I would just leave it -- potential buyers are just going to figure it's your taste in art and not really think anything of it. If anything, it's the paneling that's going to be off-putting to some, although savvy buyers will look right past that, too -- it's fixable. But, be prepared to give an allowance to remove paneling if someone asks for it in an offer. Price the house accordingly based on overall condition/updates needed and it will sell.

How is the mural attached to the paneling? Does the mural have any artistic value?

I would leave since you don't want to do anything with the paneling. Because the paneling behind the mural is likely to be several shades lighter or darker in color than the rest of the paneling that has been exposed for decades. Making a bad situation even worse. It is almost a sure thing that the new owners are going to remove both the mural & the paneling anyway.

Tell your wife that you bought her a 120" TV and you knew just where to put it!

Lindsey and Stax, you guys cracked me up! the bucket was for a leak (since fixed). I was hoping you wouldn't notice lol. TV? I measured the mural and it's 12 ft long and 5 ft tall- that's not a TV, that's a movie screen. The mural is on a plaster wall, not on the paneling. Finally, I suspect you are correct MXK. We've been beating this house into submission for 6 months and I think we're done. My husband is exhausted and I'm right behind him. We weren't planning on going into rehab but we started fixing dad's house to benefit him. Sadly, he died after the floor was half done and then one thing led to another.

Thank you everybody for your input and giggles. 🙂

I think it’s fantastic that you guys were improving your dad‘s home, I am so sorry for your loss! I understand the need to finish, but also be done. I have a few suggestions.

If you leave it and do staging...

I recently showed a house that had a very large IKEA picture, the one with the rope Bridge over a canyon, they put an eating bar/desk up against it so you were facing it while you sat there and it became your view. It was pretty cool. Try a long bar/desk/play/work station against it? Add some light. Make it chair or stool height depending on which lands where it shows the best. OR how about a table with two chairs facing each other, think picnic, flowers, etc...

Maybe stage a work out area right in front of it? A couple large pilate balls, yoga mats, hand weights on a little shelf? You can find used stationary bikes that aren’t very heavy, face them towards the mural. If you have a large mirror lean it up against the mural.

These are a little more work...

Wallpaper is hot now and comes in easy to apply vinyl, can you cover it? Cut the wrinkle out if it gets in your way of laying it flat.

I know people don’t like painted wallpaper because it’s hard to strip but, in this case, someone will probably remove the paneling so it’s not really a big hassle. Paint it light (cut, patch the wrinkle) add a geometrical design using painters tape, maybe in gold to match the frame?

Edit: You also can just leave it and call attention to all of the other updated areas in the house. If your market is hot it will not matter at all. Good luck with your project!

There is a wallpaper that is meant to be installed over a not perfect wall (or ceiling)…anaglypta, which is a thick, embossed paper. It comes in hundreds of designs and is usually painted over. Brewster wall coverings has a large selection.

https://www.brewsterwallcovering.com/anaglypta-wallpaper-paintable

The mural is on a plaster wall, not on the paneling.

I know the best would be to remove paneling, frame and mural

Absolutely.

but thats not happening because I don't know how it's attached to the wall (paneling) and don't want to create more work fixing a wall.

Easy enough to figure out. Remove the outlet cover and probe behind the paneling with a long bread knife. It may be glued and nailed or it may just be nailed. Even if it is glued, there is very little of that end wall that is covered with paneling. So there wouldn't be lot of wall that needs repair.

If only nailed, then I would remove ALL of the paneling in that room. If glued & nailed, you can stop there and paint that end wall. (Use Gardz to prime the wall before painting to lock down any residual glue after removing the mural.)

Does the mural have any intrinsic artistic value?

mtvhike, no value what so ever. It's an eyesore.