lights in the corners, which will illuminate them and the ceiling would help as well.

You can clean and paint it or you can add lighting to the room with lamps, up lights behind tables and furniture. Also, mirrors are great to make rooms look larger and lighter. Don't forget light colored throw pillows on chairs.

If it's real wood paneling I don't think I would want to paint it. I would just go with more lighting and bright colors.

I had the same problem... Horrible bungallow cheap dark paneling.

KNow what I did? Bought cedar closet panels...1 box at a time as money allowed...and using paneling nails....did my whole living room !! I get neverendeing kudos....and LOVE it....in fact..loved it so much? I did my entire house !! I have dogs...and let me tell you ..the wonderful smell of cedar is delightful...and..? If there's a smudge or spot where the dogs lean against a wall? I use a palm sander and VOILA !!! Gone ! And it refreshes the room :) Best money I ever spent...and now my house looks like a cool cabin ! And YES...I put these panels right over the dark paneling. Who's gonna know ??:)

Wallpaper or murals.

I put Paintable Wallpaper over mine, then painted it. Looks very nice.

Whitewashing, pickling or repainting with a light colored milk paint but letting the wood show through would work if you don't want to actually fully paint the wood.

You don't say if it's good walnut paneling or cheap paneling that was used everywhere years ago. If it's the cheap kind and you want to paint it, you can fill in the lines between the panels with spackling paste, let it dry then lightly sand and/or wipe down with a wet sponge until it's smooth.

Hi Wendy...Home Depot..I don't know if there are any in In...but google..maybe there is. Anyway..they come in a box that does a certain square footage. I have a tiny house...every time I had a few extra dollars I bought another box and just kept going. !