Should cedar wood paneling be painted in my antique farmhouse

Why would you want to paint old paneling such as cedar? If it's in good condition, try to live with it. I'll bet it is beautiful.

My dear young friend has left hers natural in a house from the fifties in the the basement family room. The previous owner was a heavy smoker. It is dark and stained from the smoke. I have encouraged her to paint it as it does not look new, fresh or modern. And I think its unsanitary. I would say it depends on the condition of the panelling and whether it can be cleaned and whether you want a dark room.

If the cedar is salvageable, I would not paint it , that wood is valuable. I would lightly sand it and seal it. If you really want paint, carefully remove the wood and replace it with wallboard. Then sell the wood. Cedar also repels insects. That's why it's used in hope chests.

The house ie 150 years old - I'd try to keep it as true to it's history as possible. Houses that age are becoming rare.

When I have had decisions like this to make, it had been ingrained in my head NOT to paint...BUT, at the end of the day...it is only wood...you can’t take it with you. I would first a good wood cleaner...ask at a paint store what to use. If you still don’t like the look, have the paint store recommend what paint would work best!