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jennifer_szpila

What to do with wood paneled walls

12 years ago
Our new home has a room that is paneled with real wood. The ceiling is paneled, too. We also have a fireplace with exposed brick. The room is at the back of the house and gets little light. Although it is nice and dark in there to watch TV, it's very dark. To paint or not to paint? We've thought of painting the walls, but leaving the ceiling and beams.

Comments (20)

  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    My thought is to paint the paneling (it will be beautiful with the tongue and groove) AND the beams. Leave the ceiling and see how that looks.
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    Jennifer Szpila thanked JudyG Designs
  • 12 years ago
    We painted plenty of (blue!) paneling in our old house. You will be surprised what a nice difference it makes. I would leave the ceilings and see how you like it with paint on the walls...it will probably make them pop.

    I am painting the brick walls and backsplash in my kitchen right now...so if you need tips on how to paint brick, I'm your gal, lol.
    Jennifer Szpila thanked simplicitythyme
  • 12 years ago
    I would try putting the tv over the fireplace, too.
  • 12 years ago
    We did look into that, but it was recommended not to do that because of the heat.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    You could strip sand and finish with a light finish. If you elect to lighten the wood in this manner, you would want to finish with a water borne product to keep it light.
    Jennifer Szpila thanked User
  • 12 years ago
    Before you paint; clean with TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) rinse, let dry, lightly sand, tack off sanding dust, damp wipe and let dry. Then prime with 2 coats KILZ or other primer and last add 2 coats of your color. Another option is to prep them as above and then whitewash.
    Jennifer Szpila thanked decoenthusiaste
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Paint walls and leave ceiling for now until you see how you like it.Follow directions from above . prepping is everything.
    Jennifer Szpila thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 12 years ago
    The room looks really nice. Your furniture, rug and drapes do a fantastic job of having a upscale look. Painting the ceiling would lighten the whole room. Light reflects off light colors. Most lamps, floor lamps and light fixtures bounce light off the ceiling. There is gray in your furnishings. Try using the same color on your ceiling
    Jennifer Szpila thanked newman1958
  • 12 years ago
    I painted my walnut den paneling white and it made a huge difference. I think it took 4 coats of Kilz primer and 4 finish coats though! The grey in the picture above would be a lot easier to cover.
    Jennifer Szpila thanked smarterthandog
  • 12 years ago
    I will definitely need to wait until spring to start all that sanding!
  • 12 years ago
    Our den had picture frame paneling. I took mine out in about 4 hrs. Had the walls textured and painted. I love it.
    Everyone I know of that sanded and painted said my was much better.
  • 12 years ago
    MCS - What product(s) and how did you turn the fireplace to the multi-color grey brick? I have been looking all over for how to do this!
  • 12 years ago
    Take it down. At least off the walls. If the room looks nice to you after you repair and paint, then you're good to go. If not, then paint the ceiling.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Perhaps you would consider keeping the cedar and modernist the style of furnishings. Use black, white, beige and grey in more contemporary and linear shapes.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Like this...
  • 12 years ago
    I have the same issue in my dining room with wood paneling. Is it necessary to sand the wood before applying primer and paint?
  • 12 years ago
    It would be more trouble but think of painting the ceiling and leaving the walls wood.
  • 12 years ago
    Try pulling your rug out toward the fireplace so it doesn't stop at the edge of the sofa. The sofa and rug should be balanced with each other instead of being off center.
  • 12 years ago
    It looks to me like you don't have enough natural light entering the room so to make the most of what natural light you have you would have to paint the walls, ceiling and get a large light colored carpet/rug. Are sky lights or solar tubes an option? Adding more windows an option?