Just to be sure you want to strip it and keep the natural wood color? Or do you want to paint it to lighten up the space .

The plan is to strip it and stain it with alot lighter of a color. However not sure if there is an easier way to sand those grooves because we have about 800sq feet to do.

You don’t want to attempt mechanical abrasion please. No one has that much time. Maybe a lighter glaze. Consult a finisher please.

To make the wood lighter how could you just apply a lighter glaze?

In a coner we are trying Strypeeze and seeing a little result but still not as light as we would like.

The wood is really pretty. What style are you going for? Have you considered a "white wash" finish, rather than stripping it?

Depending on the wood species and age, it may end up barely any different than it is now.

That’s heart pine. It won’t get much lighter even with chemical stripper and a water based poly. Glazing is the only thing that will make it lighter, or of course paint.

Im trying to make the room a little more modern. Lighten all wood and put a white trim around bottom and windows. Change hardware in built in and make a seating area between the two to cover the radiator.

It probably has a clear oil finish that ambered over time. rug . Id change the furnishings to light and add a light rug. Better lighting. Or, remove the paneling and replace with wallboard.

Note how Sarah Richardson, Canadian designer, white washed the pine paneling in her show (YouTube) “Sarah’s Cottage.” I think that might be the look that you want.

I have 5his exact paneling and after years of debate painted it white. I LOVE it painted and should have done it years ago. It has so much character but painted brings in so much light.

You have a covered window and one ceiling light. The wood isn’t making your room dark.

It’s impossible to lighten this room by restaining the wood. Consider painting all but one wall to keep it as an accent. A friend had an all paneled office and he painted the walls white but just kept the ceiling wood, which made the room have light, texture and cohesion.

The other idea would be to use more lighting, light furniture and rugs but leave the walls as they are. Washing them down might get them cleaner, which will make them look better.

I have to agree if more modern is the aim then paint and BTW you will need 2 coats of really good primer to do that. I look for shellac primer when dealing with pine for sure.. Then get some really good lighting happening in that space before choosing any color for walls , get a nice rad cover built and of course change the window coverings short drapes are never attractive That TV should be wall mounted with a nice low cabinet underneath so that the TV can be at the proper viewing height . If you want help with anything else you need to post pics of the whole space . BTW do not strat a new post just add pics in a comment here.

The room already has new light fixtures on way and with the laylout of room the tv has to go above fire place and the new furniture centered around that. When we moved in we just kept what we had until we could remodel so new furniture and area rug is coming. Also taking down plate rack at top and changing curtains. Painting fireplace white with a white trim going all around bottom if we can get this wood lighten floors being professionally done. Here is the room from different angles if it help.

I have a similar issue…painter stated it would be less labor to just remove the paneling and replace it with what I want. Could also consider painting some and leaving some to break up all of the wood. Caution on removing the plate rack…stain underneath will probably not match and will leave you with a headache if it doesn’t!

Grit your teeth, take a deep breath, and have professionally painted by someone who knows how. Not a task for amateurs with all the groves. OR compare professional painting costs with taking down and dry walling which solves all the problems. Can insulate at same time. I painted first and 10 years later completely tore out and renovated the whole room. You just moved in so no nostalgia to deal with. Took years for me to make that decision. Also wished had done sooner. The separate pine strips may shrink and expand over the seasons showing gaps. Nice large room but agree difficult TV placement. Wonderful windows for light in all your rooms. Peeking at kitchen/dining, over done valances in kitchens are very dated. Nothing or shades if need to control light.

Kitchen will be remodeled after living room. When we first moved in it was yellow and had fake greenery everywhere. We started on one side of house and worked our way down. I really was hoping to keep the wood as its just that diffent look that you wont see around here and know it will look great if done right.

How high are your ceilings?I ask because I have dealt with a similar paneling situation and the "plate rack" you referenced may turn out to be a trim piece used to cover the gap between the 8' panels at the bottom and the short piece added to reach ceiling height at the top. We did not have all those knots to deal with, but did the following: Clean with TSP (tri-sodium phosphate,) Rinse, Let dry, Lightly sand, Tack off sanding dust, Prime with 2 coats KILZ or Zinzer, Paint with 2 coats of your color.

If sofa is grey-green- sunset, dusky colors can be nice looking.

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If you paint walls a light neutral, maybe another green will complement wood.

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No one mentioned lightening the hardwood floors.

Ceiling are 7 1/2 feet up.

All is being sanded. Walls by hand, machine on floor.

The first picture with the tulip is beautiful.

Good luck!

If your floor refinishing job includes sanding, then go for no stain and get a gorgeous natural wood look on those floors. After you sand, clean and seal the wood paneling, a lighter color scheme for the furniture will also help.

Essentially, you can keep the wood walls as the interesting feature and lighten up everything around it. Your floors look like real hardwood which gives you this option. With your new lighting, it will be a cozy room for the family.

Slowly underway. The trim is going to be painted white and i am planing on keeping the drawers natural wood. i want the handels to be natural color so what color do i make the hinges?

Whitewash the wood walls with a mix of paint and water applied to the wood and then wiped off to the desired color.