Why not just paint it?

Not popcorn! Agree, what is wrong with painting the ceiling?

Someone already painted the walls--paint the ceiling to match. The pattern will be nice.

You could also paint the inbetween boards and leave the beams unpainted as an accent.

If you don't like it just pull it down. It should come off fairly easy unless they used the glue you will pull some paper down if there is sheetrock and you will need to skim-coat the entire ceiling or just lay-over 1/4" sheetrock, tape, and paint.

Other than that, it adds ambiance to the room if you into this type of setting.

If you do paint it, don't paint the beams.

I may be weird, but I like the ceiling just as it is especially with the floor and the painted walls. It has character that most new homes are missing today. You could go so many directions with this space: cozy cabin, traditional, boho, MCM (like a classic Hollywood star’s getaway home), or rustic chic. Ok, that last one sounds like an oxymoron, but I’m seeing something like farmhouse chic but with a warmer palette and without all the white shiplap (insert eye roll here).

I wouldn't pull the wood off the ceiling it would devalue the house. If I was looking at this home and another with a plain dry wall ceiling I'd pay more for your wood ceiling. MCM is huge right now and who knows how long it will continue. I've been into it since I found my first piece nearly 20 years ago.

If my search was correct and for the us clueless interior design oafs. MCM = Mid-Century Modern.

Thanks, sdello. I was wondering whether it meant "multi-channel madness," "man crush Monday," or "met customer man." (see here.)

I'm sort of conflicted about this room. It's too busy for my taste, but darn it, it DOES have character.

Something to consider:

There's an argument that homes are living places that change with the times. And yet... every time I hear about someone who wants to rip out a feature of his or her 1950s or 1960s or 1970s or whatever house, to make it look like every other house built within the last 10 years, I think about what old house fans go through.

After previous owners in previous decades spent tens of thousands of dollars "updating" their 1920s and earlier homes, these current owners now are spending tens of thousands MORE restoring the distinctive features that those previous owners casually gutted and trashed, sawed off, painted over, and/or drywalled over.

It may be me, but this looks like pine t&g, not paneling. It would be a sin to yank it all down, but you're the one who has to live with it, not us. I agree with those who have said leave the beams be and paint the rest. Another poster was on the money about what to do if you do yank it down. It's possible there is nothing on the other side. If there's an attic above it, go up and see if there's drywall.

It looks like high-quality tongue and groove to me, too, and it's a fairly large area. If you rip it off, you won't know what's under there until it's at least partially removed, and then you may have triggered a whole new set of time-consuming challenges, including having to completely sheetrock raw space, repair or replace sheetrock that's already there, but in bad condition, or deal with an old, asbestos-containing popcorn ceiling. I suggest you accomplish some other renovation-worthy tasks before taking the time to "improve" this ceiling. Paint it if you must, but just remember the old saying: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I love the ceiling! I would much rather have that than this weird textured ceiling I have right now. Popcorn ceilings are considered "dated" nowadays anyway.. if you want a change you could paint it. Just not the beams pls

Another vote for painting ceiling except beams.

That is a beautiful ceiling! Someone spent a lot of time and money on it, and it would be a real crime to paint it.

If you absolutely can’t live with it, I wonder if you could find someone to remove it for you if you give them the materials.

beautiful as it is.

Dear God no. Do not paint the ceiling. Save your time and money and get some better windows and get rid of the white shelving thing. Also, popcorn is just gross. I am actually ripping down the drywall from the ceiling in my place to replace it with wood.

A year and a half ago so I am sure their decision has long since been made and the work finished.