Can you show a picture? Is it 70 cheap paneling or pretty wood in a grand old home pre 1950s?

I have a Maine lake cottage that is all wood paneling. Typical of most cottages in this area. It’s tongue and groove pine board, not the cheap sheet paneling from the ‘60’s. My bathroom doesn’t have a window so it was way took dark. To lighten it up, I painted the walls. First I sanded to smooth it out as much as possible. Then I washed the walls with TSP. I filled in some of the bigger knotholes, but liked the rustic look, so left the smaller as is. I then did a coat of paint with Kilz to cover whatever finish was on the boards. Then did a coat of paint. I painted with a brush to make sure to get into the cracks. It looks great. It’s not all that hard. FYI....it will look rustic no matter what you do so you need to like that look. Good luck!

Please post some pics but IMO no matter what the pannelling is if it makes you crazy paint it. I gree sometimes it is beautiful wood and maybe if we see pics we can help a little more.

I will get pictures up as soon as possible for some other thoughts on painting it or not. Thanks y'all

I would also say paint. There is paintable wallpaper on the market also.

https://www.brewsterwallcovering.com/hang-wallpaper-over-paneling.aspx

Elle I love that picture you posted. Do you think that is paneling? It looks like all walnut to match the floors, but maybe individual slats? Gosh, I'm in love with that look.

I'm guessing Amanda probably has nice (perhaps walnut) paneling from the 50s (like my parents have in their den). It's dark, but is nice (but dark) since they have 8ft ceilings and no can lights, but it's an office library. I personally like it now....it's all back in again, except for the faux grout lines...lol. (I had the uglier 70s paneling (brownish green cast) in my den and ripped it out. Thank God because there were good, clean walls behind it).

Amanda, if you have one room you absolutely hate, maybe you can pull it out to see what the walls look like behind it, then leave it in some rooms?