My Home Design
How can I decorate Wood Panelling?!??
I just moved to a rental house where we have wood panneling in the Living & Dining room. I can't do anything to the walls and I'm really wondering how I can decorate them without spending too much money since we won't be living here but for a year. I really want my house to be inviting but can't figure any decorating ideas out. I'm really worried there is going to be too much brown considering the decor I have now is brown shelving, picture frames and such. Can anyone please help!??
Public Comments
- Ok, if you can't paint the paneling try getting sheets in a design or color you like, or other fabric and staple it to the walls. Make sure you start from the top and keep it smooth going down the walls. I do this every summer for a summer look and works great. You could also look for the peelable wall paper, but would cost more.
- Go to a hardware store and explain your problem I know there are special primers available but can't think what they are called. Once primed, you can paint it anything you like! Here's a link.....
- I bought a house where all the rooms in the upstairs are wood paneling. My solution was to paint them until I get the desire to drywall. Not much is cheaper than paint. Just scuff up the glossy finish with high grit sandpaper first (150+). Then apply a coat of adhesive primer paint. Then paint as many coats of the finished paint that will hide the brown. If you're going to white it could take 3 coats. If you go to a real paint store like Sherwin Williams they can advise you. Don't expect to get any advice at Home Depot or Lowe's.
- Good Luck-- I have been trying to figure out how people could have ever even liked brown paneling!! I hate it-- Did you think about painting it? or even taking some wallpaper and applying it with fabric starch-- the kind you buy in the gallon bottle and mix with water-- you could even do this with your favorite colored fabric--preferably something white or cream colored to help match the starch-. Dip the fabric in starch and apply just like you would wallpaper-- the fabric will stick to the wall when dried. First test a small area on the paneling to perfect your technique-- When you get ready to remove it-- just spray it down with water remove the fabric and wipe the starch away--with hot water-Good luck-- let me know how you like it.
- can you hang things up? If so, hang up some artwork related to outdoors/nature. Put some other pictures (photos) up of nature scenery (lake/mountain/woods). Some sort of (fake but real looking) leaves up against it would look good. Take up some of the space by putting something in front of it. Furniture? A tall tree or plant somewhere along it? Does the paneling lay horizontal or vertical? If vertical, let things sort of "drape". If horizontal, make things line up, use symmetry. Family photos work good too. Maybe you could make it a wall of pictures (if you don't already have one). you shouldn't get rid of the paneling - unless it's really ugly. Maybe you could stain it to look better, and get control of the type of wood, you know, to match things up better.
