Paneled walls are staging a bit of a retro comeback. However, chances are if you have 30-year-old wood paneling, it doesn't look cool or retro, but dark and dated. How can you update the look? You have several options.
Removing It
Sometimes paneling has been attached directly to the studs. If this is the case, removing it will be easy. You'll have to hang new sheetrock and remove and replace the trim, but you'll essentially have a new room.
If the paneling has been glued to the underlying walls, the damage caused by removal may require extensive wall repair. Similarly, if your home is older with plaster walls, the paneling may have been hung to hide crumbling plaster. Figure out what's behind the paneling and decide how much work you want to invest.
Top Coat It
If it is securely attached and you don't want it to look like painted paneling but like regular walls, it can be top coated with drywall mud.
You will need to clean and prime the walls with a good bonding primer. Caulk gaps. Skim coat to hide seams, grooves and irregularities. I do not recommend trying to achieve a perfect, smooth finish. Apply a texture; it's quite easy and you can be creative. Take extra care along baseboards and around trim for a clean look. Prime and paint with two coats of your desired finish.
Wallpaper It
Clean and prime the paneling. Using a wallpaper liner is the key to your success. You can buy this at any wall covering store. Make sure to hang it horizontally. Hang the wallpaper as directed. Consider textured or paintable wallpaper.
Painting Directly Over the Paneling
Painting directly over the paneling is your easiest option. Follow these steps:
 | If removing your wallpaper would cause extensive damage to your wall, painting over it may be your only alternative. It is possible to paint over wallpaper, and with a little work, you can hide all the seams too. |
You can paint over wallpaper, especially if you are willing to put in the time to cover up the texture with primer and drywall mud. However, it won't work if you are working with old or improperly applied wallpaper. |
The cheapest and easiest way to freshen up a room is with a fresh coat of new paint. New paints on the market allow you to paint everything from paneling to bathroom tiles. Here area few suggestions for painting common problem areas. |
If you want to know how to paint over paneling successfully, you need to take a good look at the grooves on the paneling. Some people don't mind keeping the grooves, but others want a smoother effect. |
Many people like wood paneling precisely because it has a little texture. If you want to brighten up a room, here is how to paint paneling while still giving your walls a textured finish. |
