Except for the ceiling, I would paint white

Paint it white and get a great beach look for that room on the water.

yeah, I feel like it has one of the best views in the house but we are struggling with how to decorate it to make it feel welcoming. we do have oak trim throughout the house and you can see this room from our living room so trying to figure out how to lighten it up while also matching with the rest of our home. I like the idea of leaving the ceiling. that could work!

Def paint the paneling white...but leave ceiling and window trim as is. From another thread, Alabaster (SW) appears to be a great white that would work well with your trim and ceiling.

Which way is the room oriented? I would hate to be blinded by white...

Just some beachy/nautical inspiration...

Start with ditching the refrigerator, and head for the paint store. You won't be blinded by white.

Sunrooms should feel light and bright. Painting the paneling in white or a light color that you like and is fun will help the room not feel like a cave.

Sorry to disagree...I have lived on the water and IF the sun sets over it, you can be blinded in a white sunroom...

Hence my question about orientation...That would dictate the color for me.

I know that fridge is so ugly. we use it all of the time for water and cocktails on the boat, but probably does need to go! haha. The room faces South @pennydesign

I wish you lived near me, I'd send my carpenter to take it out and put up drywall for you and then I could use it :) Seriously, I understand the want to lighten up but what your wanting to paint is not ugly paneling, it looks like real wood planks. See if there are any people in your area who reclaim wood, you could do a trade with someone and get the kind of walls you want.

Can you give us a floorplan? I'm wondering why the sofa isn't facing the wonderful view?

I'm in the no-paint camp, here. I like the natural look of the wood, to be honest. What's going on with the cinder block? I see some dark areas that might indicate dampness...is there dirt banked on the other side?

Everyone needs a beer fridge :)

Super fun room with awesome water view! But this room needs some love. You can replace the big fridge with a small beverage fridge and add open shelving above it for barware and base cab/thrift store sideboard for prep area to mix your cocktails. If the cinder blocks have mold/mildew, remove it and then paint with waterproof sealer/paint. Add a slip cover and fun throw pillows to freshen up the sofa. Once you have spiffed up those things, then take a fresh look at the condition of the paneled walls and window and decide whether to paint. You may want to leave the wood ceiling “as is” for a feature provided its condition is good.

thanks everyone! - @pennydesign I will post a pic, but our living room has 2 large glass windows and a glass door that lead into this room, so that's why a couch can't go on that wall. yeah I am not opposed to the natural wood but it feels very dark. maybe some airy window treatments and new furniture would be start. there was some water damage after a heavy rain. we have that fixed but need to take care of the cinder blocks

@renee c - haha! the wood it is really good condition, i just think that maybe there is too much of it? Our house isn't really cabiny, but this makes it feel that way. Just trying to liven/brighten it up so that we want to spend time in there.

I would definitely start by painting all the walls a creamy ( not stark & not yellowish ) white & see how you like it. You could always continue on with painting the ceiling later, but for now just the walls.

i would still turn the furniture around. float it, whatever. buy something different on craigs list in a lighter color. anything. you are not taking advantage of that room. even a pair of swivel chairs in that same location will give you the same amount of seating with the option to look outside.

i get the fridge. a lighter wall color wall will make it blend better.

We have tongue and groove on ceiling and walls. We had it pickled so it is white but you can still see the grain and knots from the wood. It is bright but goes well with the oak in our adjoining rooms.

the other big challenge with this room is that it is all windows, there are two corners that don't have them, but otherwise you enter the room from our living room which is basically a glass wall (2 large windows and glass door). LOVE the view and all of the light - but could use some help with how to set up some seating. we've thought about even making it into a "guest room" by putting a daybed in there and those blinds that can be pulled down for privacy. so many ideas.. :) just need a functional (and pretty) space, really!

Agreed: white or another pale tone will make the room feel like a sunroom. If the room faces west and gets a lot of afternoon sun and glare, use light-filtering grasscloth roll-up shades: you can still see through them but they cut the glare.

thanks @felizlady - the room faces south.

another thought... I wonder what the effort would be to remove the paneling and turn it horizontal on the walls... so it would look more like shiplap?

Maybe.

To me, though, (because I diy most stuff) I wouldn't bother. Sometimes it's better for your mental health to keep cans that might contain worms, closed. :)

Hang a textured white curtain to cover most of the wall where the anchor is hanging. Is there room for two love seats or even two oversized chairs to face each other and be placed perpendicularly to the lake facing windows?