Bring a lighter shade of your kitchen color into the living room. Use one color throughout and into that dark hallway. Good luck!

I like the paneling, just the way it is. If I may, can you switch the sectional and put it on the wall opposite the window? Put the white sofa table under the window; the chair and ottoman to the left of the fireplace with a floor lamp; a mirror over the fireplace; take those pictures down from the wall; and if you do not need that fan replace it with a semi-flush ceiling light.

Hi Lynn, I think to start with, I would go with all one color. The great thing about paint is that it's relatively cheap if you want to change it later.

Your walls remind me of these. I think they would look gorgeous.

Hi Lynn,

What pretty paneling! I would agree to make it all one color. If you're looking for a creamy white, may I suggest Benjamin Moore White Dove or Navajo White? The Navajo is a little bit more of a yellow undertone, and the Dove is a little more of a grey undertone. Both will go beautifully with your fireplace brick.

Good luck! I'd love to see pictures of the "after"!

Charlotte

I agree with the all one color. If this were a huge room then the recessed panels a different color would look wonderful but in this case I believe it would look complicated. Look for a complex white if you choose white, something with gold undertones - so it looks rich. The shadows created by the recessed panels will will look wonderful! Since you are painting over wood you could use a bit of sheen, a satin or an egg shell. Once you are finished you could hang paintings or fabric stretched on canvas in some of the recesses for a decorative effect and to show off your walls! Looks like a fun project.

Hello-I think painting the paneling off-white and wallpapering the recessed areas would look very nice. Can you rearrange your sectional so that it faces the window? Would you be opposed to slipcovering it in a cream? Change the burgundy lamp shades to an off-white. Lean art on fireplace mantel. Stationary fabric panels hung at outside of window trim and a different light fixture overhead... Good Luck! [houzz=][houzz=]

I would go with a single color, an off white that you find appealing. If you feel the need to highlight the sections, you might try adding a light to medium glaze after the paneling is painted. Done properly, this could be a very rich look.

If you are painting the paneling, be sure to prime with a good primer--Bin will work. Then use a paint that isn't water-based. Otherwise you will quickly notice that the paint easily comes off--also, use TSP to wash the paneling before putting a primer on. Good luck.

Yes, paint it beige or white in a semi gloss paint.

Hi Lynn, we have painted many paneled rooms. Here is my advice:

One color; the profile and panels will cast light and make some surfaces appear different color.

Sheen..Is the paneling yellow birch? I recommend satin or lower; the higher the sheen the more the surface imperfections and unevenness will show; your current substrate would require significant work to be showroom quality enamel work. Recently in House Beautiful and Architectural digest you may have noticed walls painted with high gloss paint with Fine Paints of Europe oil Hollandlac; these spaces are very labor intensive to get the walls ready for this level of sheen. In New York my friend and fellow Certified FPoE contractors paints these perfect rooms in gloss paint; individual rooms can cost over $10,000.

Products I use and recommend
Benjamin Moore Satin impervo
Pratt & Lambert Cellu-tone
Fine Paints of Europe Hollandlac satin

Colors:
Benjamin Moore Cloud White (see in our picture)
C2 wedding cake
F&B Farrows Cream (you may need to change light bulbs so this color is not too yellow)

The paneling is beautiful.

Wood will last a lifetime with proper care.
Your paneling would be very costly in material and labor to duplicate today.

Visit the lighting department for innovative and creative techniques in bringing light to your room.

One of the prettiest rooms I ever saw was painted something near the color of the room above in the the comment on Dover White from Roofs and Rafters. It was done on wood with a high sheen paint.....don't know what to call it...somewhere between an aqua and a teal. The high sheen grabbed the light and looked wonderful. It looks from your couch color that you like jewel tones so this would be perfectly daring ...and Happy !

I have the same paneling in my home. While it is beautiful, the color is very dated (80's) and is no longer in style. It also limits what you can do with the room. I am having mine painted white on the cross beams with a mocha color inside the recessed panels. I'll post pics when finished but what is done looks fantastic and really opens up the room. I will be installing a dark hand scraped wood floor when the paint is done.

Oh yes I too love that paneling but if you do paint it use Zinsser primer with a bonding agent. That way you won't have to sand the paneling. I agree I would switch the sectional or get some nice pillows to give you a pop of color in that room. I would also switch out the table either get a new one or paint that one. I would also use different accessories on that table. I would also use different pictures on that wall as well. If anyone of things don't help then paint the paneling.

Hi Joy - thanks for the suggestions. I am horrible at accessorizing. Which table are you referring to? The table in front of the sectional? Any specific suggestions on what to put on the table and walls? Thanks.

Lynn,

At the risk of being indelicate, I don't think that the paneling is the problem. I think that your color pallet and furnishings are dated and that the paneling is lovely. I would start with flipping the sectional to the other side of the room (no longer blocking the lovely window) and slipcover it in a cream or taupe linen. I would also neutralize that maroon wall and go for a more natural aesthetic. After these changes you may find that you like the look of the paneling - if not then paint it a cream or greige-tone, the depth of color depends on the mood you want to set in the room.

Haha! No worries! I appreciate the advice. I love red, but maybe it is outdated. I had this room done in a light beige before I added the sectional and I think I was just looking for a change. It seems like your color choices are so limited when you can't change the color of your walls! Any ideas on where you can find slip covers for sectionals?

I am a DIY king of gal, so I do a lot of changing of things myself. yes table in front of the paneling. I think too much wood tone colors together. Yes you can try Walmart or JCPenney's. They can be pretty pricey though. Why don't you try some pillows instead or put a throw over the corner of it. You can paint the paneling too. My son just painted their paneling and it turned out really good. It is a lot of work though. I would suggest buying a sprayer if you have a lot of it to paint. For your table if it is not a really good piece of furniture you can paint that as well. I am not a professional and just play around until I get the right feel for something. Good luck!!

Lynn my daughter in law just painted kitchen cabinets, wood work through her house the dove white that was mentioned above. It is a pretty color I like it very much. Wow such good ideas.

Red is never out of style! Why yesterday I just added several red sofas to my Pinterest board as well as my Houzz Ideabooks! Some interior designers believe a room is not finished without a pop of red. If the walls were lighter, and more quiet the red would look fantastic. I think your paneling is beautiful! It will also be beautiful painted. Literally anything goes when it comes to design, some ideas are more successful than others, your experiences, desires and tastes are more important than the paneling. It is an inanimate object designed to serve you! I love a brand new clean canvas, but that doesn't mean I am not going to paint on it.

First example is by Miles Redd, the designer's designer famous for his bold use of color.

this next one is not a red sofa, but a red wall from Horchow, this works because the sofa is neutral

this next one by Busybee very cute and contemporary.
https://www.houzz.com/photos/18xx-pine-street-contemporary-home-theater-philadelphia-phvw-vp~55543
In all examples the color red is balanced with light colors, neutrals and natural colors. All three are completely different styles. The first one contemporary/traditional, the second Asian, the last contemporary with a touch of traditional.

Hello Lynn,

Before you start any paint project, you want to ensure that the surface is clean, dry, and dull. When painting over finished paneling, prep is a very important first step. First, rough up the surface of the paneling with a pole sander that has been fitted with a sanding screen (rather than paper). Next, apply an interior oil-based undercoat primer like KILZ Original. It is important not to use a latex base because it would allow moisture to get underneath the paint, causing the paneling to swell and mildew to grow. For the grooves in the paneling, use spackle to fill in gaps and allow it to dry about two hours before sanding. Finish the wall with another coat of oil-based sealer and allow it to dry.
Now the surface can be treated like drywall so you can proceed with applying your preferred top coat.

You can purchase KILZ Original at your local Home Depot store!

I hope that helps. Please let us know how it goes, we always love to see before and after photos!

I agree with:

Kaleidoscope Interiors

At the risk of being indelicate, I don't think that the paneling is the problem. I think that your color pallet and furnishings are dated and that the paneling is lovely.

You can sometimes get lucky with slipcovers online (Surefit) or just have a seamstress do them custom. You may be able to keep the cost down by using drop-cloths from any home improvement store (its cheaper than buying fabric by the yard). Pull everything out of the room except the sectional and then be VERY selective on anything that you allow back in. Does it add to the room in significant way? (color, texture, balance? If not then you don't want it in there. Up the scale on your accessories and remember that "less is more".

And yes red is wonderful, color is wonderful... but I understood the goal to be light and bright.

I was just looking for an update........Have you painted?

I can't believe it's been 5 years since I started this post! I ended up not painting the paneling...I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Recently I stumbled upon this product called Tempaint. It's removable paint. I think this color is a little severe, but wanted to get your thoughts. I would kind of like to go with padded burlap in the recessed areas but have no clue how to go about that. Would love suggestions and examples if anyone can help! : )